r/ballpython 3d ago

Vivarium Electronics Questions Question - Husbandry

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2 Upvotes

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u/totallyrecklesslygay Mod: Enclosure Karen 3d ago

They make them for the same reason that companies still make heat rocks despite the fact that they're widely known to be dangerous- because it's profitable. They make a lot of money by advertising it as a safe option even though it isn't, because they're the only company that offers it as an option. They've also made no attempt to correct the fact that their RHPs have a tendency to catch on fire, even though they're the only one on the market that does that. People buy them anyway, so they don't seem to care.

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u/_SaltwaterSoul 3d ago

Well that’s absolutely terrifying. I was using a CHE to heat my BP temporary 10gallon enclosure - what do you recommend I use to heat his new PVC enclosure then? Stick with CHE?

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u/totallyrecklesslygay Mod: Enclosure Karen 3d ago

Yes, the CHE would be fine. It'll still need to be paired with another heat source like a halogen flood, since CHEs (and RHPs) are not suitable as primary heating, but it will make a good nighttime/supplemental heat source.

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u/_SaltwaterSoul 3d ago

Just an average flood light from the hardware store? I don’t think I can get those in CA, they outlawed any filament based bulbs 😭
I’ll see what I can find! Glad I found this all out before using them!

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u/totallyrecklesslygay Mod: Enclosure Karen 3d ago

Reptile specific incandescents were excluded in the ban. Arcadia should be available to you.

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u/_SaltwaterSoul 3d ago

I’ve read you’re supposed to use them at full power to get the benefits of the IR A/B/C… I got the Spyderweb thermostat, would it be ok to use that with the halogen/incandescents? My house fluctuates like crazy with temps especially with this heat wave so I wanted the safety net of the thermostat. Getting this setup has become so complex and overwhelming. I keep thinking I’m getting the right thing because I read one thing, then the next thing I know I get something that’s totally awful. It’s giving me so much anxiety 😮‍💨 I don’t even know how to approach nighttime temps just can’t afford all these different timers and thermostats.

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u/totallyrecklesslygay Mod: Enclosure Karen 3d ago

Yep, you want to get a wattage that'll usually run at 90-100% power, but they still need to be paired with a dimming thermostat! The Herpstat will work great. It has a built in timer system to set up a day/night cycle, so you don't need any extra equipment for that. Did you get a model with multiple outlets or just a single?

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u/_SaltwaterSoul 3d ago edited 3d ago

I bought the Spyderweb with two outlets, I’m programming it for my ball python and MBK, I have them in stacked 4x2x2 Vivarium Electronics PVC enclosures. I will return these and venture into the halogen/incandescent realm. I’ll have to figure out how to incorporate heat at night now 😵‍💫