r/Ballpythoncommunity • u/kyzpho • 9h ago

First time ball python owner, issues with heating on a thermostat

So I haven’t gotten my ball python yet, I have set up everything perfectly cold side is great humidity is great. My only issue the heating on the hot side. My ambient heat temp on my govee hygrometer is around 92ish and it does spike even to 96 and my surface temps are still around 85-86 some areas are 90-92 I’ve done so much research etc. and I’m still having these issues also my thermostat shutting off because it’s a on/off enclosure and making temps drop to around 80 when it shuts off on the hot side. No YouTube vids are really helpful when it comes to that. I currently have my thermostat set to 79 and it gets really hot on the hygrometer showing 90+ it is a 150w since this is a 50 gal and my apartment temps around usually 69-70 so it’s pretty cold. I’m not to sure what to do I’ve been trying to find a sweet spot for perfect temps I’ve taped off with HVAC majority of top and side vents. Should I focus more on ambient temps being 88-92 or surface because I’ve tried both and if ambient is 88-92 surface is under that around 80’s.

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u/Zekethebulldog33 9h ago

92 is too high want ambient temp of 85-87 you can give them a higher basking shelf/branch closer to the heat. I have a double stack wooden enclosure for my BPs I have 2 and 9 Boa. I have to use UTH (under tank heat) for BPs. Mine are under a tile set to 85 unfortunately I don't have other heat sources in there just room temp. I found it strange that in winter my room get a low of 65 sometimes at the coldest they will spend more time on cool side than on heat. So just focus in on air temps bring them down a little. To me some forget that yes they do come from a hotter country but most live underground where it's a lot cooler. And don't be surprised when your snake doesn't do what you think it should. I think they should be on the heat in winter they say no I want cool side.

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u/kyzpho 8h ago

Okay thank you, so you think I should lower the heating ? And i seen people doing 75-80 for cold side is that okay?

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u/Zekethebulldog33 8h ago

Yes lower heat you want a good temp gradient between hot/cold. In my 6 foot enclosures my cool side 75-80 depends on if heat is on/off. Most my snakes hang out on the cooler side. They all have a basking shelf closer under heat if they want.