Ceramic in tub?

[Chuckles]

I just got back from a visit to the vet. My adult male BP is having some respiratory issues and we think it's because the UTH isn't doing enough to warm the ambient air temp in the tub. I keep the UTH around 94 and the cool side stays around 80. The vet (who specialises in reptiles) told me he thinks I should get a ceramic lamp to keep the air warmer, however I've got a pretty shallow tub, 34 quarts and would need to figure out a way not only to not melt the lid (or replace the lid entirely) but also to not melt the rest of the tub... any ideas? Anyone else use a ceramic lamp with a tub?

[Eric Alan]

Your vet is apparently unaware that UTHs are not designed to increase ambient air temperatures, so of course it's not doing anything to warm the entire inside of the tub. As long as ambient temperatures stay >78, that's perfect for BPs. If yours is 80, then you're golden. As far as the hot spot temperature with the UTH, honestly you could probably stand to turn it down a few degrees (around 90).

Now, you mentioned nothing about the humidity. Do you have any idea where you're at with this? How are you measuring/controlling humidity in your tub?

[Chuckles]

We both knew that UTH isn't designed to modify air temps, he's just worried that they're too low.
The humidity stays around 60% roughly.
I've only turned it up because a friend who works with the rescue I got him from said that to stave off an RI i should turn up his temps a bit. Normally I do keep it around 90.

[Eric Alan]

I just got back from a visit to the vet...we think it's because the UTH isn't doing enough to warm the ambient air temp in the tub.

We both knew that UTH isn't designed to modify air temps, he's just worried that they're too low.

You can't really blame me for thinking otherwise based on the above quote, can you? Edit: There are other ways to raise ambient temps as well - a small space heater could work as a temporary solution, for example.

The humidity stays around 60% roughly.
I've only turned it up because a friend who works with the rescue I got him from said that to stave off an RI i should turn up his temps a bit. Normally I do keep it around 90.

It doesn't sound like the potential RI is related to your current husbandry and it looks like you're doing the right things to try and prevent it from getting worse. How long have you had him? Do you have any other snakes? Where is he kept and where are they kept?

Also, here is a good thread on a DIY treatment method for RI, if in fact that is what it actually is: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-from-Home-DIY.

[Velrys]

It sounds like your temps and humidity are just fine, other than moving the hotspot back down to 90 seems like everything is fine. I don't really think the environment is responsible, what kind of substrate do you use?



The only time I have seen a ceramic lamp used on a tub was when a friend of mine tried it...

He cut about half the lid open so that there was plenty of space all around the heating element and covered it with screen. Then he used wire to lift the ceramic fixture... I think he had it in a deep dome... off of the screen. The idea was the heat would be directed downward as much as possible without heat being passed into the plastic. It kind of worked but then his humidity took a huge hit because half his lid was missing...

I might suggest that instead of going from the top you go from bellow, since heat rises anyway. Try getting another UTH and putting it under the cool side so that you dont create another hotspot but rather heat the tub.

All this being said your set up sounds fine the way it is. Your time might be better served looking into other causes. Maybe the temps aren't stable? Maybe there is a night-time dip?

[Chuckles]

I've had him for about a month now, it's possible I suppose that he brought it with him. For substrate I just use newspaper.

A friend is loaning me a 20 gal tank and a lamp for a bit to see if it helps, so hopefully it will resolve itself and I can move him back to his tub.
relieved to hear that everything seems like I'm doing it right.

[bcr229]

I've had him for about a month now, it's possible I suppose that he brought it with him. For substrate I just use newspaper.

A friend is loaning me a 20 gal tank and a lamp for a bit to see if it helps, so hopefully it will resolve itself and I can move him back to his tub.
relieved to hear that everything seems like I'm doing it right.

Honestly I would leave him in the tub, his temps and humidity in it are fine, and it's easier to maintain than a tank. If you're worried about an RI you can leave his hot spot at 94*F and see if it makes a difference - though you may find that he avoids it, which is counter-productive. If that's the case try dropping it to 92*F.

I did see in reading your past posts that you've only had him for a month, and about two weeks ago he dumped his water and ended up laying in a sopping wet tub for a few hours. So, I hope you've gotten a (more or less) undumpable water bowl for him, either one that's very heavy or one with a wider base than top will work. And, since you've only had him for a few weeks, it's possible that the stress from moving to a new home triggered it.