Aspen Bedding

[tronda1985]

I recently got a ball python, we assume he is about 2-3 years old and is about 4-5 feet long. We actually just brought him home today. We have the tank all set up, still working on adjusting everything now that he is in there. My general question is how think should the bedding be? I am worried that we have it too think and he cannot feel the UTH, but I also worry that if it is not thick enough he will get burnt. Any suggestions?

[Tyler_Royality]

what UTH are you using? is it controlled by a thermostat at all? personally in aquariums I prefer heating with light bulbs, and depending on night time temperatures if you need to warm the tank at night use a red zoomed bulb, or a ceramic bulb.

IMO its easier to monitor temperatures this way in aquariums, and safer imo as well.

[Kaorte]

what UTH are you using? is it controlled by a thermostat at all? personally in aquariums I prefer heating with light bulbs, and depending on night time temperatures if you need to warm the tank at night use a red zoomed bulb, or a ceramic bulb.

IMO its easier to monitor temperatures this way in aquariums, and safer imo as well.

I disagree. Heat lamps suck out humidity which causes just as much of a problem as low temps. Not to mention they burn out quite often and that can get costly.


OP: You need a thermostat to control the UTH. The cheapest model is the reptitemp 500r. If you have a probe thermometer, place it on the glass above the UTH, under the substrate. If the temperature gets above 95* then unplug the UTH.

[Tyler_Royality]

humidity can easily be controlled by a hide box (which u should always have when using an aquarium) and a correctly placed water dish. humidity is going to excape no matter what heat source you use in an aquarium. I also suggest covering 50% of the top with either a peice of wood or a sheet of metal cut to size if you have access to it.

You can use the UTH with a thermostat. this is a great option. I just prefer using lamps for aquarium heating. Also for heat during the day, a standard incadescent bulb is all you need, and u can get a pack of 4-6 for a couple bucks. if your night time temperatures drop to low and u need a red zoo med light, those are more expensive, around $12.

[I<3Dreamsicles]

I disagree. Heat lamps suck out humidity which causes just as much of a problem as low temps. Not to mention they burn out quite often and that can get costly.


OP: You need a thermostat to control the UTH. The cheapest model is the reptitemp 500r. If you have a probe thermometer, place it on the glass above the UTH, under the substrate. If the temperature gets above 95* then unplug the UTH.

A heat lamp is deffinatley much better then an un regulated UTH. I have a 75 watt red heat light that constantly has temps of like 92. Now since its getting cold out its in the mid-high 80's But its better then my UTH going up to like 120ºF which can and will happen. Mine hasnt burnt out yet ive had it for four months so far running at least 12 hrs a day 7 days a week. And it was like $7.

But yes a UTH and thermostat is better. (just got my tstat today) but UNTILL then, a heat lamp is safer then an un-regulated UTH.

[CoolioTiffany]

Well, if you have the UTH controlled by a thermostat or rheostat, you won't have any problems worrying about how hot it gets. Though, you will definitely need a digital thermometer to tell the temperature of the heat the UTH is giving off. UTHs can get extremely hot and can even burn the snake so it is very important to use a thermostat (the digital thermometer probe should go underneath the subtrate onto the bottom of the enclosure and put the probe right in the middle of the UTH).

For the substrate, I just use paper towels. I keep my Ball pythons in tubs, and don't really need to use anything besides the paper towels. Aspen Bedding can take a while to warm up, depending on how much Aspen you have in the enclosure.

[blackcrystal22]

UTHs benefit a ball python better in the long run and are a much better heat source for humidity. Why would I want to put a second humid hide in all my tubs? Not that I could put a heat lamp on them or anything.

If the UTH is unregulated, it needs to be. Get a thermostat ASAP or remove it and put up a temporary heat lamp. Get a temporary light dimmer and thermometer with probe and have it read 94-96F on the glass inside the enclosure with the UTH under the glass outside the enclosure.

Good luck.

[tronda1985]

Thanks for all the help, this is all very confusing. The abbr. really don't help the situation either. I do appriecate the information that everyone has provided. I am going to keep monitoring him and his temperature until we can be sure that what has been done is working. I'll make changes as I go. Thanks again.