Problem with heating my tank?

Question

Alright so I have a heating lamp and a heating pad for under the tank but the thermometer still says the temp is in the 70's.

How can I get the temp higher so my ball python doesn't freeze?

Answer 1

Unless the ambient room temperature is really cool I suspect that your thermometer is off. Those stick on types sold at pet stores don't really measure the actual basking area but rather a combination of the air and the glass they're stuck on. Try another thermometer and lay it right in the basking area where your snake will be and wait for a stable reading and then remove it. It should be in the 90's F for a ball and if it is not you may need a slightly higher wattage lamp and/or reduce the thickness of substrate over the pad to about an inch.

Answer 2

Hello..think it might be the tank, trying to keep an aquaurium warm enough for a ball is pretty hard to do, they need 90 degrees ... your not saying the size of this tank or the size of the bulb ...etc so I can't help you much...best have a VERY secure top too, they are quite strong...but if you don't get up them temps up ..you won't have to worry, the snake will ..die !! This is another reason tanks are not good for lizards or snakes !! Also here's the reptile store/site we use which might be able to help ..but like me, they need to know what size tank your using & top...a totally screened top will not hold the heat in properly either !! DO NOT USE bulbs under a tank..they crack them & all bulbs MUST be on dimmer switches !! Take Care :)

Answer 3

i would get another heater or 2 forget the lamp they are not to safe . place the heaters on the warm side . if there is room stick 1 on the bottom and the other on the side of the aqarium. then set the thermostat where it will cut off at 90 deg they dont need to be any hotter than that.

Answer 4

try a black lamp at night and mabey get a bigger heating pad or bigger watt in the heating bulb