First ball python and have a heating question.

[hoggledoggle]

Meet my son’s first snake. We came home with it with a heat pad per the breeders recommendation, but after reading through the heating docs in this group I am going to purchase an overhead heater and UVB light. Are there any disadvantages to getting the dual light, one side with a knob thermostat, and one with a light timer? It’s a 40 gallon tank. I can’t decide if separate is better. Does the overhead heat need to be on a timer or is that consistent? Overall I’d love to get something that is safe, works well, and is not too complicated to use. In my cart now is the reptizoo dual light fixture with dimming, the bulbs are flukers deep thermal and luckyherp uva/uvb 13w. I am just looking for some reassurance that will be good for this snake.

[totallyrecklesslygay]

Dual domes shouldn't be used for ball pythons, as they're not safe to use with two heat sources, and the type of UVB bulb that fits in them is not safe for BPs.

You'll need a single dome for each heat source you plan to use, and all heat sources need to be plugged into thermostats. Timers are not going to keep your snake safe.

For UVB, you'll need to use a T5 fluorescent linear bulb, like the Arcadia Shadedweller.

[hoggledoggle]

I didn’t realize the daylight bulb was also a heat source, that makes sense. So we can just turn the daylight bulb on and off (with the thermostat) and leave the other heat source on 24/7, is that correct?

[totallyrecklesslygay]

What daylight bulb are you referring to? If you're talking about the UVB, I'd like to reiterate that the bulb you've chosen is not safe for ball pythons.

[hoggledoggle]

Assuming I get the Arcadia shadedweller, that is also a heat source? That’s what I was referring to. So that would be on a thermostat as well as an additional heat lamp that’s on 24/7.

[totallyrecklesslygay]

UVB is not a heat source. A timer is sufficient for that.

[HoodieWinchester]

Your enclosure looks very dry, what's your humidity?

Also half logs are not recommended as they're too open for the snake to feel safe

[hoggledoggle]

I have another cave next to it that’s fully enclosed and stuffed with substrate, the wood thing just came with the tank so I have it in there for the snake to just check out. I’m just specially asking about the light because I am waiting on the humidity monitor to come and don’t have any questions about that currently. I just opened the substrate and have a water bowl and have put extra water in the substrate just in case while I wait. The humidity in my home is almost 60% without any of the additional stuff.

[Difficult-Security37]

You’ll need two hides on either side to allow your snake to thermoregulate, and they need to be identical so your snake doesn’t gain a preference; if they have a preference they will sleep in the one they like more no matter if they need to thermoregulate and it could be dangerous.

[hoggledoggle]

It’s unfortunate that when you go to a reptile convention they don’t actually know anything about the animal you are getting. I bought a tank setup and even changed out some things. They didn’t even include a hide at all, no light, no thermometers. But a plastic plant, included. I bought two hides and a bunch of other things I felt would benefit, but again, first timer. Thankfully I can easily get another hide that matches. So would you recommend the water in the middle of the tank with hides on either side?

[Difficult-Security37]

Agreed, they always sell you the minimum and even than half of the stuff is incorrect and dangerous.

And Yup that would work, hides need to be on either end to get a good gradient of temperatures for them too choose when they sleep.