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Thread: Heat pad on/off

  1. #1
    Registered User JustinGatCat's Avatar
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    Heat pad on/off

    Hey everyone

    so so I was wondering about how long should I keep my ball python's heat pad plugged in. I've had
    beardies and I currently have a turtle, who's heat came from a lamp and of course, those should go off
    at night; My fishes heater turns on/off automatically to keep the temperature steady. But being my first snake, I'm unsure wether I give him heat in cycles ( 12 hrs on/12 hrs off) or have his heat on continually.

  2. #2
    Registered User Souriant's Avatar
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    If it is the main source of heat, then I would say keep it on all day and throughout the night, but you may want a second opinion.

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    Re: Heat pad on/off

    Quote Originally Posted by Souriant View Post
    If it is the main source of heat, then I would say keep it on all day and throughout the night, but you may want a second opinion.

    Not for nothing - BUT - you literally JUST started a thread with issues of not being prepared as a new snake owner, MAYBE you shouldn't be giving advice quite yet...
    Last edited by BR8080; 05-31-2017 at 03:56 AM.
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  5. #4
    BPnet Royalty KMG's Avatar
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    There is no need for a temp drop and it is common practice to keep the heat steady 24/7.

    As long as the uth is on a thermostat it is fine to leave it at the same temp so the snake can utilize it whenever it wants.

    If you don't have a tstat you should unplug the uth immediately as it can harm and even kill your snake unregulated.
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  7. #5
    Registered User JustinGatCat's Avatar
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    Would it be bad for my Ball Python's health if it's off at night though? Is it like absolutely necessary for them to have 24/hr heat? Pua is on a Zoo-Med Repti-therm small UTH for 10-20 gallons which is 16 watts. How would I connect a heat control thermostat to such a heat mat?
    Last edited by JustinGatCat; 05-31-2017 at 04:25 AM.

  8. #6
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    Re: Heat pad on/off

    Quote Originally Posted by JustinGatCat View Post
    Would it be bad for my Ball Python's health if it's off at night though? Is it like absolutely necessary for them to have 24/hr heat? Pua is on a Zoo-Med Repti-therm small UTH for 10-20 gallons which is 16 watts. How would I connect a heat control thermostat to such a heat mat?
    Unplug the uth until you get a tstat.

    A tstat is simple to set up. All you do is plug the tstat into the wall and then plug the uth into the tstat. You run the tstat probe under the tank sandwiched between the uth and the bottom of the tank. Then you just figure out what temp you need the tstat set to give a proper hotspot.

    A snake needs you to provide temps within the proper range at all times. How you do this is up to you. I have a heated snake room so I don't need lamps or uth but I choose to provide them with uth anyways. That's a personal choice. They would be fine without it but it is there if they want it.

    Realize a uth does nothing for your air temp and it is easy to use a lamp to provide a hotspot and proper air temps at the same time. Until you get a tstat unplug the uth and use a lamp alone. You do have a lamp?
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  10. #7
    BPnet Royalty KMG's Avatar
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    To see some nice tstats check out Herpstat. I have four and love them.

    http://www.spyderrobotics.com/index....=index&cPath=1
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    Registered User Souriant's Avatar
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    Re: Heat pad on/off

    Quote Originally Posted by BR8080 View Post
    Not for nothing - BUT - you literally JUST started a thread with issues of not being prepared as a new snake owner, MAYBE you shouldn't be giving advice quite yet...
    That's why I said to get a second opinion, as I am quoting research :/

  12. #9
    Registered User JustinGatCat's Avatar
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    I do not have a heat lamp for my python. I've asked around a lot and many
    have told me that they don't need special lighting and it was up to me and the heat pad would suffice for the main heat; I just needed to watch humidity and temperature. He's currently
    in a 40gt tub.

  13. #10
    BPnet Royalty KMG's Avatar
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    Re: Heat pad on/off

    Quote Originally Posted by JustinGatCat View Post
    I do not have a heat lamp for my python. I've asked around a lot and many
    have told me that they don't need special lighting and it was up to me and the heat pad would suffice for the main heat; I just needed to watch humidity and temperature. He's currently
    in a 40gt tub.
    I wouldn't ask them any more questions if that's the info they gave you. You should dive into past threads here and learn what your snake needs.

    The snakes don't need light, they need the heat which comes from the light bulb. You can use a red bulb 24/7 if you like. The snakes doesn't care.

    You can use other heat sources but it does not seem like the other options are going to work well for you right now. Those would be things like a oil filled heater or rhp.

    A uth does nothing for your air temp. You need to make sure the air temp is within the proper range. I shoot for 77-84. As long as it is within range that will be fine for your snake. 75-88 will work but I prefer my range.

    What is the temp in the tub?
    What is the room temp?
    KMG
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