Mega-ray

[Travic]

I've been using an UTH for the past few weeks for my Ball Python, but he's started breathing harder and I think he needs some more serious heating. My vet recommended Mega-ray (www.reptileuv.com) Anyone have experience with these?

[starmom]

I've been using an UTH for the past few weeks for my Ball Python, but he's started breathing harder and I think he needs some more serious heating. My vet recommended Mega-ray (www.reptileuv.com) Anyone have experience with these?

Change your vet; ball pythons do not need any light source other than what naturally enters their environment. Did your vet inquire as to whether you had your UTH hooked to a thermostat? Do you know what the temp in the environment is? Could you share what your snake's set-up is; ie. cage, tub, tank.... Can you share why you took your snake to the vet? Maybe a picture of its enclosure would help us to help you since more information regarding your husbandry allows for more accurate suggestions!

[Travic]

Sorry for the scant information. I was trying to get a post in before I had to go do something.

It's a pretty basic setup at the moment. He's in a Sterilite tub. He has a large water bowl for soaking/humidity/drinking. There isn't a dedicated hide though. I've tried lots of boxes, wood crevices, etc., but he prefers to hide under the newspaper substrate. I took him to the vet because I just got him and wanted him checked out, mainly because I'm paranoid.

They recommended the Mega-ray because they said something about "we're learning now that BPs need UV light despite what was previously thought" so they said get it for the heating and UV.

If not the Mega-ray then should I go with a ceramic heater?

Basking temp: 85 F (The reason I want a better heater)
Ambient temp: 75 F

[spix14]

So if you are keeping him in a tub how do you have the light set up to get to him (not that he needs it). Ceramic heaters will suck the humidity out of the air, so if your undertank heater isn't up to par I'd recommend getting a new one and sticking with that method.

[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.