heating and tank set up

[jarobin]

Ok, I'm going to do my best to describe my set up because I want to make sure I am doing it right. Right now I have a heat lamp set up sitting on top of the screen top right above the hide. The hide is 9" L X 9.75" W X 4.5" H. In the middle of the tank is the climbing branch, and on the other side the soaking dish. I have both a humidity gauge and a thermometer. Humidity is fine (around 60%) and that one is sitting directly under the lamp. The thermometer is located in the back, directly in the middle of the tank. It is barely reaching 80 degrees. We got the python around 11am. We have to turn the lamp off at night as it is in my step son's room and he won't sleep with the light on. So by 8pm it was about 75-78 degrees according to the thermometer. We are going to have the lamp on a schedule, 7am-8:30pm. I don't remember, but I believe the lamp is 75 watts. It is a Fluker clamp lamp (5.5) but I don't use the clamp. As I said, I sit the lamp on the screen top. This was the lamp that was recommended to me for use for my painted turtle that i no longer own. Should I get a stronger bulb, a second lamp, or a heat pad? If I need to, I'm going to go to the pet store in the morning. If i do need a heat pad, what size? My python is no older than 6 months, and my tank is a 29L. It is set up on top of my step son's wooden dresser, so I don't want to burn it or something.

sorry if i posted this in the wrong section...still getting used to the site

[Eric Doane]

I would get a uth, and a thermostat. This way you will have proper temps at all times. Also you should get another hide. That way there is one on the hot and cool side. The tank is a little small as well. I am using a 20 gallon for my juvenile. I have had her for about 2 months and she out grew the 10 gallon I had her in.

[jarobin]

i don't really think its too small. at least not right now. my tank is basically 30 gallons and the snake is a baby "no older than 6 months" according to a sales associate. its about a foot, maybe a foot and a half and no wider than my thumb. The tank is at least double the size of the one it was being kept in at the pet store with 2 other snakes. Two people at the store told me that my 29 long was more than sufficient for at least a year. I don't intend to keep it in that tank for a long time.

what size uth? and where should i put it? they have ones that come with an attatched thermostat? any suggested brands?

[Eric Doane]

Sorry I saw 29l and thought you meant liter. That will be more than fine. The uth's are labeled for tank size. You can use foil tape to apply so you can remove later. I have not seen one with a built in thermostat. You can get a thermostat right next to the uth in the pet store or use a rheostat (dimmer switch). As far as brands go people go back and forth on that. It kinda depends what you are willing to spend.

[kitedemon]

I am going to add some. You need to provide heat all day and all night. You could get a Under tank heater (UTH) or a Ceramic heat emitter (CHE) that is a light bulb thing that is IR only no human visible light. You need a second hide.

Here are some good care sheets,

http://www.vpi.com/publications/the_...hon_care_sheet
http://www.theurbanpython.com/caring-ball-python

Personally I prefer UTH my self, they require a control a rheostat (best in stable unchanging room temps) or an on off T-stat (best with glass bottoms) hydrofarm is one in common usage. Or a proportional T-stat (handles everything really well.)

Ideally you should have temps taken inside the hides (hot and cool) as well as the ambient air temps. The hot side hide should be 88-94 personally I like 90-92 it is in the middle and allows some errors. The cool end can be 78-82 again I like to keep the temps at or near 80. Ambient temps from 79-85 are fine again 80-82 work well. They are fairly important and often ignored.

Your ambient temp range is ok but what is the hot hide temps and you really need to add a cool hide. If you get a UTH you NEED a control they get very hot unregulated!

[jarobin]

today the tank, without changing anything or adding anything yet, is at 82 so far. i didn't get a uth yet. but i will, plus a thermostat. right now my bp seems ok in the hide. i went to the pet store and they said it was ok for now but when it gets colder i should get the uth. there are so many different opinions and preferences. it's a bit confusing since this is my first snake.

[Spyder3985]

From personal experience the pet store people dont know jack about proper care. Your best bet is to listen to the advice givin by the wonderful people here.

[Eric Doane]

from personal experience the pet store people dont know jack about proper care. Your best bet is to listen to the advice givin by the wonderful people here.

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