Quote Originally Posted by brittani72 View Post
hi everyone, i just got my first ball python and am having some trouble regulating temps and humidity. my bp is about 2 1/2 feet. i have a 20 gal long tank, 2 hides (they dont match but im going to get matching ones as soon as i can), a ceramic heat emitter, a heat pad, a thermostat and a digital thermometer/hygrometer. i got the reti temp 500 thermostat which supposedly can control 2 heating devices at once but the problem is there is only one control for both of them. my temps are currently 75 and 95 and seem so always be about 20 degrees apart instead of ten which i understand is ideal. also my humidity is at 45% even with a damp towel over the top of the screen. im using aspen substrate but im thinking about switching to cypress mulch. i will post pics of my setup when i can but i have one hide on each end, the water bowl in the middle and the main thermometer is on the cool end and the probe is stuck to the glass directly over the heat pad. any suggestions would be appreciated!!
Hello, and to BP.net.
Make sure that the probe for the Repti-Temp 500 is mounted between the Under Tank Heater and the glass. I would suggest using a $10 Lutron lamp dimmer from Home Depot or Lowes to regulate the heat emmitter. Here is the link to a thread with photos of one:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...t-Instructions

I suspect part of the problem with the cool side temps is that it is caused by your house a/c. You could try setting your home thermostat to 75-77F. Another suggestion that you can try is adding something to the back and two ends to help insulate the tank a little. Colored foam board, available at Target and Wal-Mart in the school supplies section near the poster board, will look the best, but, you can also use pieces of cardboard.

For the humidity, you could try covering the screen top with aluminum foil or a piece of plexiglass, except where the CHE is. You might also try a larger water bowl, if possible.