New Setup, Need Lighting / Heat Input / Info

[Bite_Me]

Hi All,
So let me start by saying that I have a 1 year old ball python, who this is all about. I figure it would come in handy to know the species. I recently moved her from a 30gal tank to a 90 gal tank (48x18x24). Before, I had the hot side at about 90-92 and the cold side about 75-78. All was well. Naturally, as we went to a bigger tank the hot side is about 83-85 and the cold side is 75. I figure that the length of the tank and depth is not allowing the tank to heat up as efficiently. I put a blanket overtop of the mesh screen to trap some of the hot air in (left air space on left and right side for ventilation).

In my current setup, I have 2 lights (red bulbs for night 75watt) on the hot side and no lights anywhere else. I also have an undertank pad heater and am using the zilla carpet as bedding. It is warm to the touch under it.

I wanted some lighting to see her better, my question is, can I use regular aquarium lights that i can find for cheap on amazon or do i have to use reptile specific lighting strips (when i say light i mean the actual light ballast, not the strip bulbs). Also, should i be using conventional strip bulbs to add heat or maybe an led or "moon light" for esthetics?

Please help, any info would be useful. I'm thinking to go with the strip bulb to add a little heat and light at the same time and keep the 2 heat domes on the hot side along with a 30" strip light which will be somewhere in the middle.

any thoughts? suggestions? questions?

[Loucifer]

Balls like smaller places, I would be concerned if he/she will feel more "vulnerable" in a 90 gal. A yearling is still pretty young, more sensitive to space/security. I, imo, would use the 30 gal. Just my couple pennies.
Balls have no lighting requirements. The ambient light from the room itself works for me. I almost got some of those cheap aquarium lights, myself. A lot of people use them, I guess. I use a 75 watt IR bulb on a dimmer for heat boosting. Good luck!

[Aaron_S]

You need to change your heating elements instead of being OKAY with your lower temperatures.

To start I wouldn't use a tank. Too much is loss from the open top. I'd invest in a boaphile or similar enclosure. You're going to have this snake for 20 years, might as well buy it!

If that isn't your choice then...I'd up the size of the heatmat or go with a radiant heat panel. I'd also get some sort of thermostat for it to regulate the temperatures better. Hydrofarm has some cheap ones I believe.

I'd remove the carpet from the enclosure. It doesn't hold any humidity really well without becoming a sess pool of bacteria. I'd go with a mulch in a tank. How do you measure your humidity by the way?

For additional lighting, any florescent bulbs will do. They are nocturnal and don't require any additional lighting so it's only to your benefit.

Since it's a larger enclosure and ball pythons are finicky creatures and I'd like to avoid you posting "Help! My snake won't eat now" I'd recommend some more hiding places. Tight fitting. Snakes don't need spacious housing. They only have one mouth to protect that entire body, they like to have as much of it covered by it's surroundings as possible.

[jarich]

I agree with Aaron (sigh). Hate it when that happens! ;)

Except for the need for a boaphile. You absolutely do need to get rid of that screen top though. You are losing all your heat and humidity out of the top and its going to lead to your snake having problems. Cut a couple pieces of plywood to fit the top and either mount your lights to the inside of that lid or get a radiant heat panel. You can easily mount a cheap tube light to the underside as well if you want more light. As Aaron said, its just for your benefit so it doesnt matter what kind it is.

For that large of an enclosure, you will really need a lot of cover though. While I think its commendable that you want to give it a nice big enclosure, you have to make sure it has enough cover to feel safe and secure using it. Live plants are great as they both provide cover and humidity, but you can also use fake ones if you dont have much of a green thumb.

[SnakeyJay]

Just wanted to say that if you do put extra lighting in there, don't leave it on 24/7 as permanent "daylight" will stress your Royal