Ground temp VS ambient temps.

[beaglegod]

I just set up my first enclosure (hope to get a BP in a couple of weeks) its a rubbermaid tote 34 long 13 wide 12 high. Ive got two human heating pads duct taped to the underside one on high the other on medeum. Now the ground temps read 95 warm side 80 cool side but the ambient temp reads about 75.Mind you ive had them running for bout an hour, does it take longer than that to raise the ambient temps? What else do you recommend for heating if anything?

Thanx!

[mykee]

Let it run set up for a day or so, that way you'll have a more accurate reading. The amb. temp. should come up. Let us know.

[beaglegod]

Thanx Mykee.

[Big Mike]

How big are the heat pads compared to the floor space of the enclosure? You really only need to heat about 1/3 of the enclosure. You could probably get away with just one heat pad.

I'd say the most important thing to measure is the hottest temp that the snake could come into contact with. That would probably be the floor of the enclosure right over the heat pad. 95 sounds a little high to me.

[mykee]

I myself have a hot spot of 95, and all is well with my enclosures. I would not go over 95 though.

[tHeGiNo]

I agree 95 might be a bit too hot! It is not crucial, but you might want to get that basking spot closer to 90 F. I respect the fact that you are preparing prior to purchasing the animal! You do not see that much too often.

EDIT
I forgot to mention, human heat pads are great as a heating source. The only other heating souce I would recommend are reptile heat pads, heat tape, things of the like. There is nothing wrong with what your using, though. Also, make sure to make sure you have your humidity set before your purchase!

[sapphire_moon]

ball pythons need a hot spot of 90-95F degrees.

[Jeff_Favelle]

TWO heat pads only get the cage to 80 and 95F?? You must be keeping that Rubbermaid either outside, in a freezing cold room, or those heat pads must be tiny. I can heat two adult Rubbermaids for Ball Pythons with ONE heat pad on medium. Never use those things on high. I wouldn't trust them.

[mykee]

I say poe-tayyy-toe, you say poe-tahhh-toe. I've had great success using a hot spot of 95, as have the Sutherlands (not that I'm trying to make a connection). As long as you're running a hot spot over 90, you'll be ok.

[beaglegod]

Got the temps all straightened out I was reading air temp right next to my vent (doh!!) as soon as I moved the thermometer over a bit voila! 79.3 ambient temp (gets even warmer if a I keep the door shut.

I did something alittle bit different to achieve a thermal gradient, lemme know how ya feel about this setup.

Basicaly on the far left of the enclosure is one heating pad set on medeum, right next to that is another heating pad (in the center)
wich is set to low, on the right side of the enclosure is nothing. With this configuration my ground temps are as follows:

Left side(hot spot)--92.8

Center---- 85

Right side--- 81

So whata ya think? Now to work on humidity.

[mykee]

Sounds good, but there's no need for the center heat pad, one on each end if fine, and if your room is warm enough, you don't even really need the one on the cool side. Humidity can be achieved by putting a smaller water dish on the warm side of the tank, this will heat up the water ever so little and produce the humidity required (60%). Good luck.

[tHeGiNo]

Humidity can be achieved by putting a smaller water dish on the warm side of the tank, this will heat up the water ever so little and produce the humidity required (60%). Good luck.

Or by providing humid hides! You might also want to raise the humidity higher then 60.