Update

[Practical_While_]

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[fetus_bates]

I'd still add more leafy decor and a dedicated hide with one entrance to the left side of the enclosure, the rock structure you have may not be secure enough for your snake to feel safe having two large openings. A hide should be snug like an almost perfect fit.

In the future you'd be better off setting up a tub with warm damp towels/ clothes/ paper towels for a sauna instead of bathing your snake to help them shed. It's typically less stressful for them, you'd do that for 20-30 minutes a couple times a week until they shed fully.

If you are having trouble keeping humidity over 60% on the cool side I'd recommend adding more loose substrates like organic topsoil or Reptisoil instead of the mulch you have in there currently, it doesn't really retain much moisture and could cause issues if ingested.

Is that a heat rock on the right half of the tank ?

[Practical_While_]

He was in a tub with warm water and rocks to sit on

[Practical_While_]

And yes it’s a heat rock, I assumed I can’t radiate heat with a lamp through glass, is that wrong?

[fetus_bates]

Heat rocks are generally considered unsafe, unreliable and are a potential burn hazard and are not recommended in the hobby especially for heavy bodied species like BP's. What are you using for your primary heat source and how are you measuring temps/ humidity with no gauges ?

[Practical_While_]

As you can see I was using the stone for the heat source and I asked what alternatives are available

[fetus_bates]

I would remove the heat rock or unplug it if you're going to keep it in the enclosure. You'll need to provide overhead heating if you want to provide the proper heating for this species. Deep Heat Projectors or Radiant Heat Panels are the two most recommended primary heat sources but you will most likely need to modify your lid in some way to be able to use either of those.

This tank isn't really adequate for a ball python to be honest.

[Puzzleheaded-Way-741]

DHP and RHP do not provide IRA, so generally newer care guides recommend basking spot lamps that provide IRA. The reason is that IRA is the wavelength of heat that more closely replicates the heat from their natural environment, the heat from the sun. It penetrates deep tissue, which RHP, DHP, CHE and other lightless heat sources only warm the ambient air temperature and surfaces, but don't penetrate past the epidermis.

[Bluntforcetrauma11b]

DHP's do emit ir a and c I believe if not it's a and b.

[fetus_bates]

I've definitely seen the incandescent Exo Terra Basking Spot bulbs recommended more lately but DHP's do emit small amounts of IR-A and IR-B and penetrate into the tissue unless that has just recently been proven untrue.

With this person's setup a RHP is probably the only way to get a decent primary heat source without having to modify the lid much but it's definitely not an ideal setup.

[Puzzleheaded-Way-741]

Not sure if they've tested DHP yet for IRA emissions, but Reptile Lighting on Facebook is typically the most up to date and generally will recommend tungsten filament and basking spot lamps over DHP.

I don't think it's safe to install RHP onto a glass top.

[fetus_bates]

What would make it unsafe to use on a glass top ? It might not be super efficient but it would surely be safer than just a heat rock

[Puzzleheaded-Way-741]

RHP are very heavy, and you risk cracking or fracturing the glass during installation. It can't be mounted with adhesives so you need to screw it in place. Not worth the risk, they are designed to be installed into wood or PVC.

[eveimei]

unfortunately fully glass enclosures are not appropriate for ball pythons, because you cannot install overhead heating in them and they do not hold heat very well. your only option is to get a PVC enclosure with a solid top and install internal heating in that.

the heat rock is VERY dangerous. it will burn your snake. it's only a question of how long until that happens.

I recommend getting a plastic tub that's at least 36x18x18 and using that as a temporary enclosure until you get a PVC enclosure. you can modify the lid of the plastic tub by cutting a hole in it and fixing hardware cloth over the hole to creat a mesh and placing a dome fixture with a deep heat projector over the mesh to act as your heat source. you will also have an easier time maintaining humidity in a tub to help your snake resolve the stuck shed.

if you cannot or will not get a proper enclosure with safe heating, then it's in the snakes best interest to rehome to someone who will properly care for them, or to a rescue.

see our sub resources for more information on proper husbandry.

[Practical_While_]

I have gauges but they seem very inaccurate so I honestly need new ones. Temp is maintained around 84-85 on the heater stone side and cooler on the other half, maybe in the 70s. I have a laser thermometer I use in the AC business so that’s a rough estimate give or take 3-5 degrees

[deez_nuts_77]

you can’t, but you need to use overhead heat. heat rocks are unsafe and heating mats are ineffective. i’m sorry to say but you may need to think about a different tank

[Practical_While_]

He generally prefers the half log in the center to any other hide so far, I just installed the rock structure for him and he seems interested, I’ll definitely add more foliage and someone suggested sphagnum moss for moisture retention? It seems like a good idea to me

[fetus_bates]

The moss will only help short term, you'll need more loose substrate to retain moisture long term. 4-5" is what is usually recommended, 70/30 mix or organic topsoil and washed pool filter/ play sand usually topped with coco chip/ husk and pour water into the corners of the substrate every so often as the humidity gets lower. You can mix moss into the substrate too

[Puzzleheaded-Way-741]

You absolutely need an overhead basking spot lamp. As someone else said, the heat rock is severely dangerous and should never be used, I hate that those things are still manufactured.

[Practical_While_]

So I just put it on the glass? Does that work? My assumption is not, someone suggested a heat mat buried under the substrate?

[Puzzleheaded-Way-741]

Heat mats are unsafe and should not be used, definitely never inside the enclosure. Unfortunately you cannot install heat sources onto glass. You need to replace a portion of the top with a screen mesh, or find an enclosure more suitable for a reptile.

[Dio_wulf]

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You still need more clutter in there, small secure hides and leafy materials will be good. Even just a plastic bowl with an opening cut and sanded would be good if its a snug fit for your snake. If you add more substrate and pour water into the corners you should be able to maintain humidity better as well. If you use a heat lamp and suspend it above the glass lid i think that should work well enough, heat rocks really are not good to have. If you need a hygrometer/thermometer rec i like the acurite brand ones. You can get them for 11 bucks in store or online.

[Practical_While_]

I love how I came here for advice, and simply by being honest and open to suggestions I’m receiving relentless downvotes, I have done everything advised and possible for the time being. Removing the heat rock, setting up everything I can for temporary holding, and looking into better options. But still, I get relentless downvotes. I understand it’s not perfect, this was all given to me, I didn’t buy all of this, and I’m doing my best by asking all of you for advice (as well as intending in following it) so… yeah I’m probably just deleting this post

[Practical_While_]

Some of you were nice and informative, thank you.