I have a couple of question regarding ball python racks. First, what is the best tub to use. I have some small sterilite plastic shoeboxes which would probably be a good size for hatchlings, but they have these bumps on each corner which lift the tub a little bit off the rack. Is this a good thing or would a tub that sits right ontop of the heattape be better? Also, what's the best probe to use for monitoring the temperature of the hotspot in a tub? I bought a BAH-1000 thermostat for a smaller gecko rack and the probe on it is huge, I am unsure of how to use it for monitoring the surface temperature of the hotspot. What is the best way to wire the heattape on a rack? For my smaller rack, I just bought one long strip and snaked it through each level. It works well for smaller racks but I don't think it would for a larger one. Are bins ontop of the rack warmer than those at the bottom? And finally, what is the best thermostat? How do these thermostats monitor the surface temperature of the hotspot?
One more thing:
My bedroom is getting tight on space and I'd like to build additional racks in the basement. Only thing is that in the basement temps can drop to 60 one day and the next day it can be 70, thought most days it hovers in the low 60's. would it be too coold to keep ball python racks there? Also, the basement has no lighting, how would you light the room or the racks to give the ball pythons an appropriate photoperiod? Thanks a lot for your time.
