Hi Guys,

My setup consists of a normal baby ball python in a 2ft LX24 viv with a 12x12 heat mat and stat keeping the temps between 32-35C. The problem being as i live in a cold house and country (U.K) the ambient on the cold side can go down so far as 18C which i know is too cold, even with the heating on all day yesterday i could only get it up to 20.5C max, which really isn't a long term solution anyway.

I am looking for help to what i can do to get everything right on the cold side of the viv. I'm guessing a low watt ceramic with a stat (probably a twin stat so i have an excuse to get another snake with the spare one that's in there ), fitting and guard is the expensive option. Is there anything cheaper i could look at, like maybe an unregulated infra-red bulb or anything that is suitable, cheaper and not detrimental to the snakes health or happiness?

I am quite prepared to pay whatever it costs to get the setup right but obviously would not want to pay north of £70 when there could quite possibly be a solution for a lot less that does the same job.

Thanks for any advice, and have included a pic of the viv if this helps at all.