Heating/Lighting

Question
QUESTION: I recently moved my Ball Python to a larger cage.  I'm having trouble heating it to the proper temperatures. Undertank heaters don't seem to come in large enough sizes to do the job.  I purchased expensive lighting and ceramic heat coils but the top of the cage is nearly three feet from the floor of it and very open.  The heat doesn't get to the snake and the electric company put me on their X-mas card list. What do you recommend for temp,light,humidity?

ANSWER: Hello Mike,

What do you mean that the electric company put you on their christmas card list?  
That does pose a problem being that tall, but you should still be able to get those temps established somehow.  What wattage of ceramic heat emitter are you using?
Maybe you should close up the tank a little bit more for less open air so it will hold the heat in the tank a little more.  
Did you put the undertank heater on the same end as the ceramic heat emitter?  
What type of thermometer are you using to measure the temps with?  A stick on type, a digital probe or a temp gun?

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


Cage   QUESTION: Hello Tracie,
I would first like to thank you for responding to my inquiry in such a timely manner and apologies for failing to return the favor.  What i meant was that my energy cost has gone up so much that Florida power and light feels inclined to add me to there Xmas card list.  The heat emitter is 150 watts.  it was recommended for larger tanks but i was trying to compensate for the height of the terrarium.  I also recently bought Zoomeds 50-60 gallon size under tank heater and placed extra substrate over it again for equilibrium.  I am going to close the top some with Plexiglass as per your suggestion.  The temperature is taken with an adhesive type temp. band that is in the center between the hot and cold side.  Ceramic emitter and heat pad are on the same side.  There is no measure for the humidity at the moment but it do spray the cypress mulch regularly.  The snake eats weekly and greedily and sheds compleat.  It shows no signs of stress other than spending all of its time in the cold hide. Attempting to attach some images you may find helpful.

Answer
Hello Mike,

I had forgotten to ask what the temperatures are right now, & what type of thermometer are you using to measure the temperatures with?  
Good, I think closing the top will help hold some heat in, but make sure his "hot spot" on the one end doesn't get over 92 or.  The best range for the hot spot is 88-92, & the cooler end around 80 or so, just so he can cool off when he wants to.
At least he is eating well, that is great.  If he is spending alot of time in the cool area, it could be too hot, but you will need to test the temperatures.  
The size of undertank heater sounds like it is large enough for the tank though along with the heat emitter.  
Let me know what the temperatures are.  
I know, the power costs are ridiculous aren't they?

Tracie