Ambient Air Temperature

[colbert]

I have newly aquired my first ball python. I am using a 26 inch by 16 inch by 7.5 inch sterilite plastic tub for my enclosure. I am also using a non adhesive heating pad to heat the tub. I use a hydrofarm heatmat thermostat to regulate the heat mat. I am using a layer of paper towels, and newspaper to line the bottom of the tub. I have set the heat mat to 96 degrees fahrenhiet and have placed only one other temperature gauge on the cool side. This is an analog temperature and humidity gauge. My problem is that I cant keep the cool side, or ambient are temperature warm enough. If I only use the heat mat, the gauge reads consistently at 70 degrees fahrenhiet. For now, I use a bathroom space heater on the low setting to blow warm air at the enclosure. It keeps it around 82 degrees fahrenheit or so. I keep about two feet away. The folks at the pet store said i would just need the heat mat. I would like to stop using space heater, but what do you recommend. Ceramic bulbs are kinda pricey, so I figured if I was giong to spend some money, I might as well get a radiant heat panel. What do yall suggest?

[mpkeelee]

Just get a light with a clamp on it and make sure it has a dimmer on the chord,. and a bulb. As long as it stay above 75 ur ok but 80 is good. Also u will lose humidity so watch that

[colbert]

Just get a light with a clamp on it and make sure it has a dimmer on the chord,. and a bulb. As long as it stay above 75 ur ok but 80 is good. Also u will lose humidity so watch that

Will a lamps heat penetrate the lid to the plastic tub enough to do some good?

[mpkeelee]

Yes it will help. I had holes drilled in the top of the tub for air ventilation so maybe that helped. U will have to check it pretty often to make sure the temp is right but I did my quarantine tubs like this before I had a snake room kept at a constant 80. I used a small 60w red bulb that u can buy at pet stores