Ball Python help

[EWC88]

So I have a almost 3' ball python. Right now he is living in a 20g long tank. I need to upgrade I know but can't yet. I need to get a UTH but don't know which kind of brand or size, what would you guys recommend? And what kind of thermostat to help with the heat output?

thank you!

[The Serpent Merchant]

For a 20 gallon, a zoo-med or Exoterra UTH will be fine get one that covers about 1/3 of the bottom of the tank.

As for thermostats stay away from the ones sold in pet stores they aren't worth your money.

Herpstats are great very accurate and has built in safety features

http://spyderrobotics.com/

If money is tight these will work but should be replaced when possible:

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR..._bxgy_ol_img_b

Either way make sure you have a thermostat. Otherwise you will have a BBQ's BP

[DellaF]

I use the medium size uth and the hydrofarm thermostats are good if your funds are tight right now.

[Rob]

I agree with both above. But whatever you do, do it ASAP. Get your temps/ humidity down. I'm assuming you already have hides or at least one hide. And some sort or substrate?

[kitedemon]

I would recommend the ultratherms. They are designed to run a much lower temps and a T-stat. I too would pick Herpstats over all the competitors, cheaper than many other proportional units and more fully functioned.

Ultratherms help protect the animal from the rare T-stat failure, the only issue with some enclosures they actually do not get hot enough.

[DooLittle]

We have flexwatt on a herpstat. All above recommendations are good.

[Annarose15]

I agree with the comments on UTH and thermostat, but have a question for the OP. Why do you think you need to upgrade from a 20 gallon long tank? Most BPs don't need much bigger enclosures than that unless they are large breeding females. I'd also recommend getting a cheap digital kitchen scale, because we can give better advice in the future (on stuff other than heat/humidity) based on weight rather than length.

[EWC88]

The BP does have heat right now, I am using a light but I rather switc to UTH. Money is a little tight right now so I would have to go with the other route at first, how long do they last for? What temp do I out it at?

What size tank will I have to upgrade to? I always heard it needs a bigger one.

He has one hide right now, a very big one that I might cut since its pretty big and tanks up most of the tank. He has a water dish and aspen for substrate.

Would you guys recommend flex tape or a UTH from the petstore to get?

[EWC88]

BUMP on what size tank would I need to upgrade to if I need to?

Also I got a UTH all hooked up, should I also put a blue or infared bulb on at night for the snake? Are they good or bad?

[travis11]

i would recommend the ultratherms. They are designed to run a much lower temps and a t-stat. I too would pick herpstats over all the competitors, cheaper than many other proportional units and more fully functioned.

Ultratherms help protect the animal from the rare t-stat failure, the only issue with some enclosures they actually do not get hot enough.

x2