Cool side is too cool

[jcmb223]

So I recently got my first ball python, my second snake with my corn being my first. He's a 3 year old pinstripe I got on Craigslist. I keep him in a 40 gallon breeder with an 11" x 11" ultratherm UTH. There's a hide on both sides as well as several plants. I'm currently using aspen but I'm about to switch to cypress. My problem is while the hot side is good, 88° to 92°, the cool side is only around 70° to 72°. He actually spends most of his time in the cool hide but I'm pretty sure that 72° is too cold for the cool side. Does anyone have suggestions for raising the temperature?

[magicmed]

Possibly set up a low wattage red heat light? I couldn't imagine in a tank that size you would need more than a 40 to 60 watt to bump it up a few degrees.

[Mr. Misha]

How are you measuring these temps? Additionally, what is your ambient temps in the terrarium on hot and cold sides?

Photos of the terrarium would be very helpful.

I'd recommend a dome with a 100w CHE (ceramic heat emitter). The CHE bulb will last longer than other bulbs especially if you have it on 24/7.

[magicmed]

How are you measuring these temps? Additionally, what is your ambient temps in the terrarium on hot and cold sides?

Photos of the terrarium would be very helpful.

I'd recommend a dome with a 100w CHE (ceramic heat emitter). The CHE bulb will last longer than other bulbs especially if you have it on 24/7.

Do they really last longer? I've always used red bulbs and I've heard ceramics were more reliable but haven't given them a shot. Are they as effective at heat output as bulbs? I may pick one up and swap out my reds if they're effective and safe.

[Mr. Misha]

Do they really last longer? I've always used red bulbs and I've heard ceramics were more reliable but haven't given them a shot. Are they as effective at heat output as bulbs? I may pick one up and swap out my reds if they're effective and safe.

Honestly, I thinking they're a lot better than the red bulbs. The ones that I was using for about two years never went out and still work. They heat up very quickly and they don't produce any light so that was always a plus for me.

The only downside is that they're a bit pricey.

[magicmed]

Hmm, do they get any hotter than bulbs? I mean the elements themselves? I guess I'm asking if there's a higher fire risk? I saw some in the pet shop for around 20. I'll pick one up tomorrow with the food. What wattage on ceramics would you recommend for a 20 gallon long? ( sorry I didn't mean to hijack your thread op, but I have this problem on cold days and all I have found to do was add a bulb on those days as a higher watt bulb would make warm side too hot, I'm hoping a ceramic might help that?)

[Mr. Misha]

Hmm, do they get any hotter than bulbs? I mean the elements themselves? I guess I'm asking if there's a higher fire risk? I saw some in the pet shop for around 20. I'll pick one up tomorrow with the food. What wattage on ceramics would you recommend for a 20 gallon long? ( sorry I didn't mean to hijack your thread op, but I have this problem on cold days and all I have found to do was add a bulb on those days as a higher watt bulb would make warm side too hot, I'm hoping a ceramic might help that?)

Yes, since they're ceramic they do get very hot. Not sure if they get hotter than other bulbs though.

I'd recommend getting a 100w and a dimmer to adjust the heat. That way if you upgrade to a bigger enclosure, you don't have to buy a bigger bulb. Also useful on cold days.

[jcmb223]

I measure the temperatures with a non-contact infrared temp gun. The ambient temperatures are 70° cool side and 75° hot side. I think I'll go with heat lamp with a CHE or infrared bulb as suggested. I have an extra lamp that's a Fluker's 5.5" w/ dimmer but while it works overall, the dimmer switch doesn't. Would it still be safe to use or should I get a different one?

[Mr. Misha]

I measure the temperatures with a non-contact infrared temp gun. The ambient temperatures are 70° cool side and 75° hot side. I think I'll go with heat lamp with a CHE or infrared bulb as suggested. I have an extra lamp that's a Fluker's 5.5" w/ dimmer but while it works overall, the dimmer switch doesn't. Would it still be safe to use or should I get a different one?

Depending on what wattage bulb you get, you might need to get a new dome. I looked up the one you have and it's only rated for a 75w bulb.

[jcmb223]

I picked up a Zilla Mini Halogen lamp with a 25 watt red night time bulb today. With it, I was able to get the ball python's temps right about perfect. Thanks for all of the input I received.