Can someone help please

[Seeker]

I am not sure if this was once posted in some shape form or fashion. I am lucky to know how to post on here. Anyway I have a 55-60 glass terrarium ( I think) it's fairly large. (46L by 17 H, and 17w.) I was just reading about surface temp vs. ambient temps. My temps in tank according to the acu-rite digital thermometer/ humidity is 84 on the hot side and 75ish-80 on the cool. When I say 84ish on the hot side I am talking about the temp that is outside of the basking area. If I move it closer to the basking area it gets in the 90's. What I was wondering do I need a uth?, and if so what uth should I get? Couple of problems with the bottom of the tank. One; there is a double pane of glass. When I bought the tank it had a huge crack. So I went to the glass store, and had them cut me a 1/8" thick piece of glass. I never removed the old glass; I just put a bead of silicone around the edge, and placed the new glass on top. It's just about a permafix because the glass was a snug fit to begin with; then the silicone. Two. Substrate; I have repti-bark covering the floor of the tank. I think I have about 1 1/2" to 2" of bark on the bottom. Any idea as to where I should go with this? Oh one thing I did forget about the bottom of the tank there's about an 1/8" bead of silicone. So there's an air pocket between the glasses. I am assuming in total from the bottom of the old glass to the top of the new it's about 3/16" thick. What is your suggestions?

[rabernet]

I am not sure if this was once posted in some shape form or fashion. I am lucky to know how to post on here. Anyway I have a 55-60 glass terrarium ( I think) it's fairly large. (46L by 17 H, and 17w.) I was just reading about surface temp vs. ambient temps. My temps in tank according to the acu-rite digital thermometer/ humidity is 84 on the hot side and 75ish-80 on the cool. When I say 84ish on the hot side I am talking about the temp that is outside of the basking area. If I move it closer to the basking area it gets in the 90's. What I was wondering do I need a uth?, and if so what uth should I get? Couple of problems with the bottom of the tank. One; there is a double pane of glass. When I bought the tank it had a huge crack. So I went to the glass store, and had them cut me a 1/8" thick piece of glass. I never removed the old glass; I just put a bead of silicone around the edge, and placed the new glass on top. It's just about a permafix because the glass was a snug fit to begin with; then the silicone. Two. Substrate; I have repti-bark covering the floor of the tank. I think I have about 1 1/2" to 2" of bark on the bottom. Any idea as to where I should go with this? Oh one thing I did forget about the bottom of the tank there's about an 1/8" bead of silicone. So there's an air pocket between the glasses. I am assuming in total from the bottom of the old glass to the top of the new it's about 3/16" thick. What is your suggestions?

Are you committed to that tank? That's really overkill for a ball python, and I have to imagine it's a pain to completely break down each month for cleaning and disinfecting. I know I hated breaking down my 20 gallon with my first ball python - and rejoiced when I finally admitted defeat and switched him to a tub.

A tank was hell on keeping the proper temps and humidity without constantly fiddling with it.

Ball pythons use belly heat to aid in digestion.

[The Serpent Merchant]

A UTH will do almost nothing with the setup that you are using. The double glass and thick substrate layer will keep the heat from the UTH from getting to your BP. A UTH is completely unnecessary. As long as you provide the right temperatures, how the heat is preceded doesn't matter (as long as it is done so safely).

If you do get a UTH it must be regulated by a thermostat. The least you can expect to spend on a thermostat is $30, but a better thermostat will cost around $100.

I agree with the post above, that tank is going to be a nightmare to maintain. A tub, or PVC cage would be better. Even a smaller tank would help.

[kitedemon]

Belly heat is NOT required for digestion this is a myth. Correct temps are enough.

The tank you have can be made to work and reasonably well. A custom enclosure would be the best option IF you can afford it. I might suggest a different one. Side turning the tank. This will allow the use of a UTH (not for digestion but simplicity it is easier to control) The closed top holds heat and humidity better so it solves that the only problem is ambient air temps and building the door.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...arium-Solution

Something for you to think about. I have two of these in use currently and once the ambient air temps are over come I like it better than most other options I perfer this to my vision enclosure, and it is a toss up over the sly plastics I have. I like my custom plastic ones best then either the tanks and sly equally with the vision slightly behind. I am still not certain but the point is they are very close to a custom system.