Getting a BP, like some advice on tank, heating, etc.

[BallPython29]

I'm going to be getting my first BP and I'd like some advice please. I was going to get a plastic sterilite to keep him in, a UTH that they sell at the pet stores to stick under the bottom that covers about 1/3 to 1/2 of the warm side with a thermostat attached, Two hides made from the saucers of plant pots since I know they like snug hides. A large water bowl to stick somewhere on the cool side, Possibly a branch or two to give him/her something to rub on when shedding, I bought one of those Tempguns to measure temps but I'm also going to get digital thermometer/hygrometers to put in there to measure floor temps and ambient temps. Aspen bedding as the substrate. I'll poke some holes in the lid for air of course but not too many so I can keep the humidity up inside there. I don't really care how nice it's going to look. If I did I'd be trying to get some fancy tank and put all kinds of plants and stuff in there. Just want something he'll be happy in with the right heat/humidity requirements. As far as the UTH goes, is it OK to stick that thing to the bottom of the plastic as long as a thermostat keeps the temp regulated? And if I get something for the warm side, how does the cool side not get too cool? Will the warm side UTH be enough to take care of the whole container? The container I'm looking at is only going to be about 6" high. Hopefully I covered all things here. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[iCandiBallPythons]

I would put the holes on the tub instead of the top, you really don't need a branch in the tub ( with proper humidity they will shed fine, to help with shed: After they go blue then their eyes clear up, spritz the warm side with water). As far as water bowls I use 3 or 4 inch crock style bowls, really no need for a large bowl. You should be fine with the UTH and T-stat.

[DShaw]

well for my tub I had a heat pad on the warm side that would be in the 90's but my cool side would be all the way in the 70's so I now run to heat pads on set for 90 and one set for 80........hope that helps

[BallPython29]

well for my tub I had a heat pad on the warm side that would be in the 90's but my cool side would be all the way in the 70's so I now run to heat pads on set for 90 and one set for 80........hope that helps

That's a good idea. A little more expensive of an idea but my future BP is worth it! lol I'll get 2 UTH's and 2 different thermostats. What about the hides? Do you have to take the hides into consideration as far as temps go? If the temp is 90 outside of the hide, I would assume it'll be hotter inside the hide since the heat would get trapped inside. And now I think about it, where exactly do you measure the temps? On top of the aspen or against the floor underneath the aspen? I would guess those temps will both be different too. Thanks.

[Vypyrz]

My 3 suggestions would be to:

1) Don't stick the UTH to the bottom of the tub if it has that peel off adhesive. Instead, tape it on with aluminum tape. That way you can remove it and re-use it when the need arises.

2) Some brands of UTH come with little stick-on risers to raise the tank/tub to allow for a little ventilation air under the enclosure. If yours doesn't come with these, you can simply hot glue/super glue some plastic bottle caps at each of the lower corners to achieve the same effect.

3) Check the security of the lid on your tub. Sometimes they will push up pretty easy or have a gap between the lid and tub lip. To prevent escapes, you will need to use something to hold the lid on snug. You can use binder clips, bungee cords, or luggage straps. I prefer the luggage straps just because I think they look nicer. You can get them at Target or Wal-mart.

[BallPython29]

I have another question about the UTH's that I'm going to use. Do they have to cover every square inch underneath the tub or is it OK to have a little gap in between them and on the sides as well? Thanks.

[nickdolin]

Another way to get the temps up instead of using 2 UTH's is to do what I'm doing which is using a space heater to keep the room about 80F. With 1 UTH my warm is 93 and the ambient is 82ish.

[BallPython29]

Another way to get the temps up instead of using 2 UTH's is to do what I'm doing which is using a space heater to keep the room about 80F. With 1 UTH my warm is 93 and the ambient is 82ish.

If I didn't keep him in my bedroom I'd do something like that but I'd probably have trouble sleeping in an 80 degree room. lol I live in a one bedroom apartment so my bedroom is my only option. Thanks for the suggestion though.

[nickdolin]

True, I'd sweat to death if I had to sleep in an 80F room. Is there anyway you can help the warm air move to the cool side?

For example.

I have my corn snake in a 10G tank. Glass SUCKS at keeping in heat or humidity but since Corns have lower heat/humidity requirements I'll keep my BP in the Sterilite. Anyway, I have a UTH on the right side of my corn's Viv. His tank is covered by a mesh top. So what I do is place books/objects on the right side. So, in theory, if the heat wants to escape, it'll have to pass through the tank to the opening on the left side. It helps 1-2F but not much more than that.