Ambient temp problems

[Camel Zombie]

I cant keep a proper ambient temp in my 40 gallon breeder tank for my ball python. Yes, I know that the source of my problem is having too big of a glass tank, but I won't change my BP to a new enclosure.

Humidity does perfectly well with the screen top completely uncovered. I also keep some moss in there for shedding or if the humidity gets too low. But I can't keep a proper ambient temp.

I have a properly sized uth regulated by a thermostat for the hot side, and the hot hide gets to the proper temperature. I also have a smaller uth meant for a 20 gallon taped to the side of the cage next to the cold hide constantly on, but that doesnt really do anything for the temperature besides creating a hot spot on the glass.

My house is usually around 71° and gets as low as 65°. What I started doing is turning on my 100 watt red incandescent light bulb and leaving it in the middle of the cage on overnight. The highest it ever got at night was 75°. I overslept and woke up at around 3:30 PM and it was at 77° wich was the highest temp reading recorded on the thermometer.

My humidity didn't suffer too bad since I soaked the moss before I went to bed. But thing is that I can't leave this lamp on 24/7. It will dry out the air way too much and I would have to constantly spray down the moss. I also think that the red light bothers my snake, I pulled an all-nighter and checked for my snake, he never left his hide or even poked his head out. I'm not sure what it meant but he could've just not wanted to leave the hide.

Another problem is that me and my family leave the house every other weekend to spend 2-3 days in my grandparents hoise across the city. This is usually long enough for the house temp to get as low as 55° in the winter.

I'm torn on what to do. I have the 20 gallon uth and the 100 watt red incandescent light bulb on a 5.5 inch dome light fixture to work with. I dont plan on doing anything crazy with the cage or switching enclosure, but I can invest in a CHE and/or thermostat. Pretty much anything that doesn't break the bank too badly.

P.S. Does the temperature inside the cold hide need to be different if the ambient temperature is perfect?

[Camel Zombie]

P.S.S. Sorry if there are any grammatical errors or contradiction in the thread, I am sick and under some heavy med that makee a bit loopy.

[LittleTreeGuy]

So... I'm still a novice at this, but I've put in a lot of time reading and researching. I know from what I've read, not from experiences with different setups myself.

So, given your situation, Here is what I would do if I found myself in your shoes... (I'd consider a new tank, but I know you don't want to do that.... but really, it would make things easier... but I digress)

... for a tank of that size, I'm guessing it's fairly long and high... I would consider getting two CHE (ceramic heat emitter) bulbs, 100w (if not bigger) and put them on lamp dimmer switches. You could put one over the cool side of the tank, and another one in the center of the tank. One on the cool side may be all you need, so you could start with that and see where it gets you, but know, you may need more, depending on the height of your tank. Then you can use the dimmer switch to control how much heat the che puts out. It will likely need to be cranked up all the way. This MAY raise your ambient temps, but it will also cut your humidity way down. Trust me on that... my che cut my humidity almost in half in a small plastic enclosure.

[distaff]

Radiant Heat Panel (RHP) from Reptile Basics.
I have three.
Our house frequently gets down to 55 at night. We only heat with wood, and the stove is at the other end of the house.

[Camel Zombie]

Thank you for being cooperative. I totally agree that using a plastic tub would make my life much easier and less expensive, but I already made the investment of using a glass tank so might as well invest a little more for the animal to be as happy as he would be in a tub.

Plus, my mom wouldn't agree with putting a snake in a plastic tub with an "insecure" lid due to her....respectfully...ignorance with snakes.

I have also thought of buying a small room heater and regulating it with a thermostat. But I'm not sure of my parents' thoughts on having the heater unmonitered by people while we're away.

And I shouldnt worry too much about the air drying out. The humidity in my area is usually perfect for BP's, and with the added moss, the humidity should be good. I would also put foil and a damp towel on top if necessary.

[Camel Zombie]

Note: The tank is 17 inches tall. I adjusted the lamp a bit. My probe thermometer inside the cold hide is at 70° and going down with the lamp above it slightly to the side. My digital thermometer in the middle reads at 75° going up with 53% humidity going up. And the hot side is perfectly fine. Ivw got pictures if you guys need to visualize the cage. I would also add that the tank is sitting on hardwood floor (I've got protection for the uth discoloring the wood).

[Camel Zombie]

UPDATE: I just ordered two 100 watt CHEs with appropriate light fixtures and dimmers. They will be arriving the 14th...should I also include a thermostat for when I leave my house on the weekends or should it be no problem with the dimmers?

[Snake Judy]

You'll definitely want a thermostat. Every heat source should have one. Unless your house holds a very steady temperature the dimmers will have to be adjusted constantly which is no good if you're away. Hydrofarm makes a good cheap but reliable stat which you can get for about $30 on Amazon.

[Camel Zombie]

You'll definitely want a thermostat. Every heat source should have one. Unless your house holds a very steady temperature the dimmers will have to be adjusted constantly which is no good if you're away. Hydrofarm makes a good cheap but reliable stat which you can get for about $30 on Amazon.

Awesome, Im about to order it. I already have one for my uth but another won't hurt. The problem is that I might be suing two CHEs and the thermostat only plugs in one. But that's only if I do need to use two CHEs.

[Camel Zombie]

Also, where would the probe go? Just in the middle of the cage? On the bedding? Or suspended in the air?