New owner with some questions

[Coins]

First post! Hello everyone.

I purchased a male ball python this week from a breeder and am having a lot of fun. The snake is 3 months old so he is a little one.





I purchased (1) UTH pad made for a 20 gallon tank which is what Im using. The breeder assured me this was enough but I cannot get the temp above 74. I know this is not hot enough and will be rectifying it today with some bulbs. I would have preferred UTH but oh well. Im curious as to why its not working, though.

His enclosure is a 20gallon high aquarium. The top is wire mesh but its covered with cling wrap except for a few inches to keep in heat and humidity. I will be changing this to aluminum tonight. I keep my house at 71 degrees.

Any suggestions?

[dalvers63]

With your tank being so high, the UTH is not going to raise the ambient temps that much. What is the temperature on the bottom of the tank, where the snake lives?

Do you have the UTH on a thermostat? If not, it is highly likely that it will get too hot for your snake and could cause burns.

Check out this post for some great info on housing BPs in glass tanks:

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=56846

[Coins]

With your tank being so high, the UTH is not going to raise the ambient temps that much. What is the temperature on the bottom of the tank, where the snake lives?

Do you have the UTH on a thermostat? If not, it is highly likely that it will get too hot for your snake and could cause burns.

Check out this post for some great info on housing BPs in glass tanks:

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=56846

I have it on a thermostat. The temp 2 inches above the base of the tank is 74. Is my UTH not working properly?

[snakelady]

Your room is probably too cold for the temps to get up high enough. Just insulate your tank. Put something around it to help it hold the temps. I use high-density foam-but there is a thread on here that has other options too. Don't remember what it's called...maybe someone else will. (Just don't get the insulation material by your light if you get one)
or just try a search for it.

[td30]

I have it on a thermostat. The temp 2 inches above the base of the tank is 74. Is my UTH not working properly?

What are you using for your substrate? How deep is it? Have you measured the temp under the substrate? My guess is that your UTH is working fine. A IR temp gun is perfect for quickly measuring surface temps. UTH's are good for belly temp, but not great at raising ambient temps. I have learned a ton going through exactly what you are going through now so keep the questions coming...you will find tons of help here.

[Coins]

What are you using for your substrate? How deep is it? Have you measured the temp under the substrate? My guess is that your UTH is working fine. A IR temp gun is perfect for quickly measuring surface temps. UTH's are good for belly temp, but not great at raising ambient temps. I have learned a ton going through exactly what you are going through now so keep the questions coming...you will find tons of help here.

I wrapped aluminum foil around the tank and covered the top with it. I also got a ceramic bulb and I'm using that with the UTH. It seems to be working. Thanks for the tips!

[td30]

I wrapped aluminum foil around the tank and covered the top with it. I also got a ceramic bulb and I'm using that with the UTH. It seems to be working. Thanks for the tips!

Well the CHE will help with the ambient temp, but watch the humidity closely. They tend to dry things out.

[Coins]

Forgot to answer those questions. Im using Aspen subtrate. Two hides, one cold side and one hot side, and a water bowl. I have one of those Wal-Mart temp/humidity guages and a thermostat. Right now the cold side is around 79 and the hot side goes between 90 and 91. My humidity is around 46% and tonight Im going to buy a mister so I can bump that up a bit. He seems content now. He was out exploring yesterday after I bumped up the heat.

It was funny. My wife was terrified of snakes but finally relented and let me buy buy him after I took her to an exotic animal rescue. Id been trying to get one for 9 years now. lol. Last night I even got her to hold him and he did the one thing I was hoping he wouldnt do....he yawned. She didnt panic, though, just said omg please take him his mouth is scary!!

[BMorrison]

Congrats on the new ball!

Welcome to a very addicting/informative website... Am I forgetting anything?

[td30]

Forgot to answer those questions. Im using Aspen subtrate. Two hides, one cold side and one hot side, and a water bowl. I have one of those Wal-Mart temp/humidity guages and a thermostat. Right now the cold side is around 79 and the hot side goes between 90 and 91. My humidity is around 46% and tonight Im going to buy a mister so I can bump that up a bit. He seems content now. He was out exploring yesterday after I bumped up the heat.

It was funny. My wife was terrified of snakes but finally relented and let me buy buy him after I took her to an exotic animal rescue. Id been trying to get one for 9 years now. lol. Last night I even got her to hold him and he did the one thing I was hoping he wouldnt do....he yawned. She didnt panic, though, just said omg please take him his mouth is scary!!

Sounds like you have things pretty well under control