Need some help - my first BP

[gooli]

Hello, newbie here
I got my very first BP (female, 18") last Friday.
I made the mistake of not doing research before getting the snake and made some mistakes. Now that I got a book and found this site I am determined to get things right. So..I need some of help.

First, my setup:

20 Gallon Long Glass Terrarium
Substrate: Aspen
Zoomed Heat Pad (10-20 gallon rating) - placed on left end
75w Red Bulb - placed over right end
Large Water Dish - placed in center of tank
Hides: 2 - one on each end
Dual Digital Therometer\Hygrometer by Exo Terra

1. I am getting a temp reading of about 78-79 in the evening...it was warmer at around 84 a few hours ago in the afternoon. Humidity at 48%-50%. Should I try to increase these numbers? to what and how?

2. Do I run both the light and the heat pad 24/7?

3. The water dish takes a lot of space - can i get away with a smaller one? I keep seeing these small water dishes in videos - mine is huge.

4. Is the 75w bulb positioned correctly - do i need to change it?

Thank you for all the help. Here's a photo too:

[Qetu]

uhh im not going to give you too much advice but there are several posts in this section (husbandry) that will answer all those questions. if you wait on one of the vets though they will tell you everything you need to know. im fairly new to the herp world too but this is a great site and ive learned a ton. stick around and goodluck with your baby ball!

[Kaorte]

1. I am getting a temp reading of about 78-79 in the evening...it was warmer at around 84 a few hours ago in the afternoon. Humidity at 48%-50%. Should I try to increase these numbers? To what and how?
Is this your hotside temperature? If so it is far too low. It should be around 92*F. I see that your probe is placed under the lamp (at least, I think that is your probe). Move it to right above the UTH (right on the glass under the substrate). You should not have a significant night drop in temps, they should be consistent 24/7. Humidity is fine
2. Do I run both the light and the heat pad 24/7?
If you need them both to keep propor temps, then yes.
3. The water dish takes a lot of space - can i get away with a smaller one? I keep seeing these small water dishes in videos - mine is huge.
Yeah you can use a smaller one. Some people say you need a bowl big enough for them to soak in but the only reason they soak (usually) is because they have mites, and that is a problem.
4. Is the 75w bulb positioned correctly - do i need to change it?
You have it on the right side (the cool side) but I think the wattage is a bit high. This lamp should be used to bring your ambient temperatures to around 80-82*F

[Montie Python]

heres the link to the caresheetshttp://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/...warticle&id=59

Its like a bible to me

[blackcrystal22]

Things are looking pretty good. I see you have one side of the log hide blocked off, that is a good thing.

A smaller water bowl is fine. Ceramic small dog dishes are used frequently as well as ceramic cooking bowls (used for some type of yogurt dish I think).

Put the probe thermometer under the substrate above the UTH. Then tell us that temperature.
What are you using to control the UTH? Most UTH's get far too hot for ball pythons and could burn them uncontrolled.

If your humidity is staying at about 60% then keeping the lamp is fine, but is removable if you can acquire proper temperatures without it.

[gooli]

Thank you so much for taking the time to help!

Kaorte....i am getting about 91-92 temp reading on the substrate right over the heat pad...and about 79 on the substrate on the cool side. The ambient temp is 82 this morning and humidity 51%.

Montie..i read the caresheet and have a copy in the bathroom Some of these specifics are not covered.

Blackcrystal..i have no controller on the UTH..i here these zoomeds are good ones and work like they should.

Another newbie question....
Do i have to much substrate? i read it should be 1/2" - mine is like 2".

[Neal]

I wouldn't recommend keeping your heating lamp on 24/7, and if you need to do that, I would recommend getting a different bulb so it's not so bright 24/7, like maybe a moonglo bulb for night.

As far as a smaller water dish, the pet stores sell a ceramic water bowl dish, and so does petco/petsmart, they have different sizes, get an appropriate size one for your snake:

http://www.petco.com/Assets/product_...443041925B.jpg

Also I would do away with the vines, and the plant thing on the hot side, and I would get another exo-terra hide like you have on the left side for the right side.

[gooli]

Neal...it's a red bulb...im told they cannot see the light at all - just feel heat

[Neal]

Neal...it's a red bulb...im told they cannot see the light at all - just feel heat

Oh wow, you certainly are right. I totally missed the red bulb, your fine then. I guess because of the flash of the camera, or light being on in the room, it kinda made the red light blend in. They can see light.

[tonkatoyman]

The only thing I would add to what has already been said is that you may want to reduce the substrate to 1/2" and if you have a lot of problems controlling the humidity you can seal off 1/2 of the top to prevent humidity loss. keep a close watch on the temps because I do not know any one who does not use a thermostat to control and set them. Sometimes they can spike.