Heating for a 40 gal?

[Fyre]

I have a 40 gal tank about a 2 ft male ball python (Radi). When I adopted him, he came with his setup, which for heating had two lamps (one ceramic, one light and heat). I don't really use the light/heat one since bp's are noctural, but I flip it on during the day if its chilly.

I also purchased a 20 gallon under tank heater and placed it under his warm side hiding space so he could be extra warm while he digested his lovely gourmet rats. Yum.

Anyways, will this be enough during the wintertime? (Both the thermometer(s) and the hygrometer that came with him are broken. I'm trying to find acceptable replacements as you read/I type). My house hovers around 65 during then, but my room (door is closed due to the fact that I spoil my parakeets and let them fly around my room all day. Don't worry! Radi's cage has a locking top) is always slightly warmer for some reason.

Oh yeah, and the heat lamp isn't directly over the heat pad. Don't want to melt poor Radi!

Thanks!

[DooLittle]

First off, is your heat mat regulated by a thermostat? If not that is a must. Also, you need to know your temps. Walmart carries an Accurite thermometer that will measure temps in hot spot and ambient, as well as humidity. They are like $12. I found them by the indoor fans of all places. We need to know what your temps are. 65 is way to cold. Should be 90 in his hot spot, with ambient at 80.

Honestly though, IMO tubs are the way to go. Much easier to clean, hold temps and humidity, takes up less space too. I started with glass tanks, and switched to a rack system. I will never do tanks again.

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[The Serpent Merchant]

Without a working thermometer it is inpossible to say. Heat bulbs come in wattages ranging from 25 watts to 150+. Plus everyones homes have different airflow patterns that will effect the cage.

Personally I would do the following to heat the cage:

Under tank heater to provide the basking temperature of 90 degrees. Under tank heaters MUST be regulated by a thermostat. Without one they can get hot enough to kill a BP in a matter of hours. Also keep in mind that under tank heaters do not change the temperature of the air in the cage.

I would then use 2 low wattage infrared heat bulbs (these produce a light that doesn't disturbed them so they can be left on 24/7) controlled by lamp dimmers to keep the air temperature/cool side at 80 degrees 50-75 watt bulbs like these will work: http://m.petsmart.com/mt/www.petsmar...uctId=11147193

As for thermometers/hygrometers I would get one of these



They are avaliable at most Walmarts for $12. They measure 2 temperatures and humidity. The probe will be on the hot side sitting directly over the under tank heater, and the box will sit in the cool side. The box will measure the cool side temps and humidity.

Further reading/thermostat recommendations: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...t-Thermometers

I personally wouldn't recommend tubs for a room that is 65 during the summer... They would be a nightmare to keep the cool side warm enough.

[Fyre]

Thanks, I definetly add those to my shopping list for next time I go out!(: