Ceramic bulb help

[Mushroom Spore]

My ball python's UTH always struggles with tank temps in the winter, try as I might, so this year I'm getting him an overhead ceramic bulb for Christmas. That way he'll still have warmth if he decides to burrow in the aspen, but the AIR will actually stay decently warm too.

Now, I have no experience with wattage and heating tanks. Petco.com is having an online sale, so here's my current options:

ZooMed ceramic bulbs in 60, 100, and 150 watts (claims to last up to five years)

ESU in 60 and 100 watts (claims up to 12,000 hours)

I need the "basking area" to be hitting about 90. I'm guessing it'll be the 60 or 100 I should be looking at (maybe the 60), but I'm not sure which. Also, if anyone knows what I should be doing for a light fixture and how to attach the thing to my tank, it'd be much appreciated.

 

[sick4x4]

i would go with the 100 wt

 

[Mushroom Spore]

I'll also note that it's a 20-gallon tank, if that makes a difference.

Does anyone have experience with the following fixtures?
Flukers: http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.a...eramic+bulb&sku=796115&familyID=9469&#details

ZooMed:
http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.a...epti+lamp&N=30+5468&sku=167614&familyID=5009&

I'm really concerned about the clamps. I can't see them very well--how well will those attach to this, which is what I have? http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.a...creen+lid&N=30+5062&sku=696072&familyID=4357&

 

[jwmeeker]

Since you already have UTH I'd guess that the 60W would be adequate, but it depends on what the ambient temp is getting up to right now. Ideally you want the cold side to be 82-84F and the high side to be 92-94F. Unfortunately the best way is just to buy both the 60W and 100W bulbs, try them both and take back the unused one.

As far as the fixtures go, since you have a screen top you won't be able to clamp it to the cage in any way. You'll probably have to find an object that you can clamp the fixture to or hang it from a ceiling, shelf, etc. This will prevent the snake from getting burned if he chooses to explore the upper realms of his cage.

What kind of UTH are you using? I've never had a problem heating a cage adequately using flexwatt hooked up to a thermostat. It might be easier to invest in a different type of UTH source.

 

[Blasphemy]

If you are still going to use the UTH then a 60 watt should do the trick. If you're going to scrap the UTH, then 100 watt will probably be your best bet. If it gets too hot you'll have to find a way to raise the fixture above the cage (petco also sells these http://www.petco.com/Shop/petco_Product_R_248_PC_productlist_Nav_259_N_27+113_cp_2_Nao_12_sku_481378_familyID_5011.aspx if you can't find something to clamp it to). Also, I would probably use the Fluker's clamp lamp because it will focus the heat better than the Zoo Med one that isn't enclosed on the sides. I've been using the Fluker's ones for years with no problems.

Also, if I were you I'd just scrap that UTH and get the 100 watt ceramic because when it comes to providing a lot of heat ceramic emitters are one of the best ways of doing it. UTH I've found raise the ambient temp like 2-3 degrees F if you're lucky. I've gone through the same headache as you in the winter using an UTH, and it took me a while to realize they're pretty much junk if you have a high temp loving animal. Good luck.

 

[ErikH]

I would suggest buying a clamp fixture for the ceramic heater, and also, buy a dimmer at Home Depot or a similar store. They look like an extension cord with a sliding switch in the middle. Buy the 100W heater too. You can use the dimmer to adjust the heat output until you get the warm side of your enclosure up to the desired temp--between 90 and 95F for a Ball Python.

I will warn you though, ceramic heaters, just like IR bulbs, suck the humidity right out of a cage. It will go down to 35% almost overnight. You will probably need to cover most of the screen on your tank and rig up a humidifier. You may be able to curb some of the humidity loss by locating the ceramic heater over the water dish, but I doubt it will be enough.