Quote Originally Posted by denisthemenace
Ok im tired of spending countless nights researching... Im not sure what to do anymore, because im still facing the same problem Tank or Plastic? I want to create the best environment possible for my future ball and im just lost in my notes...

Since in my previous post ive stated that I think it will be difficult to maintain constant necessary temps. due to my location (NYC) esp considering its winter. I dont know how a single UTH that takes up 1/3 of the floor space will heat the whole enclosure meanwhile creating a hot spot of 92 and a cool side of 82 give or take. Is heat normally transmitted that way? So i started looking into dual thermostat (found a dual habistat on ebay) for around 60 shipped, im not sure if im going to be needing a dual but lets leave it as just in case. Another problem was the UV lighting .. major question Do i need any form of lighting? Because i never seen any plastic vivs with lighting and the MG packages dont offer anything but claim to be a perfect package for a ball.
Yet I know that Flourescent light daily cycles can prevent the common Off feed.

This is how I envisioned the tank set up (i might be over doing it)
20G tank
Dual Fixture Hood (Sun glow, IR)
Dig. Thermometer/Hydrometer (to measure the air)
2 probe thermometer (one for cool one for hot)
Dual Thermostat for both UTH (to regulate the cool side and for the other to adj. to the Light in the Basking spot)
Timer (10 on 14 off cycle considering its winter)
.. i think thats about it

Hopefully ill get some knowledgeable feedback soon...with maybe some helpfull recommendations in regards to the whole set up.
Well this is what MG Reptiles suggests....Aquariums are one of the hardest forms of caging to heat unless you have a dedicated room that is maintained to 80-85 degrees all the time.. Light bulbs for heating should be left to McDonalds to keep their burgers warm.. You need some type of belly heat to allow the animal to lay on.. Using a bulb to raise the ambient temps is perfectly fine but they do poorly on thermostats because of the super fragile element inside the bulb.. You will spend alot more on replacing bulbs in the ling run then if you had bought the correct setup the first time around..

Ball pythons do not require lighting, UV included.. As long as there is light in the room where the cage will be, your good to go(bright lighting will throw the animal off feed if left on 24/7).. The tub packages are indeed complete(not a claim, it is a fact).. They come with everything you need to mainatin your heating for your animal and to monitor the temps.. We do not include all the pretties because everyones taste is different(water bowls, etc)..

As far as a choice of thermostat that depends on your wallet and what you nee the thermostat to do for you.. If you need it to control the temps and keep flames out of your house then a Johnsons or Ranco is perfectly fine.. If you need one to do the above and have acess to a night drop then a herpstat is what I woudl recommend..

Ok i am going back to the cage now..lol....