Need help tweaking heat for Ball

[Sylorna]

So how do I increase the ambient temp without a lamp if the substrate is already too hot and I'm having to decrease the temp on that? The hot end is too hot and the cold end is too cold as it stands. What is the issue with putting a red 40watt bulb over the tank to increase the temp 5-10 degrees?

I'll order the hydrofarm to arrive in a week and a half and am going to adjust the cord in the mean time.

As mentioned, I have covered the lid a week ago.

I understand that people do not appreciate glass tanks, and I get it, however, I am trying to make due with what I have and what is available to me. In the future, when we have a house, perhaps I will take the time to create a build on a wooden unit, however I cannot do that until we have a house.

[Mikoh4792]

Originally Posted by Sylorna

So how do I increase the ambient temp without a lamp if the substrate is already too hot and I'm having to decrease the temp on that? The hot end is too hot and the cold end is too cold as it stands. What is the issue with putting a red 40watt bulb over the tank to increase the temp 5-10 degrees?

I'll order the hydrofarm to arrive in a week and a half and am going to adjust the cord in the mean time.

As mentioned, I have covered the lid a week ago.

I understand that people do not appreciate glass tanks, and I get it, however, I am trying to make due with what I have and what is available to me. In the future, when we have a house, perhaps I will take the time to create a build on a wooden unit, however I cannot do that until we have a house.

Can you post pics of your setup?

Lamps are fine for heating, they just tend to dry out the air very quickly. And even if your enclosure is humid, the area right beneath the lamp still gets dried out quicker.

Some people make it work, but many people can't.

As mentioned before, radiant heat panels are the way to go.

[Toggsy]

TBH I think the problem maybe the tank itself more so it's the fact that's its glass.
Glass tanks are notoriously bad for keeping heat and ambient temps so personally I would go for decent wooden viv you'll find the all round temps will be more stable and easier to control, you won't get problems with loss of heat and ambient temp will be more stable.
I've experienced similar problems with corn I was keeping in a glass tank so switched over to wooden viv after lots advice from others since then I've not had any issues with ambient or heat loss.

[Mikoh4792]

Originally Posted by Toggsy

TBH I think the problem maybe the tank itself more so it's the fact that's its glass.
Glass tanks are notoriously bad for keeping heat and ambient temps so personally I would go for decent wooden viv you'll find the all round temps will be more stable and easier to control, you won't get problems with loss of heat and ambient temp will be more stable.
I've experienced similar problems with corn I was keeping in a glass tank so switched over to wooden viv after lots advice from others since then I've not had any issues with ambient or heat loss.

this, or if you don't have the time to build a wooden viv now, i'd buy a plastic enclosure from animal plastics, constrictors north west, pvc cages...etc. They are also good at insulating heat and humidity.

[Toggsy]

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

this, or if you don't have the time to build a wooden viv now, i'd buy a plastic enclosure from animal plastics, constrictors north west, pvc cages...etc. They are also good at insulating heat and humidity.

I'm not a big fan of plastic cages and rubs but in some cases they do have their uses.
I'm from the Uk are the vivexotics range vivs available across the pond ?
There not bad vivs TBH, easy to put to together so even someone with DIY experience can make one up, plus prices are also reasonable cheap.

[Terranaut]

Originally Posted by Sylorna

So how do I increase the ambient temp without a lamp if the substrate is already too hot and I'm having to decrease the temp on that? The hot end is too hot and the cold end is too cold as it stands. What is the issue with putting a red 40watt bulb over the tank to increase the temp 5-10 degrees?

I'll order the hydrofarm to arrive in a week and a half and am going to adjust the cord in the mean time.

As mentioned, I have covered the lid a week ago.

I understand that people do not appreciate glass tanks, and I get it, however, I am trying to make due with what I have and what is available to me. In the future, when we have a house, perhaps I will take the time to create a build on a wooden unit, however I cannot do that until we have a house.

Glass tanks are fine for many species...just takes a lot of work to make it good for a ball python. Pics would be good. What is the ambient temp of the room the enclosure is in? What ate you using to measure temps? Have no fear we are here to help make it right. What substrate do you use? Where abouts in Onyario are you? Maybe if we know what city we can tell you were to shop. Just incase your not aware a nice tub will only cost you about $20 and other that viewing itbis 100% better for a ball. Keep the glass for a king or corn or something. Just my opinion but it would save you so many headaches.

[Sylorna]

Ok, so I'll get some pics up in a bit...after I make some needed changes.
We are going to:
1. move the tank to a quieter place in the room
2.reduce the substrate (currently about 2 inches thick, but I read it should be about half that)
3. Attach a heating pad to the back of the tank to provide some extra ambient heat.
4. Add a couple extra layers of tinfoil to the top, as apparently it helps to have it a bit thicker.

The issue is that I just bought this tank (albeit 2nd hand) in part because we could never see our snake, and therefore were not enjoying him. Previous to this I was actually considering adopting him out as a result of it. A plastic tub would be unsightly, and I would be back to not enjoying my pet.

The second part of the issue is that we live in an apartment, and therefore do not have access to things like outdoor spaces, ventilation, or tools which we would need to build the wood housing you are suggesting.

I am currently awaiting a response from someone regarding price on a PVC tank, although I think they're pretty unattractive as well. Like everyone here I am also on a tight budget...which makes things less easy.

Terranut, I live in Brampton, and typically shop for reptile stuff in Toronto. Ambient temp in the room is around 75F. I use a laser thermometer; and the substrate is aspen.

I really wish that the wooden option was more common in Canada, so I could purchase one on Kijiji, and sell off the glass one for around the same cost.

Soo if we can get the temps more regulated for now, I might be able to talk my brother in law into making something for us this summer or pick up a PVC tank on sale. Looks like it might be a couple hundred dollars in supplies to make one though? Am I imagining things?

Thank you all for your concern. We live, we learn, we grow, right?

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by Sylorna

Ok, so I'll get some pics up in a bit...after I make some needed changes.
We are going to:
1. move the tank to a quieter place in the room
2.reduce the substrate (currently about 2 inches thick, but I read it should be about half that)
3. Attach a heating pad to the back of the tank to provide some extra ambient heat.
4. Add a couple extra layers of tinfoil to the top, as apparently it helps to have it a bit thicker.

The issue is that I just bought this tank (albeit 2nd hand) in part because we could never see our snake, and therefore were not enjoying him. Previous to this I was actually considering adopting him out as a result of it. A plastic tub would be unsightly, and I would be back to not enjoying my pet.

The second part of the issue is that we live in an apartment, and therefore do not have access to things like outdoor spaces, ventilation, or tools which we would need to build the wood housing you are suggesting.

I am currently awaiting a response from someone regarding price on a PVC tank, although I think they're pretty unattractive as well. Like everyone here I am also on a tight budget...which makes things less easy.

Terranut, I live in Brampton, and typically shop for reptile stuff in Toronto. Ambient temp in the room is around 75F. I use a laser thermometer; and the substrate is aspen.

I really wish that the wooden option was more common in Canada, so I could purchase one on Kijiji, and sell off the glass one for around the same cost.

Soo if we can get the temps more regulated for now, I might be able to talk my brother in law into making something for us this summer or pick up a PVC tank on sale. Looks like it might be a couple hundred dollars in supplies to make one though? Am I imagining things?

Thank you all for your concern. We live, we learn, we grow, right?

With honest sincerity maybe you've picked a bad species.

You go on about how you want to see your pet and how you pick housing for it based on your need to see it and necessarily the animals needs first.

Ball pythons are NOT the best display animal. They do not come out often and when they do it is usually at night.
They prefer to be secluded. It is something built into their instinctual brain (they live in rodent burrows/abandoned termite mounds in the wild).

Maybe you should re-consider adopting your ball python out to someone else and going with a more active snake that doesn't quite have the same humidity requirements you can accommodate.
A corn snake or king snake would do just fine in the enclosure you currently have. They don't require high humdity or heat. Both come in variety of colours. Eat well. Handle well. Affordable and will meet your activity requirement in your pet.

It's just a silly notion to make the animal bend to our needs in a pet instead of finding the pet that simply fits our needs.

[LarryS]

The bad rep glass tanks get really is not deserved IMO.

I think the reason they do have the bad reputation amongst keepers has more to do with the design itself than the material they are made out of. The insulating difference between glass and plywood is minuscule if in fact there is one at all. If memory serves, I believe 1/4" glass actually has a higher R value than 1/2" plywood. That surprises most people.

There are other factors involving the materials themselves that may cause difficulties of some form or another, but if properly configured a glass tank can perform as well as one made of plywood.

I just don't understand why more people don't lay their glass tanks on the side and install a door of some sort over the now front opening. It is as inexpensive of a DIY cage as they come.

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by LarryS

The bad rep glass tanks get really is not deserved IMO.

I think the reason they do have the bad reputation amongst keepers has more to do with the design itself than the material they are made out of. The insulating difference between glass and plywood is minuscule if in fact there is one at all. If memory serves, I believe 1/4" glass actually has a higher R value than 1/2" plywood. That surprises most people.

There are other factors involving the materials themselves that may cause difficulties of some form or another, but if properly configured a glass tank can perform as well as one made of plywood.

I just don't understand why more people don't lay their glass tanks on the side and install a door of some sort over the now front opening. It is as inexpensive of a DIY cage as they come.

Side note, you would be correct.

Someone on here posted I believe the "r" ratings for materials and I believe glass was the best if not one of the best regarding how well it insulates.

That was some time ago though and don't remember where he got the info from.

Tanks are poor choices for a number of species but on different merits though.

[Terranaut]

So how are you measuring ambient temps in the viv? Here is my suggestion. First if your heat cord is inside the viv you need to remove it and place it under the viv. I know a guy in Brampton who sells wired heat tape. He can hook you up with enough to heat 1/3 of your viv. With the hydrafarm your heatbissues are solved and the tape will cost the same as a heat matt. Then get a a different substrate. Aspen is fine unless your setup can rob humidity. Use a reptibark or cypress or bio active setup. Get a cheap small led light to light the tank with at a dollar store. Using lights to heat causes convection which is why these tanks can be bad. But eliminate a hot light at the top and you reduce that too. You can buy white Styrofoam style insulation at Home depot or Rona. Put it on the top. Any little air crack is enough. If it is unsightly you can wrap it with black fabric for next to nothing. All of this is very cheap, uses what you have and will be 100% better than now. Seeing as you are just up the 401 I assume your home is sitting at 20ish% humidity like mine. I control my snake room to 50-60% . If yours is low your ball will have shed issues.

[Sylorna]

Thanks Terranaut
I am embarrassed to say that my cord was inside, but I took it out after realizing it shouldn't be today. We put it under the tank, not attaching it and raising the corners of the tank so it will lessen the heat. We agreed that the cord does not have an even temperature and gets really hot (can't wait for that thermostat to arrive). Will be replacing it (with tape?) in a paycheck or so.

The thermometer has a reading of ambient temps when it is on standby, so that's what I've been using.

Our humidity sits at 40ish because I have a humidifyer that runs all winter long...I just can't stand the static and dry skin during the winter. I have placed the water bowl over the warm end, and I think the reptibark will probably do a nice job of adjusting the rest. I had forgotten about that stuff, used to use it for some african land snails I had and it was really good stuff.

[Sylorna]

The hydrafarm arrived today (1 week early) while I was at work. Will be picking it up from the depot on my way home tomorrow.
Is it better to put it directly on the heat source or in the hot spot? Does it matter? At what temp should I worry about him moving the substrate and touching the glass? Ie: Burns? He buried himself last Sunday in the cold hide, but this was before I moved him to the more secluded spot. Hasn't done it since, but it still makes me uneasy. Thankfully it was on the cold side.

The heat mat on the back (an older one...I have an anti sticking policy with my pads) is working really well to bring up the ambient temp. Glad I remembered I had it.

I think we talked too much about humidity this weekend. My humidifier decided to go on the fritz yesterday suddenly. I think I just need to pick up a new filter this weekend, but still, it has some great timing!

[Sylorna]

I realized I could do a search and did so...it's on the cord and currently set to 95...I'll check the temps in a bit once it starts to regulate a bit more.
Thanks again!