Another newbie, thinking ahead

[Bogertophis]

So the recommendation above of two heat pads, would that be if I went the tub route or would that work in a glass tank as well. I have read that the UTH don't do anything for ambient temp in the tank, just the spot directly above them. Just my personal preference but I prefer the more natural look of a tank as apposed to a tub, so right now I would rather go that route and deal with the heating issues. If 68 or so degrees in the room is enough to allow me to just run 2 UTH's I would do that. I know nothing about them but they seem safer overall then a UTH or heat lamp.

UTH works for glass tank too, & I'm one of those "dinosaurs" here that happens to prefer & use all glass tanks, I'm just not currently keeping BPs...I have in the past though.I also run a house-full of UTH, & have for 34+ years now. Heat rises...UTH heat rises into the tank OR tub...it's what you do to KEEP it there that matters.

The thing is that in a cool house, you'll want (need) to insulate whatever you house your snake in for best results. Many ways to do that easily, & many inexpensive & readily available materials to do that with. I prefer the nice visibility of glass, also that it's inert (not off-gassing who-knows-what like plastic does) & non-combustible. Plastics also scratch readily, & in time get foggy, even if only wiped with paper towels. Plastic is lighter weight & cheaper, but neither makes it better to me, anyway. Many here disagree.

Easy to install styro-foam-board, sheet cork (or cork tiles), corrugated cardboard, poster board (foam core), even carpet tiles (self stick), etc.- on the back & sides of a glass tank; also you can add about 4" along the bottom of the front without missing much, & underneath (but allow the required 'breathing' gaps for UTH safe operation!!!).

Many will claim that the professional 'plastic' (PVC or HDPE) enclosures hold the warmth in better than glass, but much of that is because there is very little air exchange, so keep that in mind whatever you go with. Minimize vents as needed: those keeping BPs or other species needing more humidity already cover much of the screen tops anyway in order to keep in the humidity, but it will keep in heat too. You & your kids will learn (or practice) a little science along with keeping snakes.

Another really good insulator is wood...yes, you can line the outside of a tank with thin plywood, but instead, you can also find a nice home entertainment type cabinet in a thrift store (for cheap!) into which your glass tank sits...that's another way to go...you're only limited by your imagination. BTW, you don't have to "look at" your insulation either...on a glass tank, install some nice scenery first (sold it pet stores & online for this purpose...much is for fish, but some works for reptiles nicely too), then attach insulation behind that. Voila!