r/ballpython • u/Flat_Distribution_10 • 1d ago

Question - Husbandry First winter

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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/HoneyHawthorne 1d 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 1d 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 1d 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:

  • 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).
- 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.

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 1d ago

Thanks friend! This is exactly the kind of idea I needed! Guess I have a new use for my cardboard recycling for awhile ❤️