Mega-ray

[Travic]

By light do you mean the sunlight coming in my window or a lamp over the tub?

If I got a heating lamp I'd replace the plastic top with a wire mesh one and put the lamp on that.

[starmom]

I guess I don't understand how the light is set up if you have him in a tub...? Do you have a thermostat regulating the heat output of the UTH??
Also, providing 2 identical hides is called for, unless the tub is in a rack??? Some of my snakes use hides in the rack system and some (even though offered) never use them! Is there a way for you to post pictures? That would really be helpful!
With regards to your vet: I have not ever heard or read new research that suggests UV lighting a needed for Python regius. Does your vet have a research article (or anything) that you could share about this? I am interested in new research findings and findings from long-time breeders of this python.
Thanks!!!

[waltah!]

I can't imagine not being able to get a good warm side temp with a UTH and a tub. What are you using to measure those temps? If it's a digital thermometer with a probe, where do you have the probe? I just know that unregulated a UTH will get to over 115F on the warm side. If everything is setup properly, then it could just be a faulty UTH. Pics would definitely help I think. I know that many people use newspaper without hide boxes....just make sure there is some crumpled up paper on each side if you are not using hides.....although I would always recommend using identical hides with a bp.

[Travic]

Sorry I don't have anyway to take pictures. The UTH has several heat settings that I switch between. Temperatures were measure with a laser temp gun and an Acu-rite temp/humidity sensor.

Vet didn't mention where they got the information from.

Basically I'm frustrated because I want a good heating solution, but everyone I talk to says something different. Some say ambient should be 80-90 some say it doesn't matter. Some say UTH are horrible some say they're awesome. I'm just so confused.

The UTH is making me angry because if I put it on low he gets cold (to the touch) and if I increase it he won't get on it and he'll get cold.

[starmom]

Sorry I don't have anyway to take pictures. The UTH has several heat settings that I switch between. Temperatures were measure with a laser temp gun and an Acu-rite temp/humidity sensor.

Vet didn't mention where they got the information from.

Basically I'm frustrated because I want a good heating solution, but everyone I talk to says something different. Some say ambient should be 80-90 some say it doesn't matter. Some say UTH are horrible some say they're awesome. I'm just so confused.

The UTH is making me angry because if I put it on low he gets cold (to the touch) and if I increase it he won't get on it and he'll get cold.

Are you using a human heating pad? You need a thermostat to control the heat. I can't speak to UTH brands since mine are on flex watt, but you need a t'stat. Ambient temps are air temps; mine are usually right around 78-80F. My belly heat surface is 92F and my cool side surface is 84-85F. Does this help?

[Crazydude]

Maybe your vets getting confused with bearded dragon and Ball python?

Anyway, A megaray would not work in a tub that is for snakes, regardless of species inside.

In general, Mega-rays are the best and strongest UVB lights on the market, And would be a little much for a snake even if they do need UVB.

Also a Megaray depending on wattage needs to be at least 12" from the spot on lowest wattage so its not to high UVB output. So if your using a tall tub, maybe.

Again lights tend to dry up the air so it may solve one problem, create another.

And also you dont want it on 24/7, so at night it wouldnt do any good.

As for snakes with UVB, ive read multiple sources saying its possibly benificial, but none really that says its needed as it is for other reptiles. If so, a snake would only receive it late afternoon, early morning, so the levels would be very low, equivilent to a tube UVB light, not a Megaray which is stronger then the florida sunshine. Anyway, ive read they are finding different "nocturnal species" bask dusk and dawn, and do use UVB, a mega-ray would be overkill and stress the snake out, even if it did need it.

I would assume it is useful, I mean even humans benifit from it, but snakes are not in a manner where its do or die.

Heat pads are great for snakes. A good UTH will do the job, and if ambient are way to low maybe a CHE, As for heat pads, zoo-med are trusty, and then a simple thermostat, and your good.

[littleindiangirl]

Don't measure if the UTH is working based on how cool or warm your snakes feels. He may be in the middle of thermoregulating, your temperature is much higher than his, so its not a reliable way to measure if it's hot enough.

A good UTH will keep a steady temperature when used in conjunction with a thermostat to control it.

Set the thermostat for the UTH to 92 degrees on his hot spot. Under the tub it will be much warmer, but we want his hot spot to be inbetween 90-94.

For the ambient (air) temps in the rest of the tub, his cool side should best be around 80-84.

If your still having troubles, try and give us dimensions of everything your using, and even better a picture. A tub should not be hard to heat up.

[spix14]

By lamp I meant the UVB light you said you are using. If you are keeping your bp in a plastic tub, I'm curious to know how exactly you have the light set up. As far as the heating pad goes, what brand is it? Also, what exactly are you using to measure the temperature in the tub?