Some Help please ...set up and CHE

[PolishPython]

Ok everyone I just set my tank up for my RTB that will be here Wed ... I have cyprus mulch as my substrate two nice hides a big water dish and some tree like substance i got from a pet store for it to climb on , also some fake leaves to hide. I have a ceramic heat emitter on my warm side and a reg 40 watt bulb on the other side. My questions are 1) i just plugged the CHE in for the first time and it has a odor, is that normal???? i know some appliances first plugged in can cause an odor. and 2) do you suggest anything else.. the stand that I have it on prvents me from using a UTH i do have the CHE hooked up to a thermostat. Im trying to monitor the day and nite temps for a few days before my little guy comes in.
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[Kaorte]

How does the stand prevent you from using a UTH?

I don't know much about boas but I do know that they need humidity. As long as you have the lamps, you will be fighting with them to maintain humidity.

[mrmertz]

Good luck with a RTB and no UTH. You may luck out with this particular guy, but overall be prepared for some not to pleasant experiences cleaning up regurge. RTB's as a rule are known for this. Our's is one of them. The UTH assists in their digestion.

And yes - with ceramic/heat lamps good luck trying to hold humidity levels, unless where you are that's not an issue. Here in the SW we'll take any humidity we can! Good luck!

[PolishPython]

WoW buddy I made a thread for some advice and I get good luck basically mocking me and what that's not what this site is for ....atleast I don't think it is so next time just don't bother writing anything. The stand is a custom made stand I have a corn snake on the bottom shelf but the top where the boa will go has not air circulation I don't need to come home from work to my aparmtnet burt down lol

[Kaorte]

A UTH will never burn anything except your animal if unregulated. If you use a thermostat, there is no risk unless the UTH malfunctions.

You should be able to sandwich some flexwatt between the top enclosure and the stand.

Is there no way that you can raise the enclosure off the stand like 1/4"?

Do you have a picture?

[PyramidPythons]

Hi PolishPython, congrats on your first Boa! I'm rather new to them, myself, bought my first one at the beginning of this month. A couple of important things that I have found out is that they need a good, constant humidity of about 50 to 60% (some people say even higher, but I wouldn't go above 70%, myself). Therefore, if you haven't got a good hygrometer, you might want to get one asap. Another important thing is the heat. Overhead lamps and CHEs tend to dry out the enclosure, so if you are going to be using those, you will need to mist your enclosure a few times a day. You could also put in a small saucer of water beneath the CHE so that it will evaporate it slowly. Keeping them warm (I've learned they get most of their heat through their bellies) after feeding is essential if you want to avoid regurgitation problems.

Finally, it is also important not to feed them a prey item that is too large. This is a common mistake that a lot of RTB owners make (or so I've heard) and it can really cause troubles down the road. I go by the "prey as big around as the largest circumference on the snake" method and find it works very well.

I believe it will be possible for you to keep the CHE, but it is going to require a heck of a lot more attention from you than if you had a UTH with a thermostat. At any rate, I'm sure you'll do just fine and will be rewarded with a wonderful friend. I absolutely adore mine, he has an excellent personality. Enjoy and if you have any other questions that I can offer help with, just let me know!