is my setup ok?

[psycho]

temps etc are great, but like mentioned before I reommend you get a smaller tank or a tub, especially if your bp does is roaming around during the day-that means he is stressed. Btw where did you purchase your acu-rite?

Actually...2 feet of space is the most you can get for a hatchling...it shall do fine as long as its eating...my bps go out during the day to get water or to bask or just to roam around & they're pretty healthy snakes & never miss a feeding...roaming around in the day doesn't mean there stress...actually I have my 2 1/2 feet bp in a 60 gallon tank & it eats meaning its not stress...it all depends on the bp...

[toddmbecker1234]

Actually...2 feet of space is the most you can get for a hatchling...it shall do fine as long as its eating...my bps go out during the day to get water or to bask or just to roam around & they're pretty healthy snakes & never miss a feeding...roaming around in the day doesn't mean there stress...actually I have my 2 1/2 feet bp in a 60 gallon tank & it eats meaning its not stress...it all depends on the bp...

That actually is very incorrect information. Ball Pythons are nocturnal creatures that spend the daytime in various burrows hidden from the extreme heat of the day as well as from teh predators that can prey on them. They come out at night to do whatever it is they want to do, eat drink, mate, etc...
In all honasty if your ball python is constantly roaming in its cage then something is wrong and the snake is telling you this. I am not talking about the snake coming out to get a drink or self regulating its temp by moving from hot to cold side. If it is constantly moving it is an unhappy ball python as this is not there normal behavior. Todd

[Artistry Exotics]

a 30g CAN be good, just clutter it up a bit with foliage. a 10 gallon or 20 gallon is ideal, but as i said, foliage can make it look nice, AND provide extra security ;p

Aren't 30g tanks the same footprint as a 20g long, just taller? Would it still be considered too big if that's the case?

Ok, just looked it up - 29g tanks are the same footprint as a 20g long. I think a lot of 29g tanks are mistaken for 30g tanks though, or at least are called 30g cause they're "close enough". At least that's how it is around here - most of the fish tanks we have/sell at the store where I work are actually 29g tanks, but they get called 30 gallons all the time. A true 30 gallon tank isn't that much bigger, and I don't think that'd be too big for some ball pythons, especially adult females.

[MsPrada]

I think the reason hooblah mentioned a 10 gallon or a reg 20 gallon is because the snake in question is a baby. But if you clutter it enough he/she may do fine.

[omnibus2]

Actually...2 feet of space is the most you can get for a hatchling...it shall do fine as long as its eating...my bps go out during the day to get water or to bask or just to roam around & they're pretty healthy snakes & never miss a feeding...roaming around in the day doesn't mean there stress...actually I have my 2 1/2 feet bp in a 60 gallon tank & it eats meaning its not stress...it all depends on the bp...

Like toddmbecker1234 also mentioned, a roaming ball python is usually a sign of stress. They should be spending the day time hiding and resting.

I'm not sure how well your ball python is doing, but 60 gallons is way too much space for a ball python in my opinion.

[Kaorte]

A 5 degree temperature swing for the hot side is a bit much. Your temps should be constant during the day and at night.

If you do not already have one, get a thermostat. If you are going to be running a UTH you absolutely need a way to control its heat output. If you don't you risk COOKING your snake. The cheapest model I am aware of is the reptitemp 500R which is about $25 online.

I also think a 30g is too big for a ball python and overall not suitable for the species. It is way too tall and ball pythons will never utilize the height. Maybe as babies, but adults no not climb.

[WaRocker]

alright im pretty sure my BP has a perfect setup right now
its a youngie about 1.75' long

30 gallon tank

zoo med heating pad on left side

heatlamp with a blacklight style bulb that i can use night and day depending on temps on right side

accurite therm. and humidity guage (digital) probe on hot side

hot side fluctuates from 88-94 depending on time of day
cool side 75-82 depending on time of day

any suggestions appreciated

Sounds pretty good. The cold temp you have 75-82.. Well 75 might be a bit cold at least for my taste but you do have a good mix. So how is the humidity? and I am sure you have like 2 hides one on each side? .. do you have a temp gun to actually get the surface reading? This would be a must. It may read 92 on the hot but the surface coulf be 110 +++..
Sorry if you have this stuff and have it all figured out I just like to see the animals get proper care.
You will find that everyone has their own lil diffrences but for the most part about the same.. Keep up the great work!

[trott]

Make your uth side the warm side if you already dont. And if your not using a thermosthat use lamp dimmers to have control of your heat sources but your room where the snake is must maintain a connsistant temp or your be adjusting tor heat sources alot with your dimmers. In other words if you open a window or the temp in your room goes up and down so will the temps in your enclosure. Thermosthat does it for you.