Light??

[gozetec02]

Ok I have my baby Ball Python in a small Sterilite container. The temps are not ideal so i want to incorperate a heat lamp. I made one that was bigger because there was a lot of clearance between the light and the floor of the container. I have a 30 Watt Black light just sitting around. My question is. If i put that 30 watt bulb on a container that is 6" from floor to lid will it be too close? And do you think it will get too hot? I know i have lots of ventilation the lid is drilled with lots of holes.

[Marla]

Do you have metal mesh inset in the lid to support the light fixture? If not, the fixture will probably get hot enough to melt the plastic, and you don't want that for several reasons. If you do, then 30 watts might very well not overheat the area, but I would want to test it without the snake in there first to be on the safe side. Alternatively, you could try reducing the thickness of your substrate or upping the temp on your heat pad if those are options.

[gozetec02]

You know i probibly should just break down and buy a human heat pad. I have one of those small zoomed ones that i have had for a long time and its actualy stuck to the shelf and not the plastic so it doesn't get too hot or maybe it needs to cover more surface area. I dont have mesh on it now but i can put the same stuff as i put on my other one. In actuality i really want to stay away from the lights they kill the humidity in these plastic containers. I use aspen bedding about 1/2" all around but he likes to rearange it the way he likes it. I just noticed this mourning that the ambient temp was 76 so that freaked me out i don't need an RI on my hands.

[Smynx]

I agree with Marla. If you can avoid the light at all, do so. Since the temperatures have warmed up in WV, I've been able to discontinue using a lot of the lights we had to use in the winter. The difference it makes in your ability to hold humidity is unbelievable. I also have my 3 new babies in sterlites. They have about an inch of shredded aspen as substrate and a human heating pad underneath half the container. I have to keep the heating pads on low or it gets too warm. Your problem could be too many holes in the lid. I only have holes around the sides of the containers. The heat could be getting sucked right out of your lid.

[Marla]

Yep, if you're using an older heat pad, it may just be time to break down and buy a new one. I will definitely recommend using a human heat pad with Sterilite housing, though, as I can tell you the reptile pads can warp the plastic, which is a pain even if you have the substrate thick enough that it's not too hot for the snake.

By the way, Smynx, nice to see you back! Looks like you've been keeping busy.

[gozetec02]

I think your right Smynx. Jojo lives in a 90qt container and the ambient temp is anywhere between 79 at night and 83 during the day but i have a light on it. The humidity does drop to around 50% if i dont mist the substrate every other day or so. Maybe on that one I will turn the lid and put the screen part at the cool end and have no ventalation on the warm end that way the heat is forced to the cool side. I might try that. I am going to get a heat pad as soon as i can.

[Smynx]

Thanks, Marla. I've had my hands full, that's for sure, but things seem to be calming down now. The new babies are settled in, and it's good to be back!

[Marla]

Well, with school about to get out, I'm sure things won't stay settled for long.

[Smynx]

Believe it or not, Marla, summers are actually less hectic at my house than the school year. It'll be a huge relief when school finally lets out. I think I hate checking homework as much as my boys hate doing it. And there's not that rush, rush, rush to get things done every evening. YEA SUMMER!!!

[JLC]

Hehe....I'm with you, Smynx. I hate homework as much as my kids do! I'm as excited about school being almost over as they are...although, the poor things are going to have a truncated summer. School here doesn't let out until June 18th...but schools in Montgomery start on Aug 9th! They won't even get two months.