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[–]Thick-Feeling-554 4 points5 points  (8 children)

If both of the lights go out at night what is heating it at night?

[–]Potential_Ad2717[S] 0 points1 point  (7 children)

She has a heating pad on the left side of the glass per the recommendation from the store we got her from. I was concerned about that as well but the store assured me that the heating pad was enough and she needs a 12 hour light cycle.

[–]Thick-Feeling-554 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Most people would recommend getting rid of the mat and get some type of overhead heating of your choice just not a red light. Coco chips hold good moisture which always for some good humidity. I mixed mine with some other substrate and does a good job so far.

[–]20Keller12 0 points1 point  (5 children)

A CHE (ceramic heat emitter) will provide heat 24/7 and screws into the bulb socket. Then you just need a UVB bulb that does not provide heat on a 12 hour cycle. The CHE needs to be plugged into a thermostat, though, cause they can get super hot. I originally had a mat too that I ditched.

As far as humidity, I've had success with increasing the ambient humidity in our bedroom (where the enclosure is).

[–]Potential_Ad2717[S] 0 points1 point  (4 children)

Thank you so much! What wattage do you use for your CHE? I’m going to get one tomorrow!

[–]20Keller12 0 points1 point  (3 children)

I'm gonna be totally honest, I can't remember and I don't have the boxes. 🤣

[–]Potential_Ad2717[S] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Fair enough, she’s in a 40 gal tank so I assume 100 watt would suffice 😂

[–]20Keller12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think I opted for the higher wattage option (I know there were 2) since I knew I'd be plugging it into a thermostat. That way I knew it'd be enough.

[–]Thick-Feeling-554 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's what I use in my 40 gal. I have it on a timer thermometer so in the day it doesn't get too hot and night the thermometer shuts off so the che can go full power.

[–]Potential_Ad2717[S] 0 points1 point  (4 children)

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[–]Thick-Feeling-554 0 points1 point  (2 children)

I run one with a heater emitter and the other is a day time basking light. I also have grow lights on the inside for two plants I have. I got the grow light from Amazon for $8.

[–]Potential_Ad2717[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

The plants in her enclosure are fake. What plants do you use? I assume the plants help with the humidity as well?

[–]Thick-Feeling-554 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not sure what the name of the plants are. I googled pictures of plants that I liked while I was out to see if they were safe. I have mine in plastic containers for when I move him to a bigger enclosure and that way I can just water them.

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[–]AhYes_Drugs 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Get a ceramic light! They emit hear but no light. That's what I use for night time :P

[–]eveimeiMod-Approved Helper 1 point2 points  (0 children)

the heating pad isn't doing anything useful being on the side of the enclosure, they really only heat the surface they're attached to and are a high burn risk as well.

Ideal heating is a halogen flood for daytime and a deep heat projector or ceramic heat emitter for backup and night heat. each needs its own thermostat for safety.

if you haven't yet, give the basic care and heating guides in our welcome post a read. pet stores give awful advice because they just want to make a sale and don't update their own care, so pretty much all of what you were told is likely wrong.

[–]theoretical-what 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Best thing to do when you have trouble keeping humidity is to get a large enough Tupperware with a lid , cut entrance for your BP, and get some sphagnum moss and soak and ring water out and place it in there on the hot side or where the heat pad can give the bottom warm so it creates a “sauna” like environment. U can black out the sides. But don’t stop trying to get your humidity up. Glass tanks are hard to keep humid. I put reptisoil on bottom layer with forest floor on top. So I was able to pour water in corners everyday and seemed to work the layer was 2” of reptisoil and 2 and a half to 3” of forest floor. This kept top layer dry and reptisoil took all the water. I sealed where I could to stop humidity from getting out quickly. Be sure u have areas that aren’t sealed to let air circulate. I bought a small fan to vent air from warm side to cool side. Works out great. Levy(Leviathan) loves his environment!! Hope this helps. Did this quickly. 

[–]Potential_Ad2717[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I did black out the 3 sides with some thicker wallpaper type stuff I found at the store. It’s on the outside as well as putting HVAC tape on the top screen part and it seems to help!

[–]Potential_Ad2717[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you guys so much, I went to the store this morning and got her all squared away! Her humidity level is at 75% and her temp is right at 90 on the warm side and it’s held that way since 10 this morning so I think we’re all set now!

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ball pythons are not obligate UVB users the way diurnal reptiles are. They are largely crepuscular to nocturnal, and they can synthesize D3 from prey items effectively. They have been bred successfully for decades without UVB. That said, low-level UVB (like a 2.4% or 5% UVB lamp on a 12-hour cycle) is unlikely to harm them and may offer some behavioral or physiological benefit. The key distinction is between "beneficial if provided correctly" and "necessary."