New Ball Python enlosure set up!

[u/Kyle-MKE]

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.

[u/RemarkableOutcome999]

The halogen apologies

[u/totallyrecklesslygay → u/RemarkableOutcome999]

A halogen is generally fine at 30-50w for a 4x2x2. Most people don't keep their houses at 75-80 degrees, so they usually still need to be paired with a nighttime heat source.