Ceramic vs. Under tank heaters.

[M3chan1ca1]

I have taken care of lizards since I was a kid, such as beadred dragons, uromastyx, and monitors.

I recently adopted a baby Ball python, and I wondering is its really necessary to get an under tank heater. Right now Im using two ceramic heat and the ambient
temperature is 80 degrees and basking spot at 95 degrees.

I added an Under tank heater and it didn't seem to make a difference.
Can I get by with using just ceramic heaters?

What the point of under tank heater?
Doesnt seem to heat up the bottom of the tank.

[Sammy412]

Belly heat is important for digestion. I would definitely get a UTH. 95 is a little too hot, the hot spot should be 92.

[TheWinWizard]

Also a thermostat for the uth so the ball doesn't get burned.

[TomC]

The biggest problem with only heating with CHE is they tend to completely destroy the humidity. You want to maintain 50% humidity during normal times and hit at least 60% during shed times. Most, including myself, prefer 70% during shed times.

[M3chan1ca1]

Thanks all for the advice.
Im used to lizards that like to climb as high as possible to bask.
I suppose UTH for digestion would be very beneficial.

I live in San Francisco, right by the ocean so the humidity almost never drops below 60%.

I guess my biggest concern is keeping a 40 gallon tank warm during cold weather.
Im using a 100watt and a 150watt ceramic. Perhaps I can up the wattage, along with the UTH to make sure he says warm during the cold.

I suppose with any new reptile adoption you have to research as much as you can and then experiment to suit your living space.

[rdoyle]

u dont have to heat the whole tank as long as you have a spot that is 92 and a cold spot that is fine. The only think I have heating my BP is a uth

[angllady2]

Well, truthfully, you don't want to rely on a UTH to keep the ambient temps in the tank where it needs to be, they aren't designed for that.

You want a surface hot spot temp of around 90-95, and that would be measured against the glass on the inside of the tank just over the UTH, to guarantee if the snake burrows down to the glass it won't get burned. A thermostat for the UTH is a must, they can reach 115 degrees plus.

The ambient air temp should be around 77-80 or so.

If your house gets much colder than that during the winter, then a small CHE can help to keep the ambient temps up where they need to be.

Gale

[M3chan1ca1]

I get it now
thanks so much, Gale.