15 Gallon Tank Questions

[amcgltdchix]

I have my BP in a 15 gallon critter keeper tank (slip lock lid).

I have a UTH, Day light heat bulb, ceramic heat bulb and a moon light-for tropical night temps.

Humidity is usually around 35%. I do spritz her fake plants every morning to up the humidity since it drops a bit during the night. She has lots of fake plants and a huge branch in her tank, as well as a half log where the UTH heater is.

My problem is this. I have a digi therm/hygro and it says my tank is always at 81 degrees on the side of the UTH. The cool side therm says 75.

Grim is happy, active, a great eater, and the like. But I see you all talking about higher temps, when one of my BP books says to keep them between 78-85 degrees ambient temp with a basking spot in the 90's.

Am I doing something wrong?

[elevatethis]

Your temps, by the reading you are getting, are not what they should be. You say that your snake is a great eater, active, and otherwise healthy. A bp kept at 81 degrees constantly would probably not act the same way, so your readings may be off.

Where is the probe for the thermometer located?

It sounds like you have a pretty substancial setup for him right now. Not to bash it, but a 15 gallon aquarium is really not a good size tank to start with. Your humidity is too low, and that is a direct result of simply being in a glass tank. These tanks DO NOT hold humidity. Also, bright overhead lights tend to stress nocturnal species, such as bps.

He's otherwise healthy, so I hate to say that IMO this is not a 'good' setup. However, a lot of people do very different things and successfully keep these guys. Here's what is for sure though- your snake will outgrow that size tank, and very quickly. Also, smaller tanks like 10 and 15 gallon aquariums are very hard to heat properly, as you are finding out now.

I think that if you aren't having problems now, as your snake grows you will inevitably run into issues down the road. Consider adjusting your setup or changing it altogether, and we'll all be here to help you along the way!

[amcgltdchix]

My readings are off. I moved the temp/hyrometer to the center of the tank and its now reading at 80 degrees. When I probed the substrate on the hot side the top of the substrate read at 95, the cool 80. I did add a humidity cup to the mix now. I do know that Grim will need a larger tank eventually. In March I have a friend giving me a 125 gallon tank Thanks for the information! Hopefully by tomorrow in the AM things will look different!

[ddbjdealer]

Be careful with larger spaces (that 125g tank) an adult ball can be kept just fine in a 30g tank. They tend to feel more secure in smaller spaces.

[elevatethis]

Why waste a 125g tank on a bp when you could fil it with some african cichlids instead?

If you absolutely must stick with using glass tank, a 40 gallon breeder tank is perfect for an adult bp. It measures 36x18x18.

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