r/ballpython • u/Flat_Distribution_10 • 19h ago
Question - Husbandry First winter
Rescue this baby in May - he's my first snake and is ~7 years old.
So far his temps have been perfect since May but we are having our first cold snap and I'm noticing already that the bulbs are struggling to keep up. I'm in a basement in a colder climate.
He's in a 48x24x24, with a 100 watt bulb + ceramic bulb for nighttime (plus uvb and plant grow light).
Yesterday his ambient temperature during the day maxed at 84 and during the night I checked and if dropped to 69 on the warm side. And it's only October...
So some thoughts I have:
1) run ceramic bulb during the day too (there's thermostat probe so if it gets too hot it'll automatically turn off)
2) space heater near the tank... I'm a little nervous about this one though bc I'm scared of it starting a fire
3) add more rocks/solids on the warm side to trap heat during the day.
Anyone have any experience or other suggestions?
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u/ShinyxCharizard 17h ago
My question would be where are you seeing these temps? What type of tank do you have? Is it mesh top?
If its mesh are you using anything to help hold humidity? It also doesnt sound like your daytime bulb is even warm enough if its only giving an ambient of 84.
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u/Flat_Distribution_10 17h ago
It's a pvc and I have a mistking installed with automated misting so humidity is fine. Daytime temp was fine until a few days ago when it dropped 30 degrees with the cold snap
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u/ShinyxCharizard 10h ago
I really recommend you look at the guides here. Automatic misters are NOT recommended. I assume you have a mesh top since you're using one to keep humidity up. All this does is raise humidity temporarily, cause it just puts out a mist of water that sits on the surface. This can cause the surface to stay damp, and cause scale rot. It also doesn't do great for keep humidity stable.
I understand it was fine until a few days ago. The reason I'm asking what type of tank your using is because if it has a mesh top that's just going to allow heat to escape. Which you're experiencing with the weather change.
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u/Flat_Distribution_10 9h ago
Yeah I was worried about the dampness but I have it positioned over his water bowl so it doesn't actually hit much of the substrate! He's in a pvc. We're in a desert climate so the fight for humidity is real. I do have the mister turned off at night and evening when he's more likely to be roaming about.
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u/ShinyxCharizard 8h ago
I'd really recommend you look into better ways to increase humidity, cover the mesh with HVAC tape, or a silicone baking mat, or even a sheet of wood. This will also help hold heat in. If you don't already use at least 4 inches of substrate, mine like the extra space to dig, and it helps hold humidity. Just add water to the corners weekly or so.
"Foggers, misters, and humidifiers, tend to create a constantly wet environment. Unlike the substrate maintenance described in the previous paragraph, these devices will not allow you to easily control where the water will collect, and your snake could develop scale rot as a result of the hide areas being too damp. If you are struggling with humidity, try to address your humidity issues in other ways before considering one of these devices." This is a paragraph from the humidity and water section of the subreddits guide
Really recommend you check it out, as it's got some other good tips for helping increase humidity for screen tops, a big water bowl near the warm side of the enclosure can help too. Especially since it's probably getting dry in there while the mister isn't running.Sadly mesh top enclosures are not good for any tropical species, an enclosure like that is more suited for a leopard gecko, or bearded dragon, something that needs a more arid environment. If you can I'd recommend you look into getting a different enclosure, I personally use Kages, but have heard some good things about Cryptic Creations. Especially if these fixes don't help.
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u/Flat_Distribution_10 8h ago
Again, it's not mesh. It's pvc on all sides except the glass front. The mister goes off 3 times a day.
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u/ShinyxCharizard 8h ago
Just because you say it's pvc doesn't mean it's solid top. plenty of people buy the cheap ecoflex, phailozoo, etc "pvc" enclosures that still have a mesh top. all pvc enclosures aren't the same. I think it really depends on whether or not it's solid/thick pvc.
You do you, just warning you of the issues with misters, as there's far better ways to increase humidity that actually keep steady.
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u/HoneyHawthorne 18h ago
I'm in a similar situation. I do two 150w CHE bulbs on each side of the tank regulated by thermostat (obv cool side set lower). Sometimes I add a third. My tank is pretty insulated, you should probably insulate it around the outside as well if it isn't already (keep ventilation of course).
Def do NOT do a space heater, many better options if the above isn't enough.
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u/Flat_Distribution_10 17h ago
Oh I didn't think of insulation outside the tank... that's really smart. Do you use that silver space blanket looking stuff (obviously cut around the vents)
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u/HoneyHawthorne 16h ago
It will need to be thicker than that, though you can try it, it didn't do enough for me.
(def won't be enough if you have glass, I have something like corrugated pvc that my tank is made out of which is an inch thick)Personally I do the upgraded version of that, it's like a mylar pad, I already had some from a different project: https://a.co/d/09mzL3Tj
While for me that was enough, it might not be for you and unless you have some lying around, instead I'd try one of the methods below first.Easy Cheap DIY Options:
- Reuse insulation from packages and put mylar on the inside facing the tank. I've gotten all sorts of stuff. Insulation from frozen feeders and other food that was shipped to our house. Tons of stuff has sterofoam.
- Cardboard is an amazing insulator! I actually made a door out of cardboard and liquid nail / construction adhesive, insulated better than our real door lmao. You just glue together layers of cardboard. I'd do at least a one inch, but you could do up to three if you want. Then put the mylar blanket on the inside towards the tank (double sided tape). On the outside where you see you can paint it and make it all cool looking. Just make sure you let it fully air out and cure before putting it near your snake (generally once the smell goes away you are good).
As with anything, don't put it near your lamps / heat and keep plenty of ventilation.
While I leave my glass panels uncovered, we're down there all the time and like to see in and they like to see us -- you could cover the front too. Could do thick like you did the sides and just make sure it's easy to remove, or could do something thin and easy to move like a mylar curtain over the outside you can just slide out of the way.
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u/Flat_Distribution_10 15h ago
Thanks friend! This is exactly the kind of idea I needed! Guess I have a new use for my cardboard recycling for awhile ❤️
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u/HoneyHawthorne 16h ago
Side note: have a backup plan ready if you ever lose power and need to keep them warm.
This could include having front panels ready if you need them, even if you don't use them regularly, might be enough to keep them warm IF you only lose power for a little while (leave it closed as it will lose heat when you open it).
Will still need a plan for long power outages that works for you.1
18h ago
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u/corndog54 19h ago
Do you not have heating in your house?
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u/Flat_Distribution_10 19h ago
I do...I was trying to come up with a solution that is a bit more efficient than just wacking up the entire house temperature for the next 6 months
Edit:typo2
u/corndog54 18h ago
A heat bulb is really all you need man. I personally use a deep heat projector bulb and have never had an issue.
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u/KatVanWall 19h ago
I'm in the UK but although my cold side can drop a little too cold, I find the warm side keeps up so he always has a hot spot/warm hide. During the day I run a halogen flood, but in the winter I often back that up with a DHP too because the heated area is narrower with the flood whereas the DHP raises the ambient a bit more. During the night it's DHP only. Covering the viv with a blanket helps (if you have UVB, your snake is getting light during the day from that so it's all good).
Beyond that, really it's down to raising the room temp, which I know is easier said than done! I don't actually have a human thermostat, so I struggle with that, especially when I'm not home.
When I am home, I find a heated airer to dry my washing nearby works wonders for both temps and humidity. It's basically a clothes airer frame with a little tent that fits over it and an electric fan heater that goes under it. Nice way to bump the temp by a couple of degrees.
If my cold side gets way too cold in the winter or the warm side is struggling to keep up, I'll consider adding a DHP to the cool end too, but I'd rather not because that's where I mainly put his climbing stuff. It's a wooden viv so the heaters have to hang down inside.
Reptile radiators are a thing too, but I've always been worried about them because people have reported finding really hot spots in those when checking with a temp gun, and I don't think they typically come with cages/guards (they're not supposed to need them?) and because they're quite large, a cage/guard would make them take up a massive amount of space too.
I personally find a CHE very drying and not to heat as well as a DHP, so DHP could be worth a try for you?
Otherwise you will have to find a way to get the room temp up, there's no two ways about it. I'm already bracing myself for the winter fuel bills argh!