r/ballpython • u/pftlogkm • 2d ago
Please help, my sister dumped her python on me
It’s a 3-year-old female ball python. I’m learning how to care for her, but I’m overwhelmed by how inadequate the equipment is that I’ve been given.
It includes a glass tank that’s only 36x18x18, and it’s being heated by a single 100 watt ceramic bulb. The screen is divided into four narrow sections which means the dome for any bulb that I use must be tiny. Theres also a humidifier, which isn’t ideal, according to what I’ve read. And I’m having a hard time figuring out how to create a temperature gradient. Is it even possible in a tank this small?
I want to upgrade the tank, but I’m currently staying 100s of miles away from home in order to attend school and I can’t realistically acquire a new enclosure until I return home next spring.
Any suggestions? I am very eager to provide a better life for this sweet girl after years of mistreatment.
2
u/Muux_ 2d ago
If you want to do the best you can without upgrading the enclosure yet, then you’ll want to change the bulb and get rid of the humidifier.
Humidity - you’ll first want to empty everything out and seal the bottom and the corners of the enclosure with aquarium safe silicone. Once fully cured, you’ll want to use a few inches of substrate. Much more than you have here and pour water into the corners so that it goes down to the lower levels.
Bulb - firstly it looks like this might be a deep dome, which should not be used with a ceramic heat emitter. Just letting you know it’s not safe, but either way id suggest switching to a DHP which is a bulb that’s much better in a few areas. You should be able to reach a proper temperature gradient, but it’ll take a lot of tweaking like all setups do. If you have the money for it right now, I would suggest buying a better thermostat like herpstat from spyder robotics or a vivarium electronics thermostat. These are the best reliable ones. Not something to skimp on.
The probe placement for these is really important, you want it a few inches below your bulb. It looks like your sisters may be all the way at the bottom and not even below the bulb
Then you’ll want two digital thermometer/hygrometers in there, one for each side. I recommend Govee
Lastly, smaller hides. Two identical ones for each side and you want it to be shaped like the one on the left but smaller. All sides including top should be touching the snake so that it fits snugly. You can use the others as clutter or get more clutter to fill up the empty spaces