Ambient temps ?

mattchibi · 10-04-11, 09:42 AM

hey guys
Im having a little trouble keeping up the ambient temps in my BP's tank.

right now the temps have been pretty consistent at:
92-93 F on the undertank heater
80 F on warm side temp at ground level
78 F on cooler side at ground level

Winter is coming where I live, so temps are dropping rapidly. I used to get 92 F on hot spot, 85 F on warm side and 80 F on cooler side no problem (a week ago).

Right now, I have a UTH setup under a hide (hot spot), and an infrared heat lamp above sort of in the middle to control ambient temps. I have this lamp on a dimmer, and Ive only been putting it to about 1/2 of its full brightness. I am afraid that if I crank it all the way up, it will cause the hot spot (where my snake chills all day) to be too hot.

Any suggestions as to how I can achieve warmer temperatures on both the cooler and warmer sides ? Currently I have a space heater in my room, but it doesnt work too efficiently and it only boosts the warm side to 80..

mykee · 10-04-11, 09:53 AM

Your ambient air temps can be maintained by keeeping the room your ball python in at a staedady temperature. An oil filled heater works best from the breeders I've spoken to.
I might also suggest that a "ground level" temp of 80 on your warm side is about 15 degrees too cold. You're asking for a respiratory infection. Ditch the loose bedding you're using and go with something that may not look as pretty for you, but work better for your ball python like paper towel or newspaper.

BTW, that was Post #5000, only took me nine years here to reach that goal!!

Lankyrob · 10-04-11, 09:55 AM

There is only a 2f difference between the hot and cold side also, this doesnt give the snake a chance to thermoregulate. The ground temp should be 91f on the hot side and 75-78 on the cold.

mattchibi · 10-04-11, 10:03 AM

Okay I am going to try and crank the heat lamp all the way and leave it on the warm side. I have also dropped the temps down on the UTH a little on my herpstat.

I'll update in 30-60 min and see how the temps are going.

Lankyrob · 10-04-11, 10:04 AM

It needs a good couple of hours with no disturbance before you check the temps again, everytime you open the tank the heat is gonna change pretty quick.

alessia55 · 10-04-11, 10:05 AM

I get pretty cold myself during the winter, so I get a space heater. It also helps keep the temps for my snakes up

mattchibi · 10-04-11, 10:22 AM

So I cranked the infrared bulb all the way on the dimmer (it is a 50W) and turned the UTH down on the herpstat to about 91. The new temps I am getting are:

91.9 F above the UTH under the substrate
89.6 F on the warmer side ground level outside the hide
78.7 F on the cooler side ground level

They have been consistent for only 20 min tho so far, we'll see how it goes.

Are these better temps now ? At night, my temps seem to drop too, I will have to do an update later on tonight..

SnakeyJay · 10-04-11, 10:56 AM

Id pop your heat light on its own dimmer thermostat aswell. Im going to guess your using a glass viv? If you are, you may just have to keep the room heated. Hope u get it sorted tho, goodluck

Lankyrob · 10-04-11, 05:22 PM

Certainly better than it was, hope you get it to stick at the right levels

**millertime89** · 10-04-11, 07:47 PM

<---this guy has your thermostat solution. Or you can find the thread I made and try it yourself. My temps are rock solid.

Ch^4 · 10-05-11, 12:07 AM

As Mykee suggested, oil filled heaters work wonders for maintaining steady temperatures. IF I ran mine 24/7 at full blast (1500W), it would cost about $45 per month. Not too shabby. I only run the oil heater at night during fall/winter and it is regulated by a thermostat.

Congrats on 5K Mykee!

mattchibi · 10-05-11, 01:20 PM

Okay
So I am still retaining the same temps

92 F above UTH
85 F on warm side
77-78 F on cooler side

However, now my humidity is dropping rapidly. It was at 60% before I started using the infrared lamp at full blast, and now its already at 45%. Will probably drop to 40% if I leave it on until tonight.

I have tried misting, but that only helps so much. I am going to take my snake out right now, take the hides and the water dish out, and mix all my plantation soil around and then mist it again. Hopefully this helps retain the moisture. Any suggestions are welcome as well. Thx!

Kiljosh · 10-05-11, 05:51 PM

When my snake is in shed(like right now) I find it easier to maintain humidity on my screen top glass tank by using hand towels soaked in warm water. I put one on his cool side on top of his hide and another on the warm side also on top of his hide(its a tree, kinda hanging in the limbs of it).

This easily lifts my humidity from the constant 50% its normally at to up around 60%. I can hit 70% with a solid misting and covering most of the top with a towel.

However, it does seem to cool the tank some. So my lights are on more often and longer. Honestly though, if you want to just try misting the crap out of the tank and putting just the towels on top to keep most of it in, it should work.