Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just bought a 29 gallon tank for my yellow rat snake but I am having a little trouble getting the right temp. I am not going to hybernate the snake so I want to keep the temp on the warm side around 80-82 degrees. I am using a 100 Watt Incandescent Day-glo bulb and it is only getting around 74 degrees on the warm side and around 69 on the cooler side of the tank. I figure this is a little to cool so I bought a 75watt basking spot light. Now this brought the temp up to around 77 degrees on the warm side..(cooler side stayed the same). I was wondering if I should go with a 150watt incandescent day-glo or go with a 100watt basking light? I can use the other bulbs for my lizard and turtle(especially the basking light for the turtle)so I am not worried about all these bulbs as they will be used. I just wanna make sure I don't go and get to many since I just bought three over the weekend. I had the snake in a 10 since he was a yearling but he is getting big and out grew that tank. I will take any help ...

Another thing... Under pads... Do they go INSIDE the tank or actually UNDER the tank... I never used one before incase this may sound like a stupid question to some... Cause I was also thinking about getting one of those BUT I don't have a stand for the tank at the moment and it is on the floor so if it actually goes under the tank I would want some sort of circulation for the heat and not burn my floor or cause any type of fire(if possible)... I actually prefer the heat lamps over these since I have 5 of the dome lights..but am willing to listen...but I would rather just buy a bulb to save some change(as long as I can get the temp right)..My main question is which bulb is better suited for the snake.. The Incandescent day-glo or the basking light(....I did get a night glo bulb and that keeps the temp fine)

I would really suggest an under tank heating pad. The cheapest are heating pads sold for humans at many drug and supermarkets. I have used them on aquariums at the medium to low setting for colubrids just fine. They go under the tank. Set it on low and check the heat with your hand on the inside bottom of the tank. Should be warm, but your hand can be left on top of the area indefinitely without getting too hot. You can always prop up the two ends of the tank with thin strips of wood to allow air flow underneath. The belly heat is much better for the snake to digest food. If not warm enough, set on medium.

Good Luck
KevinM