Another bp set up question....

[robert7107]

Sorry didn't really did get the answers I was looking for through other postings. With that being said

I am looking to get a ball Python soon but want to have everything set up an ready before I even order it. Buying from bhb reptiles btw an plan to make it a breeding project in future..

So I was looking to getting a Rubbermaid tub to house bp then move up in tub size as it out grows first tub then to a permanent cage which I am thinking will be within 8 months or so. Looking at boaphileplastic rhinoraxx 4 drawer tub set up... wanting too put tub in reptile tank 20 gallon or so with lid an covering 75 % of screen top to keep heat in. Using a zoo-med brand heat pad under one side of tank ..
Reason for reptile tank is too keep my cats out of it not thinking they will kill snake but bother it an stress it out...

So anyone else have a better idea?
Also...
Can someone Recommended a heat control for pad? I have a helix control system with probe but not sure if it'll work in reptile tank with glass an like I said this is only going to be temporary for about 8 months until I can put the snake in permanent fixture which I won't be able afford until then. I have an infrared heat gun to monitor the temperature because the analog kind that stick on the tanks are garbage. I live in an area where it gets in the upper nineties I do run my AC when not at home I keep it around 82 when I'm home I drop it down to 77 but I would not be putting the tank in a draft area anyway if somebody could give me a few ideas or Solutions I greatly appreciate it thank you



Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[Scottywelsh]

I've read your post a couple of times. Don't know if I'm reading it wrong or something but I not sure if I'm getting it right, but I'll say this anyway.
Your looking to buy a tub and keep it in a tank and then move it from there to a snake rack ?
If you can't afford the rack yet then why not wait a little and get the setup you want before getting the snake?
If you don't want to wait then how about putting a tub in a wooden viv. Holds heat well and has vents so no need to mess about seeing how much of the screen you need to cover and what not. You can put the heat mat in the wooden viv and then the tub on top of it (or lifted off it a little if you want to). . Any thermostat will work as long as the probe is on top of the heat mat or between the heat mat and glass tank and not inside the tub. Although the probe can be inside the glass tank and underneath the tub since there's no snake in the glass tank to move it about in your case.
I would recommend using a digital thermometer as well as the infrared gun to have a constant temp reading of the hot side. Makes life easier.
As for temps a good thermostat will keep the temps in the tub pretty good as long as your room doesn't get to warm of corse.

[robert7107]

I've read your post a couple of times. Don't know if I'm reading it wrong or something but I not sure if I'm getting it right, but I'll say this anyway.
Your looking to buy a tub and keep it in a tank and then move it from there to a snake rack ?
If you can't afford the rack yet then why not wait a little and get the setup you want before getting the snake?
If you don't want to wait then how about putting a tub in a wooden viv. Holds heat well and has vents so no need to mess about seeing how much of the screen you need to cover and what not. You can put the heat mat in the wooden viv and then the tub on top of it (or lifted off it a little if you want to). . Any thermostat will work as long as the probe is on top of the heat mat or between the heat mat and glass tank and not inside the tub. Although the probe can be inside the glass tank and underneath the tub since there's no snake in the glass tank to move it about in your case.
I would recommend using a digital thermometer as well as the infrared gun to have a constant temp reading of the hot side. Makes life easier.
As for temps a good thermostat will keep the temps in the tub pretty good as long as your room doesn't get to warm of corse.

Wooden vivarium is what I assume you mean any recommendations on where to get one I can't afford the rack system right now so I just want to start off with one ball python and then go from there the rack system I want to get this over five hundred bucks unless you have another suggestion

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[Stewart_Reptiles]

If you plan on a stand alone tub setup right now you can purchase a UTH (ulttratherm are the best, sturdy and long lasting) and T-Stat at reptile basicshttp://www.reptilebasics.com/, also check out their racks, Rich is top notch , Boaphile might have a good product however the lead time and lack of customer service is a big issue.

Another great rack manufacturer with short lead time Chris at C-Serpents http://cserpents.com/C_Serpents_Hot_...K_SYSTEMS.html

Also check out Animal Plastics for PVC cages http://www.apcages.com/home/

[Scottywelsh]

I can't recommend where to get a wooden viv as I'm in the UK but I got 3 online. I got vivexotic repti homes and to be fair considering how cheap they are there really good and flat packed so shipping is cheap.
As for a rack I built mine using an ikea wardrobe. Only using half of it for snakes and the other half for their storage and there's 8 bps in there. So plenty of room for whatever you want to put in there.. cost me about £100 in total. . . Well, except for thermostats.

[chrid16371]

You have a helix dbs thermostat correct? You can use that thermostat on a glass tank. You sandwich the helix probe between the glass and uth and set it until the temp is no higher than 94 on the inside of tank on top of glass. If your only going to use the 20g tank to set the tub in then just put the uth on the tub with the thermostat probe sandwiched between and set so the inside of the tub under the substrate is no hotter than 94. Being your house is 77-82 that is perfect ambient for bps so you don't need to retain heat in anyways.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

[robert7107]

You have a helix dbs thermostat correct? You can use that thermostat on a glass tank. You sandwich the helix probe between the glass and uth and set it until the temp is no higher than 94 on the inside of tank on top of glass. If your only going to use the 20g tank to set the tub in then just put the uth on the tub with the thermostat probe sandwiched between and set so the inside of the tub under the substrate is no hotter than 94. Being your house is 77-82 that is perfect ambient for bps so you don't need to retain heat in anyways.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

OK. So put heat pad on the tub . Then tub in tank with helix probe between uth an tub,correct?

this is only a temporary situation. I am not sure how many bp i will own and don't want to a buy a rack system and be the wrong one although I looked at what people suggested and still prefer the rhino raxx but not ready to spend $500 + yet.
Thanks .

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[chrid16371]

OK. So put heat pad on the tub . Then tub in tank with helix probe between uth an tub,correct?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Yes exactly. If you get the zoomed or other uth that has an adhesive side that sticks to the tub/enclosure and you have to move it to a different or bigger tub/enclosure you can foil tape it to the new enclosure so it doesn't peal off from the adhesive wearing out. If you buy a uth that doesn't have the adhesive side you can either foil tape it to the surface your setting the tub on or foil tape it directly to the tub.

Idk if you have bought a thermometer/hygrometer yet I recommend ordering the acurite 00891 from amazon. It has a probe for the hot side temp and then you can place the unit on the cool side for cool temp and humidity. It is very accurate and I highly recommend it for the safety of your snake. They are only $12 plus shipping on amazon, you could order all your supplies off amazon and get free shipping. Thermometers/hygrometers labeled for reptiles are usually inaccurate so I recommend you stay away from any labeled for reptiles.

I will also recommend the reptile basics hides, if your getting a young snake buy the mediums bc the smalls are tiny. Buy 2 if there's room in the tub for one hot side and one for cool, if not one for hot will be ok. If you decide to buy these hides I would also recommend you get the ultratherm uth. Whatever uth you decide to buy make sure it will cover about 1/3 of the tub.

If you or someone you know is handy and don't want to spend $500+ you can easily build your own rack from half inch PVC, you should be able to find some at home depot or something.


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

[robert7107]

I have a infered heat gun too check temp...

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[chrid16371]

I have a infered heat gun too check temp...

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Ok that's good but only 1? Imo You should have multiple temperature devices to test against each other to make sure they are accurate. Plus the acurite 00891 can give you all your readings at a glance. You have to check the temp under the substrate on top of tub floor over the uth to make sure it doesn't get above 94 and with just a temp gun you will have to dig under the substrate every time where if you had the thermometer/hygrometer I was talking about you can just look and know it's ok. You should still check with the temp gun to make sure but not as often since you would already have a device monitoring the temp under the substrate. Temp guns are great which is why I have 3 to compare to one another but the acurite is awesome as well and is why I own 11 of them.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk