Changing habitats

[baller29]

Boy, I wish I found this helpful site before I purchased my ball.lol. I did a little research before I got her and it never said anything about how hard it was to heat a glass vivarium. Okay, heres the deal. I bought my ball a glass setup when I got her. Even though I spent a crapload of money on it and the stuff to go in it and it looks good, I have a few questions. I want to set her up in a tub because ive read that this is easier to maintain proper temperatures and im worried about her well being. Right now im having temperature problems(hotspot too hot or too cold because of temperature variants on the outside of the glass.) Anyone have any ideas on the best type of tub setup I could use, also the Zoomeds UTH I use says it cannot be used on plastic on the instructions, can an undertank heater even be used on a plastic tub or would it be a fire hazard, its on a thermostat so I would imagine it wouldnt be too hot if I turned it down, but I figured Ill just ask first. And last, I was wondering if any diseases could be transfered from the glass vivarium to any other reptile (not sure yet) that I decide to put in it after I move her out of her old home. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Boy, I wish I found this helpful site before I purchased my ball.lol. I did a little research before I got her and it never said anything about how hard it was to heat a glass vivarium. Okay, heres the deal. I bought my ball a glass setup when I got her. Even though I spent a crapload of money on it and the stuff to go in it and it looks good, I have a few questions. I want to set her up in a tub because ive read that this is easier to maintain proper temperatures and im worried about her well being. Right now im having temperature problems(hotspot too hot or too cold because of temperature variants on the outside of the glass.) Anyone have any ideas on the best type of tub setup I could use, also the Zoomeds UTH I use says it cannot be used on plastic on the instructions, can an undertank heater even be used on a plastic tub or would it be a fire hazard, its on a thermostat so I would imagine it wouldnt be too hot if I turned it down, but I figured Ill just ask first. And last, I was wondering if any diseases could be transfered from the glass vivarium to any other reptile (not sure yet) that I decide to put in it after I move her out of her old home. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks

You can use a UTH on anything. You just need to control and regulate it with a thermostat. Like a herpstat or herpstat. Its as simple as a sterilite or rubbermaid tub with a few holes drilled in it. A good latching lid. Not the ones where the lid just barely clips down. A UTH big enough to cover 1/3 the bottom (one side). Most people donr adhere the UTH to a tub but rather just let it lay on the table or shelf and put the tub on it. Shouldnt be a fire hazard as long as you use a good therm with the probe directly on the UTH.

Be sure to disinfect the aquarium with bleach and water to kill anything. Always quaranteen new animals for a few months in a different area to be sure they are healthy if you get something else to go in the tank.

[CoolioTiffany]

Boy, I wish I found this helpful site before I purchased my ball.lol. I did a little research before I got her and it never said anything about how hard it was to heat a glass vivarium. Okay, heres the deal. I bought my ball a glass setup when I got her. Even though I spent a crapload of money on it and the stuff to go in it and it looks good, I have a few questions. I want to set her up in a tub because ive read that this is easier to maintain proper temperatures and im worried about her well being. Right now im having temperature problems(hotspot too hot or too cold because of temperature variants on the outside of the glass.) Anyone have any ideas on the best type of tub setup I could use, also the Zoomeds UTH I use says it cannot be used on plastic on the instructions, can an undertank heater even be used on a plastic tub or would it be a fire hazard, its on a thermostat so I would imagine it wouldnt be too hot if I turned it down, but I figured Ill just ask first. And last, I was wondering if any diseases could be transfered from the glass vivarium to any other reptile (not sure yet) that I decide to put in it after I move her out of her old home. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks

For tub sizes, it really depends how large your BP is. My two youngest BPs are in 12qt. tubs, and my two Bloods are in 15qt. tubs. My oldest BP is in a 41qt and the second oldest is in a 32qt. (which should last them their entire lives).

You can find tubs at Walmart or Target for pretty cheap. I'd also recommend the ones that don't just snap shut, I recommend the ones with those hinges that come over the lid to keep it shut.

ZooMed UTHs will not burn the plastic unless kept at temps pretty high. I use the ZooMed UTHs on my tubs and everything's been fine.

Please remind yourself to get a thermostat! UTHs can get incredibly hot and cause overheating or severe burns on your snake. The cheapest thermostat has two outlets but works pretty well, you can buy it here http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=75

Please get the thermostat and set up the whole tub BEFORE you put your snake in it so you get your temps right. Also remember to purchase a digital thermometer from Petsmart or Petco to measure the temps. The probe should be placed on the bottom of the tub right above (near the center) of the UTH.

Holes will be needed in the tub, so get a drill or soldering iron to put holes in the tub. Hot glue guns work fine, but are kind of messy.

Good luck with the tub setup!

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Its possible to make the aquarium work but it is a little more work. Its recommended to cover most of the screen top with something. Foil, plexiglass, etc.. Its better to use a ceramic heat emitter in a lamp then a heat bulb. They last up to 3 years, put out alot of heat and no light. They also do not wick out humidity as bad. A humid hid can be used to compensate for low humidity. You can also insulate the sides and back with thin styrofoam insulation. Painted a dark color. This will also help the BP feel more secure. There are a few ways to do it but it can be done. You can also go to a big reptile show and look for an enclosed reptile cage. Like a boaphile type cage. A friend picked one up at NARBC for extremely cheap and they work excellent as a display cage as well as holding heat and humidity very well. Any enclosed cage with plexiglass or glass door.

These are some other options for you. All mine are kept in tubs in rack systems and boaphile cages.

[baller29]

Right now im up in the air to make the glass one work, or go to a tub system, I do use a thermostat and a acurite thermometer with a probe but it seems as if im constantly turning the thermostat up or down all day, Im away for 14 hrs a day at my job so its kinda hard to be here all the time, Im thinking about an a/c unit for my bedroom, because the outside air temps fluctuate so radically during the day. Maybe one of the digital ones I can set it to a certain temp during the day and just dont run it at night because the temps are fine in the evening. Its been an ongoing nightmare to try to get this thing right but im still trying. Thanks for the great ideas guys

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Right now im up in the air to make the glass one work, or go to a tub system, I do use a thermostat and a acurite thermometer with a probe but it seems as if im constantly turning the thermostat up or down all day, Im away for 14 hrs a day at my job so its kinda hard to be here all the time, Im thinking about an a/c unit for my bedroom, because the outside air temps fluctuate so radically during the day. Maybe one of the digital ones I can set it to a certain temp during the day and just dont run it at night because the temps are fine in the evening. Its been an ongoing nightmare to try to get this thing right but im still trying. Thanks for the great ideas guys

You may benefit from a proportional thermostat and some insulation. Glass does not hold heat very well at all. It causes temps to fluctuate bad. The helix and the herpstat thermostats are proportionate. This mean they do not turn the UTH on and off to regulate temps. They instead work like a dimmer. Lowering or increasing the amount of power going to the UTH. This not only helps to keep temps as stable as possible but its also believed that your UTH will last longer. Without having the stress of being constantly turned on and off.

If you do want to make the tank work you will need to insulate 3 sides. Any hardware store or big stores like home depot will have thin styrofoam sheets. Cut 3 pieces to size. Paint them to look like rock or whatever you want to look naturalistic. Use a strong tape or adhesive which will not eat through the insulation to adhere it to the back and sides.

If you use a good substrate of at least a couple inches this also helps to hold heat. Cover the top completely except an inch or two circle around the lamp (if you use one).

If you cant get it right then a tub may be best. Plastic is a much better insulator. Snakes do not need very many ventilation holes so do not put more than a few until you can be sure what your humidity will stay at. They sell tubs that are almost as clear as glass so you can make it look good as well.