What size heat mat should I buy?

[craigafrechette]

Originally Posted by Chaichai

Yes, I know that all of my snakes have a hot spot and a cool spot with a hide on each. I just wanted to know what size would be good for my tank since I can’t find larger sizes online. I have a CHE with higher wattage but I don’t want to use it because I want to provide my ball python with belly heat. If the UTH isn’t enough heat I will use both.

What I'm trying to tell you is that the heat mat WON'T be enough.
You only want to set your heat mat to achieve an 88-89° hot spot to aid in digestion.
In order to create enough heat to get the ambient temps above 82 your hot spot would have to be jacked way up. They're not designed to raise ambient temps.

And it's very important to measure the actual surface of the hot spot. Snakes burrow, push substrate aside,etc...

In order to get the proper ambient temps you'll need to use both. The heat mat for the hot spot and the CHE for the ambient temps. Both regulated by a thermostat.

[Chaichai]

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

What I'm trying to tell you is that the heat mat WON'T be enough.
You only want to set your heat mat to achieve an 88-89° hot spot to aid in digestion.
In order to create enough heat to get the ambient temps above 82 your hot spot would have to be jacked way up. They're not designed to raise ambient temps.

And it's very important to measure the actual surface of the hot spot. Snakes burrow, push substrate aside,etc...

In order to get the proper ambient temps you'll need to use both. The heat mat for the hot spot and the CHE for the ambient temps. Both regulated by a thermostat.

Gotcha, I thought you meant something else.