Newbie thinking about getting a BP (this one actually)

[Nimitz87]

Hi My name is Chad and on a local car site a guy is selling his female BP that is roughly 2 years old including a tank (30"x12") heat lamp, hides, water dish, etc. I plan on getting a heating pad and CHE as soon as possibly as well as dual probe thermometer/humidity gauges and definitely have done my homework.

I live in Florida (10 mins east of the Everglades) and its pretty damn humid here so I'm not too concerned with the glass enclosure and I plan on covering all the sides but the front as well house stays around 78 degrees ambient.

I have a question about how to mount the gauge inside the cage one probe will go on the heat mat side, the other on the cool side but where do I mount the actual unit inside the cage safely?

another question that I haven't seen addressed is I sleep with a fan on is this a problem if the temp/humidity is kept in check? the BP would be kept in my room obviously.

thanks guys can't wait to bring her home soon.


oh the snake is roughly 44" long here are 2 pictures how do you guys think she looks? the bottom picture shes about a year old.






Chad

[JLC]

I plan on getting a heating pad and CHE as soon as possibly as well as dual probe thermometer/humidity gauges and definitely have done my homework.

I live in Florida (10 mins east of the Everglades) and its pretty damn humid here so I'm not too concerned with the glass enclosure and I plan on covering all the sides but the front as well house stays around 78 degrees ambient.

If your house stays around 78 ambient, you really don't need both a heating pad and a CHE. If you want to keep a thick layer of substrate, then the CHE is probably your best choice for creating a warm spot. If you want to lay down paper or a thin layer of aspen, then a heating pad is best. They only need the substrate to absorb waste...it's not a "comfort thing" for them...except that sometimes they really enjoy hiding under paper.

ANYhow...

I have a question about how to mount the gauge inside the cage one probe will go on the heat mat side, the other on the cool side but where do I mount the actual unit inside the cage safely?

If you have a unit that has two probes...then just place the probes as you say, and mount the unit on the outside of the enclosure. For most of them, though, the unit itself is the "probe" for the cool-side temps and humidity. In that case....run the probe under the substrate to the warm side...and simply place the unit in a corner of the cool side of the tank. I just lean mine up against the side, facing out. Yeah, they can knock it down, so sometimes you have to pick it up to look at it...but that's much safer than risking them getting tangled in tape or other mounting sticky stuff. (And I have had one peed on so copiously that it shorted out and had to be replaced...LOL...but still, worth the risk of a tape-free environment)

another question that I haven't seen addressed is I sleep with a fan on is this a problem if the temp/humidity is kept in check? the BP would be kept in my room obviously.

Hard to say without actually seeing the room and set-up. Can the tank be kept away from the direct blow of the fan? Is it a ceiling fan? Moderate air circulation won't hurt at all...but a hard blowing fan directly on the enclosure may make it difficult to keep temps and/or humidity steady. You might be able to counter this by simply draping a towel or something across the top of the screen.

thanks guys can't wait to bring her home soon.

oh the snake is roughly 44" long here are 2 pictures how do you guys think she looks? the bottom picture shes about a year old.
Chad

She's a beauty!! Welcome to BP.net! I hope you stick around after you get her!

[Nimitz87]

If your house stays around 78 ambient, you really don't need both a heating pad and a CHE. If you want to keep a thick layer of substrate, then the CHE is probably your best choice for creating a warm spot. If you want to lay down paper or a thin layer of aspen, then a heating pad is best. They only need the substrate to absorb waste...it's not a "comfort thing" for them...except that sometimes they really enjoy hiding under paper.

ANYhow...



If you have a unit that has two probes...then just place the probes as you say, and mount the unit on the outside of the enclosure. For most of them, though, the unit itself is the "probe" for the cool-side temps and humidity. In that case....run the probe under the substrate to the warm side...and simply place the unit in a corner of the cool side of the tank. I just lean mine up against the side, facing out. Yeah, they can knock it down, so sometimes you have to pick it up to look at it...but that's much safer than risking them getting tangled in tape or other mounting sticky stuff. (And I have had one peed on so copiously that it shorted out and had to be replaced...LOL...but still, worth the risk of a tape-free environment)


Hard to say without actually seeing the room and set-up. Can the tank be kept away from the direct blow of the fan? Is it a ceiling fan? Moderate air circulation won't hurt at all...but a hard blowing fan directly on the enclosure may make it difficult to keep temps and/or humidity steady. You might be able to counter this by simply draping a towel or something across the top of the screen.



She's a beauty!! Welcome to BP.net! I hope you stick around after you get her!

Thanks Judy I have found out that "she" isn't a she or at least not known the snake has never been probed or popped (I think those are the right terms lol)

so the CHE will be fine then on one side that simplifies things nicely. For that size aquarium is a 100 watt CHE in a 5" dome adequate or should I get a 10" dome?
I planned on keeping aspen substrate as that is what the snake has always been use to newspaper with some aspen on top

I was worried about mounting the unit inside was reading too many horror stories about that...guess I'll stick to the outside then. maybe I'll get 2 single probe units to have temps of both sides without having anything inside the cage.

about the Fan I thought so...I'll have to work something out and just monitor the conditions the towel is a good idea I had read about using aluminum foil on top of the screen to keep humidity/heat in.


Thanks I'm excited if you can't tell!

Chad

[snakecharmer3638]

Hi Chad!!

One thing that has not been mentioned is the need for a thermostat or dimmer switch to control the heat pad. You will need one or the other so that your under tank heater does not get to hot.

Welcome to the addiction.....

[Nimitz87]

Hi Chad!!

One thing that has not been mentioned is the need for a thermostat or dimmer switch to control the heat pad. You will need one or the other so that your under tank heater does not get to hot.

Welcome to the addiction.....

yes sorry I didn't mention it. I plan on keeping the hot side around 90ish and the cool side around 78-80 ish (basically ambient) that should be okay right?

humidity 50-60% normal and 70+ during a shed sound right?

anything you need to do specially when transporting a snake in a car?

oh and @ 2 years old is it going to get much bigger?

Chad

[snakecharmer3638]

yes sorry I didn't mention it. I plan on keeping the hot side around 90ish and the cool side around 78-80 ish (basically ambient) that should be okay right?

humidity 50-60% normal and 70+ during a shed sound right?

anything you need to do specially when transporting a snake in a car?

oh and @ 2 years old is it going to get much bigger?

Chad

Your temp and humidity plans sound perfect.

As for transport I would use a snake bag or pillow case, tied off for security. *Note* If you are using a pillow case make sure it has a low thread count, Basically one that you can almost see through. And since you are in Florida you shouldn't have to worry to much about the temp.

Growth - At two years old He/She still could grow some.

[Nimitz87]

Your temp and humidity plans sound perfect.

As for transport I would use a snake bag or pillow case, tied off for security. *Note* If you are using a pillow case make sure it has a low thread count, Basically one that you can almost see through. And since you are in Florida you shouldn't have to worry to much about the temp.

Growth - At two years old He/She still could grow some.

I forgot to say that its a 4 hour car ride I was thinking a small tub why the bag/pillow case, just curious.

is it a good idea/practice to let the snake outside (supervised of course) once its acclimated to me and its new home? I figured it would love to be outdoors at times.

oh and should I go for the 5" or 10" dome? and does using a CHE or bulb change that?

Chad

[snakecharmer3638]

I forgot to say that its a 4 hour car ride I was thinking a small tub why the bag/pillow case, just curious.

is it a good idea/practice to let the snake outside (supervised of course) once its acclimated to me and its new home? I figured it would love to be outdoors at times.

Chad

I use a pillow case to help the snake feel more secure. for a long ride like that you could put the snake in the bag and then in the tub. (Make sure the tub has holes to allow for air, of course). And if you are using a bag you could even leave the tub lid off. As long as the bag is tied securely. Also if you are going to have the AC cranked up you could buy some of those little hand warmers at Walmart. Just put them under the tub for the ride home.

I don't think BP's really enjoy the outdoors, during day time hours anyways. I do take mine out for pictures. But not for their enjoyment.

[JLC]

For the ride home...secure in a snake bag or pillow case (turn pillowcase inside out so snake doesn't tangle in seam threads...also check the corners and make sure they are SECURE...snakes can find the smallest weakness and tear it open for an escape)...then place the bag in as small a tub/box as you can...put some towels for padding around the empty spaces. A secure lid on a tub will help prevent escape if it should make it out of the bag.

Place the tub/box in a secure spot in the car, away from AC drafts and away from direct sunlight through the windows. On the floor in the back seat is usually a good option. Maybe set some stuff around it to keep it from sliding and bumping around.

Once you get it in the car...don't stop until you get home. Do a drive-thru if you want to eat something. Keep a bathroom break VERY short. Just a few minutes in a hot car can kill her. If you have someone riding with you, then it's a good idea to leave the car running and take turns going to the restroom.

Mostly it's just all common sense stuff.

As for the size of the dome....that depends on the size of your tank, I would think. A big dome will overheat a small tank...a small dome may not help much in a large tank.

[Evilme5229]

Hi Chad,
I live in WPB, FL. I have my babies in a rack system. Every few in a plastic tub with a heat pad, water dish, and hide box. Everyone is happy. A lot of ppl up north have to worry a lot more about heating, etc. so they need a lot of equipment to make sure their enclosure is up to par.

Down here, we are pretty good on environment. I had a tank for awhile, wasn't for me because its harder to regulate. Good luck. :-)