Getting back into Ball Python keeping

[Venari]

Decided to get back into getting a BP. Probably will get back to T's also. I managed to get a PVC enclosure on sale, and have it built. I notice it has a screen top.

This brings me to 2 questions: How do you keep the humidity from escaping out the screen top, and how should I heat the tank?


It's my first time with PVC and a warning label in the box says it's flammable. The bottom looks corrugated, so I don't know if a UTH pad would heat through it and the substrate to keep the zone warm? Even with a thermostat would the heating pad be on long enough to damage the desk it's sitting on by the time the substrate got warm? Would a heat lamp be better without somehow melting the nearby PVC walls/ceiling?

 

[Tentacle Toast]

Well heat from above is generally better than heat from below, so a couple decent UVB heat lamps on that screen top, with an elevated branch directly underneath one for a basking spot would work well. As far as humidity, if you provide a large enough water source for it to soak in, it absolutely will when it needs to, & evaporation when it isn't should keep the humidity sufficient even with the screen top.
I haven't kept reptiles in a while, & was at a shop the other day...was SHOCKED at how cheap they are now, even for the "phases." I remember when piebalds we're going for $25k a piece...they're not even $500 now. "Pastels" for ~$300, & patterns I've never even heard of for less than that...all gorgeous, young, healthy snakes. Whereas your budget might have limited you before, it certainly isn't now. I'd say you'll need more luck deciding what you want over maintaining adequate humidity, LoL

 

[Gilligan]

I hang a heat lamp above the screen mesh for my BP. I find they work better, it's all about finding the right height between the two. Screen is fine for humidity, just give them a big bowl. They need airflow so dont block it off. I would avoid heat mats as the previous owner of my BP gave him massive burns on his stomach from the heat mat.

 

[Dry Desert]

Decided to get back into getting a BP. Probably will get back to T's also. I managed to get a PVC enclosure on sale, and have it built. I notice it has a screen top.

This brings me to 2 questions: How do you keep the humidity from escaping out the screen top, and how should I heat the tank?


It's my first time with PVC and a warning label in the box says it's flammable. The bottom looks corrugated, so I don't know if a UTH pad would heat through it and the substrate to keep the zone warm? Even with a thermostat would the heating pad be on long enough to damage the desk it's sitting on by the time the substrate got warm? Would a heat lamp be better without somehow melting the nearby PVC walls/ceiling?

As the saying goes,

A picture is worth a thousand words.
If you could post a couple of good photos we can go from there.

 

[viper69]

Well heat from above is generally better than heat from below

how so? Snakes get heat from below on surfaces they bask in. I used to use clamp lamps, and switched to UTH- smooth sailing.

Ive used UTHs on 3 snakes for eons, and one should always use a proportional thermostat

@Venari head over to ballpythons.net

 

[Tentacle Toast]

how so? Snakes get heat from below on surfaces they bask in. I used to use clamp lamps, and switched to UTH- smooth sailing.

Ive used UTHs on 3 snakes for eons, and one should always use a proportional thermostat

@Venari head over to ballpythons.net

Well, the sun radiantly heats surfaces used for basking in the wild, & in my opinion, is just as easily replicated in captivity. the animal(s) are warmed as they would be in the wild, & adjusting the distance from a bulb is usually just as easy as setting a thermostat, but without needing to buy a thermostat.

 

[Dry Desert]

I hang a heat lamp above the screen mesh for my BP. I find they work better, it's all about finding the right height between the two. Screen is fine for humidity, just give them a big bowl. They need airflow so dont block it off. I would avoid heat mats as the previous owner of my BP gave him massive burns on his stomach from the heat mat.

This old chestnut about heat mats!!

There is nothing wrong with using heat mats, they are used all the time in Europe, it's just that people outside of Europe seem adverse to using quality thermostats to control heat mats.

I know of a professional ROYAL PYTHON breeder in the UK that has changed all his python vivs from ceramic to heat mats, due to energy costs, 18 + months ago, and the snakes seem to be better off, they certainly shed better apparently.

 

[Dry Desert]

Well, the sun radiantly heats surfaces used for basking in the wild, & in my opinion, is just as easily replicated in captivity. the animal(s) are warmed as they would be in the wild, & adjusting the distance from a bulb is usually just as easy as setting a thermostat, but without needing to buy a thermostat.

So adjusting the hight of the bulb does away with a stat.

So when the ambient is around 40 degrees C on a really hot day, the snake cooks.

Nice one !!

 

[Tentacle Toast]

So adjusting the hight of the bulb does away with a stat.

So when the ambient is around 40 degrees C on a really hot day, the snake cooks.

Nice one !!

In countries that use the Standard system of measurement, people have common sense, & lights have off switches.

Also, most Americans have climate control. I didn't check if the OP was American, I just assumed as much (American board, & all). I didn't take into account that the guy's domicile might be cooled/heated mostly by the conditions outside.

 

[Dry Desert]

So adjusting the hight of the bulb does away with a stat.

So when the ambient is around 40 degrees C on a really hot day, the snake cooks.

Nice one !!

Glad you think so.

 

[Tentacle Toast]

Glad you think so.

Fighting the demons from within, are we?

 

[Dry Desert]

In countries that use the Standard system of measurement, people have common sense, & lights have off switches.

Also, most Americans have climate control. I didn't check if the OP was American, I just assumed as much (American board, & all). I didn't take into account that the guy's domicile might be cooled/heated mostly by the conditions outside.

The Centigrade measurement is the Universal Decimal measurement as it's from 0 to 100 .

Simple really - even for you.

 

[Tentacle Toast]

The Centigrade measurement is the Universal Decimal measurement as it's from 0 to 100 .

Simple really - even for you.

You win, rely on stuff you buy more than your brain. This battle of wits is over.LoL

 

[viper69]

This old chestnut about heat mats!!

There is nothing wrong with using heat mats, they are used all the time in Europe, it's just that people outside of Europe seem adverse to using quality thermostats to control heat mats.

I know of a professional ROYAL PYTHON breeder in the UK that has changed all his python vivs from ceramic to heat mats, due to energy costs, 18 + months ago, and the snakes seem to be better off, they certainly shed better apparently.

More people than you think use heat mats across the pond. The USA has been using them for many decades.

 

[viper69]

Well, the sun radiantly heats surfaces used for basking in the wild, & in my opinion, is just as easily replicated in captivity. the animal(s) are warmed as they would be in the wild, & adjusting the distance from a bulb is usually just as easy as setting a thermostat, but without needing to buy a thermostat.

true too

never found adjusting bulbs worth the time once I switched to UTHs

 

[Tentacle Toast]

true too

never found adjusting bulbs worth the time once I switched to UTHs

You keep lots of stuff though, yes? This guy sounds like he just wants a pet. Besides being (personally) reluctant to slow-cook PVC with an under tank number, I think setting up a single basking spot would be easier (& possibly more aesthetically pleasing) with a single animal on display...
Either would work, but I can dig his reluctance with the PVC...

 

[viper69]

You keep lots of stuff though, yes? This guy sounds like he just wants a pet. Besides being (personally) reluctant to slow-cook PVC with an under tank number, I think setting up a single basking spot would be easier (& possibly more aesthetically pleasing) with a single animal on display...
Either would work, but I can dig his reluctance with the PVC...

I do. Ah PVC- just melt it! I THINK the plastics makers for herps install UTH, I KNOW they install radiant heat panels above.

Funny on aesthetics- with clamp lamps you need a canopy to hide that stupid look. Before I had a larger setup, I used them- cheap, then after a year I dumped them because my place looked like a hardware store!!

But if one gets a canopy to cover them, then they look nice

 

[Gilligan]

This old chestnut about heat mats!!

There is nothing wrong with using heat mats, they are used all the time in Europe, it's just that people outside of Europe seem adverse to using quality thermostats to control heat mats.

I know of a professional ROYAL PYTHON breeder in the UK that has changed all his python vivs from ceramic to heat mats, due to energy costs, 18 + months ago, and the snakes seem to be better off, they certainly shed better apparently.

To each their own. I know many who have had problems and burned snakes with it, so I usually advise against it. For novice or those getting back into it, above heat usually can be easier.

 

[Tarantuland]

you can cover the top with foil, bubble wrap, or sheets of acrylic to keep moisture in, or just spray. Agreed a big water dish will help. They don’t need a ton of humidity aside from shedding , but setting up humid hides helps , take a big Tupperware the snake can fit in and cut a hold large enough for the snake and then fill with a little damp long strand moss.

heat bulbs are more expensive, trickier to get the exact temperature of, and dry out the enclosures more.I have some radiant heat panels I’m gonna try out soon, but aside from that I recommend the under tank heat mats. They absolutely must be on a thermostat though or you will cook your snake

To each their own. I know many who have had problems and burned snakes with it, so I usually advise against it. For novice or those getting back into it, above heat usually can be easier.

We’re the people you know using thermostats?

Well heat from above is generally better than heat from below, so a couple decent UVB heat lamps on that screen top, with an elevated branch directly underneath one for a basking spot would work well.

UVB bulbs do not produce heat. Even if they did, why would you need more than one?

Well, the sun radiantly heats surfaces used for basking in the wild, & in my opinion, is just as easily replicated in captivity. the animal(s) are warmed as they would be in the wild, & adjusting the distance from a bulb is usually just as easy as setting a thermostat, but without needing to buy a thermostat.

Ball pythons often live in termite mounds, a 12” bulb and the sun aren’t equal. Do you also only feed live because that’s what happens in the wild

 

[Gilligan]

We’re the people you know using thermostats?

Yeah they were. In most cases the snake either moved the buffer between the heat pad, or the person didn't use the pad correctly. Accidents happen and in my personal experience, bulb accidents can be easier to handle/resolve for newbies then heat mats. Heat mats are a good resource, but unfortunately many people don't know how to use them correctly, or don't know they are using them wrong.