another noob, is my setup correct?

[tttaylorrr]

i have a t-stat on order, will be here wednesday, and i will be picking up a dimmer tomorrow after i see what a straight light does now that i changed bulb (went from blue 50 to red 75) as it stands now the ambient temps i think are looking good, still need another thermo for inside under substrate i think though, or move one of the ones i have reading ambient to hot side under substrate and centralize the other? based on the how to set up a glass tank sticky he only used one or two thermo's and one was buried under the substrate over the UTH.

yes, an additional thermometer + probe under the hot side substrate is ideal. your UTH is unplugged, right (sorry, on mobile so can't look back as easily)?
you're doing just fine, just keep monitoring and find out what you need to adjust. ask away if you need help.
and keep us updated!

[CALM Pythons]

okay, so after a day of running all around town i got two new thermo's for ambient readings, cut down on the two inches of substrate i had, new hide and changed up the light setup to the center with a red bulb, and ordered a t-stat. i HAD a nice tub for her while working on the tank but when i was done and i was positioning the thermo, like an idiot, set the lamp in the tub and melted my new tub, so im not in the best of moods right now especially since im having a heck of a time getting one of the thermos probe suction cups to hold so i have run out of patience for the day. already opened up a knuckle in my frustration. here is a pic.



waiting for everything to stabilize to get temp readings, right now ambients are low 70's hot and cold side but i just shut it so hot side should go up. i can only fit one of the hides in my tank, i couldnt find a smaller version of this but larger then their next smallest size so idk, guess i have to get a bigger tank?

update:

here is current temps after about 5 or 6 hours

cold side ambient and humidity



hot side ambient

We just consider those ambient temps Cool side temps (which are perfect 76-81) because the Hot Side temp is the UTH.
I had to laugh when you said you melted the tub, i know what those days are like hahahahahaha.
As far as a bigger tank, if I new you before you started all this I would of recomended a T8 or T10. Animal Plastics make professional PVC display enclosures. They are on sale for: t8- $150 or t10- $199. (T10 is 3" taller, easier to get in there and clean and also better for Balls that like to climb. They take a couple months to get after you order them... Otherwise you can always go to a 30 gal long or something. The only thing is you'll spend as much buying a new Aquirum, screened lid and all that... Id say for your next upgrade get the AP T8 or T10. You cant beat sliding glass doors, no screen to loose Humidity/Heat ect...
This isnt something you have to do right now.. Think a couple weeks and see what way you want to go. At least now you understand how to keep your Tank in check..keep that UTH at 88-90 and the tank ambient aprox 76-81. I'll
post a link with the AP enclosures so you can look at some pics and how you set them up. Much easier than a Glass tank. Scroll down and it shows them all set up. Ps- like taylor said.. The Dimmer is for the UTH... You need the dimmer and a TStat for the other heat source. I know you ordered a tstat.. But get the Hot spot going. They need the basking spot 90.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-With-Pictures!

[Chappy4o]

10-4 i really appreciate it.

yes the UTH is currently unplugged until my t-stat gets here.

tomorrow ill get a dimmer and probably hit the hobby store for some black construction paper to wrap the back and sides

[Craiga 01453]

You seem to be well on your way. Keep asking questions and taking the advice you receive on this forum and it'll get easier for you. It'll be worth it once you and your snake are settled. It seems like a lot now, but you have many years to enjoy your amazing new animal. Granted the learning part should never end, the initial learning curve is almost behind you. Good work!

[Craiga 01453]

okay, so after a day of running all around town i got two new thermo's for ambient readings, cut down on the two inches of substrate i had, new hide and changed up the light setup to the center with a red bulb, and ordered a t-stat. i HAD a nice tub for her while working on the tank but when i was done and i was positioning the thermo, like an idiot, set the lamp in the tub and melted my new tub, so im not in the best of moods right now especially since im having a heck of a time getting one of the thermos probe suction cups to hold so i have run out of patience for the day. already opened up a knuckle in my frustration. here is a pic.



waiting for everything to stabilize to get temp readings, right now ambients are low 70's hot and cold side but i just shut it so hot side should go up. i can only fit one of the hides in my tank, i couldnt find a smaller version of this but larger then their next smallest size so idk, guess i have to get a bigger tank?

update:

here is current temps after about 5 or 6 hours

cold side ambient and humidity



hot side ambient

At first glance, I thought the plush stuffed toy outside the enclosure was your snake!!! Hahahahahaha!!! Did a quick double take, then laughed at myself for a minute. So thanks for that!! Hahahahahaha!!

[Chappy4o]

At first glance, I thought the plush stuffed toy outside the enclosure was your snake!!! Hahahahahaha!!! Did a quick double take, then laughed at myself for a minute. So thanks for that!! Hahahahahaha!!

hahaha yeah, when i was first setting up the enclosure i happened to look over at the entertainment system tower next to where the tank is and saw a bunch of stuff my old roommate left and that snake was one of them and i thought . . . wow . . . how appropriate lmao

update on the tank, after sitting for over 12 hrs i have a cold side ambient of 76*F and a hot side ambient of 81*F and that is with no dimmer and a 75w red bulb. still gonna get the dimmer since it is February so im sure temps will rise in summer. (i live in New Mexico)

she is still up in the grapevine but im sure thats because the UTH is off

also i have yet to think of a name for her she is some form of a citrus (so im told) what do you all think?

[tttaylorrr]

clementine 😛

[CALM Pythons]

hahaha yeah, when i was first setting up the enclosure i happened to look over at the entertainment system tower next to where the tank is and saw a bunch of stuff my old roommate left and that snake was one of them and i thought . . . wow . . . how appropriate lmao

update on the tank, after sitting for over 12 hrs i have a cold side ambient of 76*F and a hot side ambient of 81*F and that is with no dimmer and a 75w red bulb. still gonna get the dimmer since it is February so im sure temps will rise in summer. (i live in New Mexico)

she is still up in the grapevine but im sure thats because the UTH is off

also i have yet to think of a name for her she is some form of a citrus (so im told) what do you all think?

good so those temps are perfect for a Cool to Med gradiant.. Now get that UTH on so you have a Hot Side so the snake can bask. Thats where they soend most if there time and it also helps boost their immune system. Good Job too

[Chappy4o]

good so those temps are perfect for a Cool to Med gradiant.. Now get that UTH on so you have a Hot Side so the snake can bask. Thats where they soend most if there time and it also helps boost their immune system. Good Job too

thanks, those ambient temps are taken from cold side near the substrate surface and hot side about halfway up (dang suction cup wont stick . . . grrrr) when i get my t-stat tomorrow ill move one thermo under the substrate over the UTH (basically under the hide. and ill move the other to the center of the back wall. still thinking i may want to get one more thermo or a hydro/thermo combo

[CALM Pythons]

I use DAP KITCHEN & Bath Silicone to get probes and wires to stay in place under substrate... (snake has to be out for like 30min cause it stinks). Never tape (incase I didnt tell you).
Dont get to crazy with all the Thermometers hahaha that snake will be all tied up in wires in a couple weeks when it starts coming out at night hahahaha.
Try and keep things as simple as posible. When it pisses all over your going to be pulling it all apart to clean.