First Time BP Owner! :)

[martin82531]

Oh yeah, and regarding heating units... is it necessary to have a lamp and a UTH running simultaneously to heat both the floor of the tank and the air in the tank? If so... both would be on one side?I'm thinking you'd do that, place the dandy $12 walmart's thermometer's probe on the floor of the tank, and the place the thermometer itself above it, and make sure that the temps are identical. Thanks!

I think this question is really based on your environment. You want your surface temp on the hot side around 90 degrees with the overall ambient temperature around 80 degrees. Me personally, I live in Phoenix, Arizona so I don't have an issue with my ambient temperatures, so I do not need an extra heat source over and above my UTH. If you do get a bulb I would probably recommended a low wattage infrared bulb since balls do not need an actual light source.

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You also want to make sure what ever hides you chose they are identical. Ball's like to feel snug and secure, and since balls regulate their own temperature, you don't want them favoring one hide over another just because they feel more secure in one verse the other.

[satomi325]

Using the UTH and the lamp really depends on your room temperature. The UTH doesn't affect air temps. It just creates a hot spot. The lamp influences the surrounding air. The cool side/ambient temps should ideally be 77-82. No lower than 75. Anything below 75 has the potential to give your snake a respiratory infection. If you cannot maintain these ambient temps, then the lamp is needed in addition to the hot spot UTH. If ambient temps are warm enough without the lamp, you only need the UTH.

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[Chris Yi]

I think this question is really based on your environment. You want your surface temp on the hot side around 90 degrees with the overall ambient temperature around 80 degrees. Me personally, I live in Phoenix, Arizona so I don't have an issue with my ambient temperatures, so I do not need an extra heat source over and above my UTH. If you do get a bulb I would probably recommended a low wattage infrared bulb since balls do not need an actual light source.

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You also want to make sure what ever hides you chose they are identical. Ball's like to feel snug and secure, and since balls regulate their own temperature, you don't want them favoring one hide over another just because they feel more secure in one verse the other.

Ah perfect. I'm in Southern Cali and it's been a constant 85-90 in my room, so it seems like the ambient temp is perfect for as well! Well for him... not me
I have never heard of the hides having to be identical before, but your logic makes sense. I'll be sure to look into that, thanks!