...////--Ball Python Heating Issue--\\\\... - Page 3

mykee · 05-06-12, 02:41 PM

I'm not going to get into it with you, your posts have shown your experience level and I'm not here to teach you Ball Python Basics 101.
Flexwatt can be used on wood, as long as you recess a strip for it to sit up into in the bottom on the enclosure.
If you don't know the issues that can be caused from using a CHE/overhead heat, read a book. Anything written after 1992.

Lankyrob · 05-06-12, 02:42 PM

Both CHE and UTH provide belly heat, just in a different way - neither is right or wrong.

Yes - if you put a CHE in a fishtank that already has compromised humidity issues then it will dry the air more - in a sealed vivarium it will have much less effect.

I know you (Mykee) will say taht because i have to spray my vivarium then the CHE is wrong but personally i want to have my snakes in display vivaria and this is a price i am willing to pay - it has no detrimental affect on the snake as the humidity never drops below the minimum recommendation and my Royal eat, poops and sheds with no issues.

Just because we do things differently does not mean it is wrong provided that the health of the snake is not suffering.

mykee · 05-06-12, 02:53 PM

A CHE does not provide belly heat, because any keeper with a clue who keeps their ball python in a vivaria will also have a few hides. For those who have ever watched a ball python for say..ooh..three minutes, will realize that they spend 99% of their lives in their hide. So unless your ball python has learned to hover upside down in its hide, hugging the roof, that ball python has ZERO heat as long as its in its hide (which I believe I already established at around 99% of the time).
You should know better Rob, you've got 6000 posts!
Ball Python Basics 101.

Lankyrob · 05-06-12, 02:55 PM

Whilst the temp inside the hides will be slightly lower than the enclosure temp how is this any different to when the snake hides in the wild? THey get their belly heat from basking in the sun and on rocks etc taht have been heated up then slither off to hide where it will be cooler?

mykee · 05-06-12, 03:03 PM

The difference is this: When you use a CHE to heat your enclosure, you have a definite heat source say 18 inches above the floor space. If you've got a shred of intelligence as a keeper, you've got your temperature probe set on or near the ground. What happens if your ball python decides to climb (as they do) closer to the heat source? 18 inches up in the wild will have no noticeable temperature change, but in your 18" high enclosure, that's certain death. I woull rather not walk you through all the other issues with a CHE or any overhead heat source because you are clearly set on its usefullness. I adamantly disagree. CHEs and overhead heat sources are dangerous and are generally used by those who simply don't know any better because they haven't been in the hobby long enough, owned the species long enough or are just plain stubborn.
I speak from experience; the first year I owned one ball python, I kept her in a naturalistic vivarium with an overhead heat source until I did some reading, spoke with those with way more experience in the hobby and decided to do it the correct way and decided to use belly heat. I have never looked back.
Out of curiosity Rob, how many ball pythons do you own and how long have you owned them?
EDIT: answer found; one ball python, and two years today. Happy Birthday!!

USMCgunner11 · 05-06-12, 03:07 PM

I call BS. No such literature exists and you know that. I've already done my homework on this issue and know that there are no dangers of overhead heating. There are always a few things to consider when using any type of heat source...

(This info is meant for the OP)

Thermostat is always necessary. The animal must not be able to come into direct with the heat source (unless it's an RHP which doesn't get hot enough). So if using a bulb inside the tank you must have a protective cage around it. And the enclosure can't be ridiculously tall or else the heat source won't be able to reach the bottom where your BP will spend most of it's time.

Back to mykee... Just because YOUR OPINION doesn't jive with mine does not make mine "garbage" or "harmful." I have better things to do than deal with a stubborn "know it all" who imposes his own opinions as the law. I have offered MY OPINION to the OP and will not contribute to steering this thread in a different direction any more than what was already done. I've given my 2 cents and thats it.

mykee · 05-06-12, 03:12 PM

Quote:

I've already done my homework on this issue and know that there are no dangers of overhead heating""

That quote alone proved my point better than I ever could.

KORBIN5895 · 05-06-12, 03:27 PM

So mykee how do you feel about over head heating with rhp.

marvelfreak · 05-06-12, 03:32 PM

I don't know why no one has suggested using a big heat rock with a thermostat. It gives belly heat and will keep the cage temp up. duh

mykee · 05-06-12, 03:39 PM

Kevin, don't instigate.

KORBIN5895 · 05-06-12, 03:51 PM

I was serious. I am getting some for my enclosure. It will be 4'x2'x2' and it will house my boas.

mykee · 05-06-12, 03:52 PM

What's an RHP?

KORBIN5895 · 05-06-12, 03:53 PM

Radiant heat panel. Did you just seriously ask that???

mykee · 05-06-12, 03:59 PM

I know next to nothing about radiant heat panels, sorry I can't be of any assistance.
I use Flexwatt exclusively.

Suess · 05-06-12, 04:12 PM

I don't know much, seeing as I just got my snake and after reading all this I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, lol.
But I was at a reptile convention yesterday and several breeders said ball pythons were best kept in sweater boxes. The snakes feel safer in a smaller enclosure with places to hide and the plastic helps maintain humidity to ensure a healthy shed. And not being able to look through the glass makes them feel safer and less overwhelmed.
Is it okay to ask a question on someone else's thread? Regarding heating? I have a heating pad under his tank/box and I have Eco-Earth on the bottom inside. Should the probe for his thermostat be touching the mat? or just inside the enclosure?