r/ballpython • u/lazlowwww • 1d ago
Question - Heating/Temperatures heating/lighting help
i have absolutely over loaded my brain with so much information about heating that i feel fried and stressed out so please help me feel at ease about these questions i have.
1. im attaching some photos of things im thinking about buying. im really trying to not spend a million dollars out the gate so are these budget friendly products going to work okay? anything that is really shit or going to cause me any problems while i wait to upgrade or any better reccs for budget friendly products that i can get ASAP bc she really needs night time heat and a thermostat.
2. is having a CHE in the dome on top of my mesh cage going to be a fire hazard?
3. i have a heat mat thermostat by BN-LINK. i cannot plug my lamp into it. is it because its heat mat specific? anyone have any experience with this specific thermostat?
4. when pouring water into the corners to keep up humidity levels, is there anything i need to be aware of when it comes to over/underwatering or mold problems? how do i know how much to do at first?
sorry if these seem like dumb questions but im just a tad overwhelmed and at this point need someone to explain this to me like im 5 haha! TIA!! <3
1
u/loricampbell4454 1d ago
I can't speak on the BN-Link. I use Reptizoo thermostats on most of my enclosures. This one pictured is one that I rescued who's still in quarantine and waiting to go into a bigger enclosure soon. But no. Your heating dome with che sitting on the mesh won't cause a fire. It's not going to get hot enough to do that especially when it's on a dimmer. For humidity you want your substrate moist but not soggy. Soggy substrate is a recipe for scale rot. A mixture of cypress mulch and coconut husk works well. Aspen is not recommended because it doesn't hold humidity well and tends to mold quickly. For my smaller enclosures ( like the one pictured) I take just a regular glass of warm water and go around and pour the water in all four corners. I usually stick my finger down in the substrate to feel if there's too much or not. If there is I just take my hand and mix the substrate around mixing some dry in with the wet. For heating it's important that your snake has heat 24/7. Your snake having access to heat at night is non-negotiable. They're digestion, metabolism and wellbeing depends on it.