Noob post- Affordable, effective heating pad (+thermostat?) for glass 40 gal setup

[Kippykins]

I just got a cute new BP (very unexpectedly, weird story in another post) a few days ago, an approx. 550g sweet-as-pie pastel girl, and want to make sure that she has everything she needs to be happy. I got her an under-tank heating pad, a comfy hide (getting a second one for the other side here shortly), some greenery under which she can hide, a little climb stick (that I didn't expect her to love but she's all over it during her active times). The thermometer/hydrometer (is that the right term) that came with her tank looks crummy to me, and I'm not certain how much I trust its output.

After installing the pad, the heat only read out to be about 82 on the "hot" side, which obviously worried me. I grabbed a 75w heat lamp that I've used for rehabbing other animals, but her enclosure still doesn't read much higher on average- 92 was the highest on a hot day the other day. It got particularly cold last night and I was mortified to wake up and see her thermometer reading at 74. She was more than okay with me taking her out to snuggle her warmer until I had to leave for work, but that's far from a viable solution. I want to get something that can handle Texas's wild temperature fluctuations and keep her cage at a stable temperature. I also feel like I need a new thermometer, or a thermostat to monitor/control a new heating element.

Obviously, I spent a bunch of money getting all of her initial equipment (because I'm apparently too dumb to check local classifieds) and am kind of strapped, but I don't want her to suffer for it. Does anyone have any effective, economical suggestions? There's a good chance I'll upgrade it later because that's how I am, but I'm worried about the little lady right now. I can't be letting down my newest family addition!

[EL-Ziggy]

Congrats on your new BP Kip. If you're looking for an inexpensive but reliable UTH and thermostat I would check out the Ultratherm uths and the Hydrofarm Jumpstart t-stats. I've used both for years with no issues.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm-heat-pads

https://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTP...art+thermostat

[CALM Pythons]

Tell me what you have now as far as a UTH.
How did you get 82 from the heat pad? Is that the Pad or the air (ambient temp)??

PS: What El-Ziggy said is the cheapest reliable products youll find. Dont listen to pet store workers.. They know nothing. All you need is the $19.99 heat pad from RB for your size tank/snake.

[tttaylorrr]

Tell me what you have now as far as a UTH.
How did you get 82 from the heat pad? Is that the Pad or the air (ambient temp)??

x2 on these questions. also, is your thermometer/hygrometer digital or analog/dial?

http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm-heat-pads

https://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTP...art+thermostat

x2 on these products. i've used both and (when properly set up) have never had issues.

you don't mention a thermostat for the UTH you have now. if it's unregulated PLEASE unplug the UTH: they are dangerous when unregulated, reaching well over 100° and can kill your snake. you say you have a bulb, so going with out a UTH for a bit until you pick up your new UTH AND thermostat will not cause any harm to the snake.

[Kippykins]

It's a flimsy-looking dial thermometer that I have attached about an inch and change above her substrate, so it's measuring ambient.

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[Kippykins]

This is what I currently have going for her. You can't see the thermometer well from here, but it's by the rightmost piece of hanging greenery.

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[Kippykins]

Sorry to spam you guys, but thanks for the warning too! I'll unplug her heating pad when I get home. What is a good ambient air temperature, or does that matter less than the pad temp?

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[tttaylorrr]

It's a flimsy-looking dial thermometer that I have attached about an inch and change above her substrate, so it's measuring ambient.

unfortunately those dial thermometers are practically worthless in terms of accuracy. try to get an AcuRite digital thermometer/hygrometer from walmart or amazon. also laser temp guns are an invaluable tool most of us use to spot check temperatures as well as their hot spot; i recommend looking into them.

Sorry to spam you guys, but thanks for the warning too! I'll unplug her heating pad when I get home. What is a good ambient air temperature, or does that matter less than the pad temp?

ambient should never drop below 75°, and anywhere around 80° is perfect for them. i try to keep my enclosures between 77-80°. if you keep your ambient temperature at the correct spot, not using a UTH will be fine for a few days.

[Kippykins]

Thank you all so much for your wonderful input! I'm glad I joined this forum, everyone has been fantastic so far, and I appreciate your patience!

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[CALM Pythons]

Thank you all so much for your wonderful input! I'm glad I joined this forum, everyone has been fantastic so far, and I appreciate your patience!

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Get that UTH on a Jump Start Thermostat or a Dimmer switch from Lowes.. Any way you look at it he needs a Basking spot of 88-91... And the ambient 76-81... Get a Probe thermometer to check surface heat.. Here is a Link to see how you can hook up thermometers and tstats/ uth ect..
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-With-Pictures!