Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 6-month old Ball Python in a 10-gallon glass tank with a screen lid. I have a 100-watt Exo-Terra Heat Glo bulb mounted about 2 inches over top of the screen lid on one side of the tank. I keep my house temp at about 63-67 degrees. Do you guys think that this is tooo much power for this little tank? I had only a 60 watt bulb in there before and I couldn't get the temp to go over 75 degrees. I just don't want to leave for work tomorrow and burn my snake.

Do you know how long it should take for the tank to get to maximum temperature?

thanks

You got a thermometer in the tank? It's a little late to start now, but I'm thinkin' 100 watts may be to much. I'd go 75 first.

Quog

yes I have temp and humidity sensors at both sides of the tank. After about 1 hour of the bulb being on, I am running about 85 degrees on the hot side and about 80 degrees on the cold side. My humidity is only around 40%

I am concerned at how long the tank will take to reach maximum temperature..

how hot is too hot for a ball python?

Over 90 degrees for any length of time is not good. Is there a hide in the cool side of the tank for him to get in out of the heat. I do hope you can find a larger tank. There really isn't enough space in a 10 gallon to be able to thermoregulate properly.

Quig

after leaving the light on all night, the tank stayed about 85 on the hot side and 80 on the cool side with humidity at about 35%. This is alright correct?

I agree with Sneakypete. I will add, I think a 10 gal. is too small for a 6 month old bp. I house my 3 balls in 3 20 long tanks. With 2 hides in each 1 on the hot side and one on the cool side.
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2.1.0 ball python (aragorn, frodo, arwen)
2.0.0 columbian boa (wiggles and squiggles)
1.0.0 rat snake (alabastered)
0.1.0 corn snake (baby)
3.3.0 cats (rockie, bs, brownie, lerrado, kole, camie)
1.3.0 kids (dilyen, dakota, chyanne, sierra)
Brian n Chrissy

Unless you have a really small 6 month old - you really need to be thinking about upgrading your snake cage - a 10 gallon is fine for a baby - but by now your snake needs some more room to stretch out. As for your heat issue any heat device should be out on a thermostat - and that includes lamps - you can pick up a cheapy thermostat at your local pet store for about $30 this will keep your temperatures reasonably consistant. You also need to maintain a good humidity and the combination of that screen top and the heat lamp are killing yours - this is not healthy for the snake - you'll need to figure some way to get your humidity up to at a minimum a constant 50% preferably 60% - you can do this by covering your top, changing substrate adding bigger water bowls, spraying down the cage, etc.

Anyway - hope this helps.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

10.35.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi - yeah I know but my kids love the book)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.1 Lizard rescued from feline
0.0.0 frogs rescued from pool skimmer

yeah I will need to find some way of getting higher humidity, what substrate do you think is the best for ball pythons and where do you get it cheap from?

by the way, the heat on the hot side went down to 80 degrees since my house temp went down to 63 when I am away from home, what is the MINIMUM constant temp that the hot side should be for a Ball Python? the cool side is staying between 75-80 continuously.

I'd recommend heat UNDER the tank...on one end for temp variance. Then put something on top (part of it) to keep the humidity from leaving. Plastic wrap will do...but you still need a bit bigger tank.
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1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
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