Tank Set Up Suggestions...

[Shadows Valkyrie]

I have my BP, Sorcha, set up in a 29 gallon aquarium. I am using coconut fiber for substrate. I bought an Exo Terra Heat Wave Terrarium Substrate Heater (UTH) that measures 10"x11". I need to add an additional heat source to my set up as this alone obviously isn't going to give me the proper temps.

Until I figure out exactly what I'm going to do I am borrowing a heat lamp to place on the screen lid from my beardie...

I'm looking for suggestions and or advice on what is best. I've been leaning towards a ceramic "bulb".

Can anyone offer me some tips? Keep in mind that I am a new BP owner and although I want to provide my baby with the best possible, I am by no means going for a professional set up at this point.

...note, I said at this point

[el8ch]

Hey! =)

I'm also new to the BP world and have been playing with my setup over the past week to figure something out that works for me and my snake. I have a smiliar size tank and UTH as you do and this is how I have my tank setup.

1. UTH under the hide on the hot side controlled with a rheostat for now (herpstat is on order)
2. CHE is above the hide (hot side) to control the ambient air temp
3. Water bowl is towards the middle of the tank to allow a bit of extra humidity being closer to the heat source. After reading many of the posts on here I also added several layers of tinfoil to a section of my mesh lid and taped it, brought my humidity up from 40 to 60.
4. Identical hide on the left side of the tank to allow my little guy to thermoregulate himself if need be.

With this setup as of tonight I have an air temp of 85, 88-90 on the hot side under his hide, 80 under the hide on the cool side of the tank and humidity bopping around 60%.

[SlitherinSisters]

Usually in a tank a heat mat and a heat lamp is needed. I have no experience with ceramic bulb, I'm thinking they are also called heat emitters? Those are usually too hot for smaller tanks. A 24 hour heat bulb and a heat mat is usually enough.

[LeviBP]

It sounds pretty good by what you said. You just need to keep a few simple things in mind.

1.) Make sure your cage isn't too big (So you don't stress your BP)
2.) Keep the water dish in the approx. middle of the tank
3.) Make sure you have a "hot" side and "cool" side
4.) Have at least two hides, one on each the hot and cool sides. The hides shouldn't be too big for the snake, and should make them feel "snug".

That's about it
Good luck!

[Shadows Valkyrie]

Hey! =)

I'm also new to the BP world and have been playing with my setup over the past week to figure something out that works for me and my snake. I have a smiliar size tank and UTH as you do and this is how I have my tank setup.

1. UTH under the hide on the hot side controlled with a rheostat for now (herpstat is on order)
2. CHE is above the hide (hot side) to control the ambient air temp
3. Water bowl is towards the middle of the tank to allow a bit of extra humidity being closer to the heat source. After reading many of the posts on here I also added several layers of tinfoil to a section of my mesh lid and taped it, brought my humidity up from 40 to 60.
4. Identical hide on the left side of the tank to allow my little guy to thermoregulate himself if need be.

With this setup as of tonight I have an air temp of 85, 88-90 on the hot side under his hide, 80 under the hide on the cool side of the tank and humidity bopping around 60%.

Your set up sounds like what I am trying to achieve. I've been trying to make the call between a CHE and an infared bulb. As of right now I don't have a rheostat to control my UTH as it doesn't really seem to put off a whole lot of heat. It makes the substrate feel luke warm underneath Sorcha's fave hide...

I have two hides in the tank, one is a fake log that Sorcha loves and it's a nice snug fit for her. The other is a clay pot that I busted in half and stuck down in the substrate, also a snug fit for her.

I haven't had much of a problem with humidity as the coconut fiber holds a TON of moisture. Its the air temp in the tank that I'm having a hard time getting up to par.

There are some who think a CHE would make a tank my size too hot. You say you use one. What wattage is yours?

I like all of your readings for heat and humidity. Let's hope I can get there too!

[Shadows Valkyrie]

Usually in a tank a heat mat and a heat lamp is needed. I have no experience with ceramic bulb, I'm thinking they are also called heat emitters? Those are usually too hot for smaller tanks. A 24 hour heat bulb and a heat mat is usually enough.

CHE is what I was referring to My humidity levels are great. It's the air temp in the tank that I am trying to maintain.

So you are suggesting a 24 hour heat bulb like an infrared? I use one for my iguana as well as a solar glo. I just wasn't sure if infrared was the best way to go with my set up.

Thanks for your input! I appreciate it

[anatess]

Your set up sounds like what I am trying to achieve. I've been trying to make the call between a CHE and an infared bulb. As of right now I don't have a rheostat to control my UTH as it doesn't really seem to put off a whole lot of heat. It makes the substrate feel luke warm underneath Sorcha's fave hide...

I have two hides in the tank, one is a fake log that Sorcha loves and it's a nice snug fit for her. The other is a clay pot that I busted in half and stuck down in the substrate, also a snug fit for her.

I haven't had much of a problem with humidity as the coconut fiber holds a TON of moisture. Its the air temp in the tank that I'm having a hard time getting up to par.

There are some who think a CHE would make a tank my size too hot. You say you use one. What wattage is yours?

I like all of your readings for heat and humidity. Let's hope I can get there too!

Hi Shadows, welcome!

On the bolded statement above... if you put your palm under your armpit - that's about 96 degrees. That's just a tad bit too hot for the substrate. If you feel the floor under the substrate that will be hot if your substrate is luke warm. It is probably over 100 down there. A ball python can burrow under the substrate or move the substrate around, so that he has a chance of sitting directly on the floor of your tank. Therefore, we usually advice to keep the floor of the tank no more than 95 degrees by using a thermostat or rheostat to adjust the UTH output.

Your set-up sounds good. The only thing I would suggest in addition to what is mentioned above is corkboard or thick dark paper wrapped around 3 sides of the tank - this adds to the feeling of security in the environment and also acts as insulation to keep the ambient heat in the tank more stable. Also, it would be great if you can "clutter up" your tank a lot - especially since you have a tall tank. You might think about putting some plastic/silk leaves hanging off the sides of the tank to drape over the open areas to add to the feeling of security.

Hope this helps.

[Shadows Valkyrie]

Hi Shadows, welcome!

On the bolded statement above... if you put your palm under your armpit - that's about 96 degrees. That's just a tad bit too hot for the substrate. If you feel the floor under the substrate that will be hot if your substrate is luke warm. It is probably over 100 down there. A ball python can burrow under the substrate or move the substrate around, so that he has a chance of sitting directly on the floor of your tank. Therefore, we usually advice to keep the floor of the tank no more than 95 degrees by using a thermostat or rheostat to adjust the UTH output.

Your set-up sounds good. The only thing I would suggest in addition to what is mentioned above is corkboard or thick dark paper wrapped around 3 sides of the tank - this adds to the feeling of security in the environment and also acts as insulation to keep the ambient heat in the tank more stable. Also, it would be great if you can "clutter up" your tank a lot - especially since you have a tall tank. You might think about putting some plastic/silk leaves hanging off the sides of the tank to drape over the open areas to add to the feeling of security.

Hope this helps.

I do plan on getting a rheostat or thermostat to regulate that temp. Just haven't gotten one yet. I check it frequently and have the substrate pretty thick. So far Sorcha doesn't dig down in the substrate.

I do have fake plants and clutter in the tank. I also have a decorative background on it as well.She doesn't seem overwhelmed by the size of the tank and seems to enjoy being able to climb.

My main concern at the moment is decided between a CHE or and infrared bulb for my heat source. Trying to determine which is best before I buy something. She's in the warmest room in our house which is also where my iguana's walk in cage is (7ft tall, 4ft deep and 5ft wide!) The lights we run on her help keep the temp up pretty good in that room. The humidity in there is also good as that is where I house all of y tropical plants. Everything and everyone gets misted often.

Between CHE and infrared heat what would you suggest for an aquarium set up like mine?

[CeeJay]

If you are on a tight budget you can get a temp gun for $25 and then get a dimmer from home depot. Those are $10. The dimmer will control the heat. Use the temp gun to get the surface temp. If the UTH is too high use the dimmer to bring down temps until you find the right setting.

Temp gun is good to have anyway. I would suggest getting it no matter what.

[DZ Reptiles]

If you are on a tight budget you can get a temp gun for $25 and then get a dimmer from home depot. Those are $10. The dimmer will control the heat. Use the temp gun to get the surface temp. If the UTH is too high use the dimmer to bring down temps until you find the right setting.

Temp gun is good to have anyway. I would suggest getting it no matter what.

I second that. I have a temp gun and it works great! Gives very accurate reads.