Newbie with a few questions..

[the_Ryno]

I just got my BP yesterday.

Should I try feeding it tomorrow since that is when it is normally fed, or wait till later in the week?
Also last night I turned off the heat light, and this morning when i woke up the tank was at about 80degrees on the hot side, is this to cool? Since i know it should be at about that on the cool side at night.
Should I try to keep the tank at a constant temp? I know some people say have a night time drop, and some say keep it at the same temp all the time.

[ThyTempest]

I just got my BP yesterday.

Should I try feeding it tomorrow since that is when it is normally fed, or wait till later in the week?
Also last night I turned off the heat light, and this morning when i woke up the tank was at about 80degrees on the hot side, is this to cool? Since i know it should be at about that on the cool side at night.
Should I try to keep the tank at a constant temp? I know some people say have a night time drop, and some say keep it at the same temp all the time.

Night drop is not necessary, and normally not recommended since BP's are nocturnal. Under tank heat should be your primary source of heat, since bps are mostly terrestrial, they need "belly heat". A heat lamp or ceramic heat emitter can be used to keep ambient temperature in the air in the acceptable range, but it can kill your humidity. The temps and humidity should remain pretty constant, except when they go in shed, then you want to increase the humidity. Look at the stickies and they will help you get the correct setup. My guess is this is what you need.

Under Tank heater-Depends on tank size, but probably about 25 bucks
Lamp dimmer-$8-9 connected to UTH to control heat output
Acurite Digital Thermometer/Hygrometer-12 bucks at walmart, excellent unit to measure 1 ground temp w/ the probe (usually under warm hide), humidity as well as ambient air temp.
Need two identical, snug hides, one on the cool side, one on the warm.
If yuo can keep your humidity about 50-60%, feel free to keep using the lamp, if not, you may want to try a lower wattage.

Hope this helps, and check out the stickies.

And, wait a week to feed. If his normal feed time was in a few days, we might say to try and feed, but this close after the move is too soon. Good luck.

[starmom]

I just got my BP yesterday.

Should I try feeding it tomorrow since that is when it is normally fed, or wait till later in the week?
Also last night I turned off the heat light, and this morning when i woke up the tank was at about 80degrees on the hot side, is this to cool? Since i know it should be at about that on the cool side at night.
Should I try to keep the tank at a constant temp? I know some people say have a night time drop, and some say keep it at the same temp all the time.

Yes, the hot side became too cool. As mentioned, royals do best with belly heat. Here's a sticky that ought to help answer a lot of your questions: http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=56846

[the_Ryno]

Have everything I need except some good thermometers and hygrometers, and a rheostat. All of which I will have at my doorstep by Thursday.

The temp directly above the UTH is running close to 96degrees it seems. Is this to hot and going to burn the belly of the BP?

[LadyOhh]

Yes...

Too hot.

[missi182]

it is very likely hotter than 96 degrees right on the UTH, so I'd say unplug it until you get a thermostat or rheostat but keep the tank above 80 degrees and don't feed him until he has a good 90 degree warm UTH to digest on. A digital thermometer with a probe will show you that your UTH is likely over 100 degrees right now.

[Texas Dan]

it is very likely hotter than 96 degrees right on the UTH, so I'd say unplug it until you get a thermostat or rheostat but keep the tank above 80 degrees and don't feed him until he has a good 90 degree warm UTH to digest on. A digital thermometer with a probe will show you that your UTH is likely over 100 degrees right now.

Damn girl! You've been post crazy!!

Anyway, I would still try to feed him, just to keep the rotation up, my guys digest on the cool side every time. I really don't know why, heat is 91* at all times on the hot side and 79-82 on the cool side.

Either way, that's what I would do. I'm not an expert at all.