Need help w/ keeping proper temperatures

[xENViOUS 5x]

Hello everyone, it's been a few years since I've been here. Had to get rid of the last Ball due to deploying but now I am finally done with that. So anyways not looking for blasting because I've previously owned a Ball before but my issue is I've never had such a huge tank to manage. I have a 55 gallon tank and need advice on keeping proper temperatures. I have a 50w IR light on the hot side but it doesn't seem to heat it enough. Tried wrapping foil on the cool side to better regulate but no luck with that. If anyone could please give me advice I would highly appreciate it. Thank you

xENViOUS 5x

[mackynz]

Is it both ambient and hot spot that are a problem? A UTH hooked up to a thermostat would work for the hot spot. Someone else could help more with the lights for heat side of things, I don't use them.

Depending on if the top of the tank is a screen this might help trap some air and keep the ambient up. It will also boost humidity nicely.

Unfortunately glass just isn't a great insulator.

[martin82531]

I would look into a PVC enclosure. I have a T8 from animal plastics and they work great for holding temps and humidity.

http://www.animalplastics.com/terrestrial/T8/T8.htm

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-With-Pictures!



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[mackynz]

I would look into a PVC enclosure. I have a T8 from animal plastics and they work great for holding temps and humidity.

http://www.animalplastics.com/terrestrial/T8/T8.htm

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-With-Pictures!



Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

x2 I have one as well, they're great.

[whispersinmyhead]

You will probably have to do a few things but more info and a pic of your setup would help.

Without having more info here are some suggestions. Cover most of the top accept where you heat lamp is with acrylic or foil. Get a 100 watt CHE (ceramic heat emitter) or deep red (IR) bulb and a dimmer switch. Walmart carries dimmer switches on a cord for $10. This way you can dial it to where it needs to be just to warm the air. You will have to still monitor this carefully and some would suggest that it should also be controlled by a seperate thermostat.

You should also have a UTH controlled by a good thermostat (Herpstat or V.E.) for your warm spot. Set that so you have 90-92.

Now because this setup requires CHE to achieve good ambient/ cool side temps you will probably want to use cypress mulch or cocoa choir for substrate because they will hold humidity well and don't mould easily.

I would seriously consider the caging choices mentioned in the above posts. A good cage that is easy to clean and maintain will let you enjoy your snake.

[trdancer]

If you don't want to get a new tank, use a 100w infrared light for ambient, 150w infrared for basking/hot side and get a dimmer like previous have said.