Heating question

[Emcneice]

Just a quick question about heating. I have my ball in a 40 gallon tank and the temp is dropping a little bit to much at night. What side of the tank would I put a heating pad? And what size would be best. It is going down to 72 at night on the cool side and 77 on the warm side. I want to bring it up to an ambient temp of 80.


Cheers

[NH93]

You can find heating pads at a pet store for your size tank (should say on the packaging, for a 30-40 gal - or find one to cover about 1/3 of the bottom outside of the tank). You would also need a thermostat for that to keep it at roughly 90F for the warm side. Some people also use heat emitters for the ambiet air temperature, to maintain the 80+F needed day and night.
I personally use a red bulb, so I can see my BP in the evening. I have a 50W and it keeps the air about 81-82F during the day and 80-79F at night. But, he's in a 15gal. You may need a 75-100W (don't quote me on that though, I'm still new).
You do NOT want your temps to drop below 75F, and a night time drop is not required (and advised against, as I'm sure you've already read somewhere)!

Good luck

[SlitherinSisters]

Tanks can be really hard to keep warm enough, especially large tanks. You may have to get two different heat pads to cover the entire floor of the tank. You'll want to set one a little lower with a dimmer or a thermostat. You will also probably need a couple heat lamps and/or a heat emitter.

[Neal]

I've found that heating pad on both sides works well for my tank.

[Emcneice]

Thank you for the info I put a heating pad in and a stronger bulb. I managed to get the basking spot up to 97 and the ambient temp to 79.

[Borgy76]

I am by far an expert, hell i don't even own a snake yet. I think from what i have been researching the past few weeks that 97 might be a little too hot. From what i have gathered 80 degrees on the cool side, 90 degrees on the warm side. Plenty of seasoned people her though that can provide better help then myself.

[Neal]

Yea, the hottest you want that basking spot to be is 92. I would say more around 90 would be safer.