Need help with ball python setup please

[casualphoenix]

Here's the image of my current cage setup:
http://i.imgur.com/6Gu7OgK.png

That's my current tank setup. I know ball pythons love hiding and the temperature being just right, so I'm a little worried at the moment. Here are some questions that I would love to have answered, if possible:

I know he loves his hiding spot, but should I get another for the cool side?

Is the temperature fine for the hot and cool sides? (Keep in mind it showed 84 underneath the little hideaway.) Should I turn the heat pad on? Should I move the heat pad below and turn it on? Are the bulbs okay?

Should I get a humidity hut, or since the humidity is constantly 60-64 percent, is that okay? (Fun note: I don't have to spray the cage, our house is literally that humid.)

Thanks so much for the info! I love having my new buddy and want to make sure he's well taken care of.

[alessia55]

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[pdomensis]

I would give him a cool hide to give him some options for regulating temps and still feeling secure. More royal people will chime in with other advice.

[thinkbig317]

^^agree on cool hide^^ Would also bump the temps on the cool side a little as well (75-80 F). I would also utilize the UTH. Put it on the bottom of the tank on the hot side and control it with a thermostat. How are you measuring temps/humidy (type)?

[casualphoenix]

Thanks for the replies! Here's an updated view of the tank:

http://i.imgur.com/99EsSTZ.png

One thing that's changed is I did move the UTH under his hide on the warm side.

In answer to the question about measuring temps and humidity, I have a combo thermometer/hygrometer on the cool side, and a thermometer on the warm side (cf. picture).

[SnoopySnake]

From the looks of it you're using analog thermometers-I would ditch those for a digital thermometer/hygrometer & buy a thermostat to use with the heat mat, also I would throw a few more hides throughout the hot and cool ends.

[thinkbig317]

^^^this^^^ which is why I asked. Also, make sure to control the UTH with a thermostat. They can get wicked hot!

[Terranaut]

Is this a screen top tank?

[Terranaut]

Well I sure hope you return. Your setup is (not being mean here just honest) flawed. Look up screen top vivs on this site. There are 100 reasons not to use one and low cost is the only reason people do. You will dry oit your snake and cause health issue. You create convection airflow using lights and a screen top. My advice is to look I to a tub setup and scrap the lights or look into getting a colubrid for that setup.
Flaws
Screen top
Heat pad not on the bottom
Use of lights to heat
No cool side hide
No thermostat
Poor quality thermometer/hygrometer
Did I mention screen top?
Not trying to bash but if you took the time to draw it all out I assume you want what is best for your snake and the drawing you posted will be a poor environment for a ball python. Sorry.

[mmarchl23]

I've got my ball set up with 3 hides and a bunch of fake plants for cover. As many have said the screen top is not efficient, get some plexi and cover about 80% of that bad boy. And again grab a stat and uth. My balls tank is about 80 gallons, custom built and stays to temps using just a uth.

[casualphoenix]

Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate the information. As an update, the UTH is under the tank now, on the warm side.

Unfortunately, the cold side is pretty cold, I need to up the temperature on that end. Any suggestions?

Regarding the screen and the lights, I definitely understand the science of it and where you're coming from, but keep in mind the whole idea behind it is that it will lower the humidity. Our house is currently super humid. For serious. We have trouble with our towels drying completely. So I'll definitely keep that in mind, and the fact that multiple people have mentioned it makes the information stick out more in my mind, but I consider that a lower priority considering how jacked up our house is. (We had to get rid of a bath mat because of it.)

Once I can afford it I'll work on getting a better and more controlled temperature setup. Especially a thermostat for the UTH. Although, I have tested the area where the snake lays under the hide on the warm side and it's only ~2-4 degrees warmer with the UTH.