To heat or not to heat!(please help me...)

[RoyalRazer]

Ok, heres the deal.Since I am going to get a royal I know the snake will need a moderate heater.The problem is I don't know which one to use!

I know to guys, they both own good quality reptile shops, one says use a heater pad the other says a ceramic heater. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img]

Theres more, I just found out they know each other and disagree with each others opinions!!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif[/img]

The one who normally supplies locusts for my lizard has breed generations of royals on heater pads and has had know problem.

But the other guy who has a much wider stock which includes: an alligator, a few caimens, a retic, a yellow anaconda, 3 burms, an alligator snapping turtle and much more(and bps of course), says heater pads cook the snakes insides!!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img]

My first chose was a heater pad, but those 2 B@#**~/ have screwed with my mind!!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img]

Help me before I go psycho and murder the neighbour hood!!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif[/img]
[addsig]

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

[Countryboy]

I personally would go with the heating pad and hook it up to a reostat or a light dimmer so that you can control the heat. If it cooks your snake the pad iw way to hot. Snakes need belly heat to digest there food properly and what better way to provode bellt heat that an heating pad under the tank. Thats my .02
[addsig]

[reptilemama]

I think either one is ok, but you have to make sure to measure the temps with a good digital thermometer. You could "cook" a snake with either one, if it's too hot. If it's at the correct temperature, it's fine. Personally, I like heat pads or Flexwatt heat tape. No bulky ceramic fixtures to mess with ot get knocked over.
[addsig]

[Karen]

Well, I sort of learned by trial and error over the years and have made a full circle. haha I now use what I started with...human heating pads. lol
[addsig]

I use both, ha!
[addsig]

[LdyDrgn]

I use human heating pads AND CHE's. Reason being is that I use large enclosures. The heat pad alone isn't going to provide enough heat outside of the hide itself. Sometimes they will sit on top of their hides and 'bask' in the heat from the emitter. I usually set the heat pad on medium. It doesn't get too hot on that setting. As far as 'cooking your snake', it all comes down to responsibility. You need to closely monitor the temps. Place your hand on the glass over the heat pad. If it's uncomfortably warm to your hand, then it's too hot for the snake. The belly heat is necessary for digestion as Countryboy said. There are those that will say to do without the heat pad because the snake will eliminate inside the hide and end up with scale rot/fecal burns from sitting in it's own baking waste. This is also a responsibility issue. You don't remove a necessary item to compensate for laziness. Lifting the hides and checking for waste is something that needs to be done whether there is a heat pad or not (there should be 2 hides, remember). Anyway, good luck with the Royal. I really enjoy mine. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
[addsig]

	Ceramic Heat Emitter Ceramic Heat Emitter: A porcelain heating device that screws into a standard porcelain incandescent socket

[XzyluM]

Michelle said it all. I use both, a human heating pad and a heat lamp. The temps stay around the right degrees with both on. I use a reptile light for night heat and the 12 off period ( I couldn't find a red light or other bulb ) and a regular 100W bulb for daylight and 12 on period.
[addsig]

[rottie]

I use heat pads ... Just make sure you know the temps in your cage and can control them by some means.

I take measurements daily with infared temp gun..

rottie
[addsig]

[cb76]

we are all forgetting 1 question.
ARE YOU OR DO YOU USE ANY SUBSTRATES???

if you do, a UTH is worthless. i have a stack of these and think they were just a waste of money. they dont penetrate through the substrate.

i use CHE's the warm the entire enclosure and right underneath the CHE is the hot spot- about 90 degrees- to warm up the belly when needed.

figure out what you are going to use as a substrate and then work from there. if you are going to use newspaper and stuff ike that use a UTH- and a heating element from above!

if you are using an aquarium you'll need it. you have to worry about the air temp as well. its not just floor temps y'know.

just make sure you have the enclosure in a stable area (no drafts or too hot, etc....)
and then try different combinations of stuff. that is the only way you're gonna find the perfect set up.

oh yeah- if you go bulb instead of CHE- stay away from ESU products- they are crappy.
[addsig]

	Under Tank Heater Under Tank Heater

	Ceramic Heat Emitter Ceramic Heat Emitter: A porcelain heating device that screws into a standard porcelain incandescent socket

[NYCSpeedcore]

At the moment I use all ceramic heat emitters and flexwatt in my tanks, but from now on I am going with heat pannels and flexwatt. In my largerest tank ( 54"x36"x18&quot I have too small of an heated area created by my CHE, it tends to be real hot right under it and the majority of the rest of the tank is much cooler, plus the emitter gets wicked hot. Heat pannels are safer as far as burning is concerned and spread out the heated area better. Oh, I totally agree with you cb76, I can't count how many times I have had ESU bulbs blow or have the glass bulb become detached from the metal base resulting in me haveing to work it you with a pair of plyers.
[addsig]

	Ceramic Heat Emitter Ceramic Heat Emitter: A porcelain heating device that screws into a standard porcelain incandescent socket