UTHs or Heat lamps? Pros and Cons?

[I<3Dreamsicles]

I just set up my tank. I have a hydrometer in there, along with substrate, two hides, and an empty water bowl (no snake yet).

Just that alone the humidity is at 50%, when the hydrometer wasn't in the tank it read 40%. So that means the substrate, which is kinda dampish, contributes 10% humidity. Now if I had a lamp beaming down on that substrate, it would dry it out, and make the humidity drop. Not a whole bunch, being that only one side would dry out, but enough to make a difference.

Ehhh. Idk. I still plan on using a heat lamp, you can always cover part of the screen top if thats what you have, and the repti bark i have is suposed to hold humidity really well. Also i have a big fake plant in there so it will probably sheild the substrate from the light.

[Elise.m]

Well I hope you'll be using a UTH as well

[justind]

Ball Pythons don't bask

[Patricia]

Ehhh. Idk. I still plan on using a heat lamp, you can always cover part of the screen top if thats what you have, and the repti bark i have is suposed to hold humidity really well. Also i have a big fake plant in there so it will probably sheild the substrate from the light.

For our first week, I used the overhead heat lamp that came with the tank. I was spraying that thing half a dozen times a day! Now the only time I use it is to see snakey for a couple of hours at night before we go to bed (red light bulb), and within a few minutes of it being on, the humidity plummets. And we live in a humid area!

Oh, we also have ReptiBark, which claims to help hold humidity. I guess the heat lamp is stronger than the bark! And covering the top didn't help much either.

OK, so let's suppose we don't know for sure if belly heat aids digestion. Common sense alone says that for an animal who naturally burrows and hides away all day, air heat outside the hide isn't really reaching them.

Our snakey's prior owner didn't have a UTH, and when I went to see it and first picked it up, it was cold, poor thing. Even before getting home with it, we stopped off at Petsmart to get a UTH. The next day it was warm, lost its stuck shedding, and was ready to eat, as if it had come back to life.

[I<3Dreamsicles]

Well I hope you'll be using a UTH as well

I am. or will be...
Either way I like the red light. And the heat. I have a feeling I wont have a problem with humidity.

[rabernet]

I am. or will be...
Either way I like the red light. And the heat. I have a feeling I wont have a problem with humidity.

You may like it - but what does your snake like? As someone else said - ball pythons don't bask. Good luck!

[h00blah]

im with robin on this one... i too was told that a heat lamp over the water dish would increase humidity. didnt help at all lol... humidity was always at 40 - 50. when i turned it off, it was 60 - 70 lol. when i turned off my heat lamp, and left my heat pad + t-stat on, i felt like my snake was enjoying itself a lot more. more sleep, less movement, which ive read was a better sign than a restless snake.

trust, in a 20g aquarium, as long as u have insulation on 3/4 of the sides, and the foil roof with a heat pad, ur all gravy. and ur snake will show good signs =D. the first time i had to soak my snake i felt pretty crummy... ditched the heat lamp and my snake has had perfect sheds ever since! (had it for 6 sheds, 1 needed soaking)

EDIT: after having to soak my bp to get rid of shed, throwing away a 1-pieced shed away was one of those experiences u just hav to hav