Hey guys

[slade93]

hey guys im totally new to this forum and would like to make friends. Well My name is Rob, im 17yrs old. I have been having reptiles for years but this is my first ball python i have purchased. Im an aspiring herpetologist.

One quick question is i have the heat pad put on the side of the tank. is that a good place to have it ?

[yeroc1982]

Welcome to the site. Side of the tank, meaning the wall?? If so,no.

[bsash]

If you are using a tank I would suggest putting it on the outside underneath of the tank on the bottom. I would also suggest if you don't already have one, getting a thermostat or at least a retrostat.

[slade93]

oh. cause i was told its better to be put on the outside on the side of the tank. and i have already put it down.

[AkHerps]

On the side usually works best for tarantulas, scorpions and other bugs, this way that can't get cooked if they burrow down into the substrate, and also reptiles that don't require more than room temperature, but sometimes need a little bit of added heat during the night like Crested geckos.

Welcome to BP

[yeroc1982]

oh. cause i was told its better to be put on the outside on the side of the tank. and i have already put it down.

If your careful, should b able to get it off. I have done it once, no problem.

[slade93]

Oh well right now the tank is on the floor, cause i have not bought the stand yet and i had a feeling as well that it would be a bad idea to put the heat pad under and then the heat pad would be against the floor as well. but it is on these 4 small little pegs tht the heat pad came with

[SpartaDog]

My heat pad is under my tank on a wooden dresser, and I've never had a problem with it. Your floor should be fine.

[alexOATH]

Belly heat is better for them. If you're careful you can definitely remove it, theres a thread on it somewhere actually on here, I think on the DIY section.

I never used any goo gone though, just carefully pulled it off. and you shouldn't have a problem having it on the floor, you can always get a cheap piece of wood or melanmin backing to put under it if its on the carpet.

[vangarret2000]

You need to put the pad on the bottom. You need just a little bit of airflow under the tank so those little pegs gives it enough room for that to happen.