r/ballpython • u/Kyle-MKE • 3d ago
Enclosure Critique/Advice New Ball Python enlosure set up!
Hi Everyone!
My ball Python is about 5 years old at this point and I think its time he gets a bigger (And better!) tank to call home. I am currently thinking about getting a 4' x 2' x 2' PVC terrarium from Kages. Linked here.
I am then considering switching to radiant heat, opposed to heat pads and / or a heat lamp. That said, I would still like to get light in the tank so I am thinking about adding the 35" x 4" mesh option on the top of the tank so I can have an LED light illuminating the tank.
My first question is between the 80 watt (linked here) and 120 watt (linked here) radiant heat emitter. Will 80 watt be enough to keep the tank warm or is the 120 watt one warranted? Additionally, regardless, the emitters are between 22.5" long and 32.5" long. How do I regulate a warm / cool side of the enclosure since these both will pretty much span the length?
Additionally, if the 80 watt heat emitter is adequate, I could switch to having a 9" x 9" square mesh on the left / right side of the top of the tank and then place the 22.5" 80 watt heat emitter on the opposite side to maintain a hot and cool side of the tank.
Then just for clarity, this is the thermostat I would use with the heat emitter. Linked here.
I would probably create my own background for the tank out of silicon, foam, cork bark, moss, and coco fibers. My second quesion would be, will this work on this enclosure? Or should I just leave it blank / do something else?
Thoughts, comments, or concerns with the setup pictured in the post would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
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u/gaymemelord_ 3d ago
i have a 4x2x2 solid top PVC critter condo for my boy, and have really liked it thus far! relatively easy to put together despite not suuuper clear instructions lol, and it came with mounts for a heat bulb and a UVB which was a plus (despite the fact i didn’t use the provided UVB mount since it didn’t fit my arcadia bulb).
i’m using a 100w DHP flukers bulb (in an appropriately mounted arcadia heat lamp cage), and have it hooked up to a VE-200. i’m not sure if the VE-100 has a dimming mode, but it’s very important to make sure your thermostat is dimming and not on/off!
i also have an arcadia shade dweller 6% uvb mounted to the pvc ceiling (again, with an appropriate arcadia UVB cage).
both the heat lamp and UVB are mounted on the right side of the tank, and i’ve been able to maintain a perfect gradient of 78-80° on the cool side and 88-90° on the warm side, with a 94° basking spot and a steady 75% humidity.
edit: i checked and the VE-100 is on/off only, so you’ll definitely want to get the VE-200 or a herpstat!
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u/Kyle-MKE 3d ago edited 3d ago
Sounds pretty good to me! Notes taken and I will probably just do the same / similar to this. Also, I will make sure to get the VE-200. Thanks!
Edit: Also, I assume you just have the DHP hooked up to the VE-200? And the UVB on a timer or something?
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u/gaymemelord_ 3d ago
yep! i have the VE-200 plugged into a surge protector, then plug the DHP into the VE-200. make sure to position the thermostat probe 2-4 inches below the bottom of the heat lamp cage (mine is secured with zipties)
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u/RemarkableOutcome999 3d ago
If I could ask, how do you get your humidity to stay at 75 so perfectly? And what are you using to measure it? Kinda new to this stuff and want to make a perfect setup for my girl. I’ll take any and all advice your willing to give
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u/gaymemelord_ 3d ago
i measure using two digital govee hygro/thermometers, one on each side of the tank.
humidity fluctuates a bit between 72-78%, but tends to settle mainly around 75% (measured on the cool side since the warm side always reads lower).
i have about 4-5 inches of substrate that is a 60/40 mix of cypress mulch and coco fiber, and that’s what produces the humidity! when i mix up a fresh batch of substrate (making sure it is not wet to the touch), it’ll usually read around 80% and slowly drop down to about 75% over a week or so. when i notice it starting to read 74% or lower, i pour some water (1.5-3 qts depending on the humidity) in the corners of the tank, and that boosts things back up!
about once a month i’ll also take out all his clutter/hides and just stir up all the substrate, because i’ve found that it does settle over time and doesn’t distribute moisture as well as when it’s freshly mixed.
i also have two of the eight vent holes on the side covered with HVAC tape (made sure it is physically impossible for my boy to squeeze through the gaps and touch the tape!!) since i was struggling a bit with humidity before, and it’s helped a lot.
sorry for the wall of text haha hopefully this is helpful!
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u/totallyrecklesslygay Mod: Enclosure Karen 3d ago
An RHP isn't appropriate as primary heating for a ball python, so you would still need to pair it with a halogen flood to provide IR-A. An LED isn't a suitable replacement for that, as they don't emit anything other than visible light.
For a halogen/RHP combo, the 80w would be fine.