Confused....Need Help

[ZPM_Power_Stardrive]

Hello everyone, i bought my first ball python today! Seems to be in good health. Issue is my confusion,

20 GAL ACQUARIUM TANK
CAGE CARPET
REPTILE WATER DISH
HABBA HUT REPTILE REFUGE XXL
PLASTIC FAKE PLANTS
HEAT LIGHT
HEAT ROCK
Digital Temp and Humidity GAUGE

First i will say i was told heat rocks were junk because the snake dosent gauge heat very well and will burn itself or injure itself. I also heard that heat lights arent great because they evaporate too much humidity and can raise temperature in the tank too high. So i was thinking about a heatpad but where would they bask? they are required to have atleast one spot they can slither to, where its 90Degrees F. So my question is, what do i use to heat the tank during the day to keep the tank at 80 and what do i use for the spot its supposed to bask at 90 degrees during the day? And at night i want my snake to stay around 80 but also have a light on so i can watch him since hes nocturnal, would a blacklight do this, the light cant put off heat so.......anyone at all that can help me understand exactly what needs to happen please help me before i make a critical mistake and lose the snake, i bought it at about 1 1/2 FT TO 2 FT LONG.

Kyle

[lord jackel]

First Welcome and Congrats on the new addition.


I would recommend you read this thread

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=32800

This tells you how to set up a proper tank for a ball. It will tell you about the heat pad and using a red light (for night viewing). This should answer most of your basic setup questions...if not then ask what is still not clear.

Oh yea...before you start reading make sure and get the heat rock out of the tank...they get hot spots and will burn in a matter of minutes.

[ZPM_Power_Stardrive]

Thanks for the link, im about to check it out, heat rock is out, not even a issue. Ill follow that link and read it, if i have anymore questions ill be sure to ask, thanks again.

Kyle

[Bright202]

Thanks for the link, im about to check it out, heat rock is out, not even a issue. Ill follow that link and read it, if i have anymore questions ill be sure to ask, thanks again.

Kyle

Yeah that sticky is pretty good, but if you want a happy ball python you should consider switching to a tub, but hey! Welcome to BP.net! I hope you enjoy your stay here, and always remember this, we love pictures here! so make sure you get alot!

[ZPM_Power_Stardrive]

Hey thanks for the warm welcome Bright202, I will have pictures up this next week for sure. I have some more purchases to make and equipment to change out given that link i followed, but you should tell me about this TUB method you mentioned, or send me a link, either way. I will tell you after reading the link provided by lord jackel i understand that to maintain the proper temp at the bottom of the tank i need the heat pads that go under the tank--->that will maintain the tank bottom at 80, and then on one side put the 75 watt red light so its around 90-92 for basking, put a refuge on the cool and warm side and a water bowl in the middle, and a small branch on either side of the tank incase it decides to clib.... its all pretty straight forward, one question though.......i understand during the day i need to use the red light 75 watter to maintain the basking temp of 90, but at night when the snake becomes more active and begins to move around, the temp is supposed to stay around 80, what light bulb do i use to view my snake without conflicting with the night cycle or raising the temp too high?

[ZPM_Power_Stardrive]

Hey im back again, after more research i realize that the ZooMed Nightlight Red Reptile Bulb is actually designed in the right light spectrum to be used 24/7 even at night, but i thought temps were supposed to go down at night? so i actually wouldnt be able to use this bulb at night.........right? What bulb would allow me to see my snake at night and not put off heat? Any advice is appreciated.

[Bright202]

Hey thanks for the warm welcome Bright202, I will have pictures up this next week for sure. I have some more purchases to make and equipment to change out given that link i followed, but you should tell me about this TUB method you mentioned, or send me a link, either way. I will tell you after reading the link provided by lord jackel i understand that to maintain the proper temp at the bottom of the tank i need the heat pads that go under the tank--->that will maintain the tank bottom at 80, and then on one side put the 75 watt red light so its around 90-92 for basking, put a refuge on the cool and warm side and a water bowl in the middle, and a small branch on either side of the tank incase it decides to clib.... its all pretty straight forward, one question though.......i understand during the day i need to use the red light 75 watter to maintain the basking temp of 90, but at night when the snake becomes more active and begins to move around, the temp is supposed to stay around 80, what light bulb do i use to view my snake without conflicting with the night cycle or raising the temp too high?

There is a sticky on using a rubbermaid tub, or any kind of plastic tub. But you don't want to cut out holes for lights. Basically what you want to do it this:
Buy a thermostat (Herpstats work well)
Buy some flexwatt
Buy a tub with a LID at www.Reptiletubs.com
Get a digital thermometer/hygrometer with probe Acu-rite- $12 Wal mart
Solder or drill some holes in the tub, tape the flexwatt to the bottom of the tub, hook the flexwatt tot he herpstat, and your good, add 2 hides, a water bowl and yeah, your set, tubs keep heat and humidity in very well.
Also if you buy from Rich at Reptile Basics, if you ask him, he'll wire everything up for you, just let him know what you wanna do, it's totally up to you, if you want a happy snake, switch to a tub, I did and I'm never looking back. If you have any questions just shoot me a PM, or if you have MSN you can add me at Mitch.Bright@hotmail.com.. I'll be more than happy to show you. But like I said it's totally up to you. Sorry if any of that was confusing

[Bright202]

Hey im back again, after more research i realize that the ZooMed Nightlight Red Reptile Bulb is actually designed in the right light spectrum to be used 24/7 even at night, but i thought temps were supposed to go down at night? so i actually wouldnt be able to use this bulb at night.........right? What bulb would allow me to see my snake at night and not put off heat? Any advice is appreciated.

Its good to have a stable heat 24/7. I have the midnight blue lamp shining on my tub, just so I can see whats going on, but also to heat things up so he doesn't get cold.
Hope everything helps you out
You seem like you want to learn, you have come to a good place.

[ZPM_Power_Stardrive]

This place is great indeed. I have learned alot in one night from other threads but at the same time having other members help me, thanks bright202 and lord jackel, its appreicated. Give me some more time and im sure ill have more questions. Oh ya bright202 i sent that guy the email asking if he would assemble the "tub setup" and how much. Now i have to wait for his response and see if the pet store here will take my equipment back, they should. TTYL

Kyle

[Bright202]

What your getting isn't exactaly a "tub setup" your getting a display cage, which is like a tub setup, but looks like a nice tank. It will hold heat and humidity well, and its made of PVC plastic so it light, and durable. And Rich is a good guy, he'll get everything ready for ya!

This place is great indeed. I have learned alot in one night from other threads but at the same time having other members help me, thanks bright202 and lord jackel, its appreicated. Give me some more time and im sure ill have more questions. Oh ya bright202 i sent that guy the email asking if he would assemble the "tub setup" and how much. Now i have to wait for his response and see if the pet store here will take my equipment back, they should. TTYL

Kyle