How can I amplify heat in my 55 gallon tank?

[CharlieThePython]

I've got a 3.5 ft ball python in a 55 gallon tank that stretches 4ft long and is 20 inches deep. I have heat pads under the tank which can get up to at least 100 F easily (I have a thermostat, don't worry, it stays at about 90). I also have a 100w clamp lamp on the warm side that sits on top of the wire mesh. The lamps heat pretty much doesn't touch the snake at all because its so far away. I need to know how I can lower the lamp into the cage so it heats up better, but I don't know how I can do that and keep the snake away from it. Also, I have to keep the lid on because he loves to try to crawl over to me while I'm sleeping and I'm tired of waking up with him inside my shirt. I could try to get a higher watt bulb but the lamps limit it 100w so i would be pushing it

[alucard0822]

Main issue is the tank is long and tall with only 4 sq ft of floorspace, good for fish, but not great for critters, breeding tanks with more floorspace and an enclosed top are better, plastic enclosures that hold heat and humidity more efficiently are best. You need a lot of wattage to heat it to the floor, the heat rises, and cooler air flows in from one side. You need to enclose most of the top, especially on the sides, then probably need a pair of heat lamps instead of one to heat a larger area with less intensity. Never put a light anywhere a snake can reach it, don't want it close enough to get the wire top too hot either, being the snake can get burned on the wire under the light too.

[Kris Mclaughlin]

Put one of your heat pads on the outside of the tank on the hot side. It helps out alot.

[AnnaK231]

I've got two 75 watt iridescent light bulbs going in a dual dome sitting on the screen top. One stays on all the time, the other is on a timer I've rigged to act like a thermostat until I get one. I've foil covered 90% of the screen top with holes for air flow. I've got a 55 gallon. Temps on hot spot are at 87-88 and cool side is 83-85. I don't have a UTH yet because he got burnt when our old one melted. I'm excited to get a herpstat soon. I also covered the back and two sides and one underside with blue foam board from lowes. We don't heat our house that high so we had to get creative.

Im thinking of making a plexiglass top to go ontop of the screen soon.

[Kris Mclaughlin]

How you place items, plants, and decorations will effect this as well. Try a nice thick fake plant in the center to trap most of the heat on one side. Most 55g are only 12" wide. So it will help make make a nice hot pocket.

[DennisM]

Main issue is the tank is long and tall with only 4 sq ft of floorspace, good for fish, but not great for critters....

Agreed, honestly I don't know why anyone would chose to house a snake in a glass tank of this size. For a few bucks more you could purchase an AP T8 with twice the floor space minus the unneeded height. And it will be easier to maintain temp and humidity. Plus the T8 probably weighs about 1/4 the aquarium.

[Reinz]

Agreed, honestly I don't know why anyone would chose to house a snake in a glass tank of this size. For a few bucks more you could purchase an AP T8 with twice the floor space minus the unneeded height. And it will be easier to maintain temp and humidity. Plus the T8 probably weighs about 1/4 the aquarium.

It's just ignorance.

I never heard of plastic (nontub) enclosures until I joined this forum. By then it was too late. I already hit Petsmart and loaded up on my Reptile tank and accessories. Which I hate to say cost More than a T8.

If AP, Vision, and others started selling at the pet retailers then the prices would increase dramatically.

So basically, like any other hobby or sport, the well educated consumer always comes out ahead!

[Kris Mclaughlin]

There are those of us that do not like plastic racks or tubs... I
But thats just me...

Theres errors all around. No ones perfect. So how about trying to help the guy instead of flaming yah?

[pbyeerts]

I recently discovered the Exo Terra Heat Wave Heat Panel, which can be placed along the wall, as well as under a glass tank. Perhaps that will work for you?

[DennisM]

Does anyone use radiant heat panels in their glass tanks? That might be the way to go.