Really cold house + travel?

[lilythebillygoat]

Hi everyone, I'm planning to get my first bp in about a month, but we just moved into our new flat and it is an old place with not much insulation and not the best radiators... It's in a block flats so I'm hoping it won't be too cold but I fear that the ambient room temp will be too cold to keep a bp's cool side warm enough. I would like to get a tub set up rather than a viv for a few reasons - how can I use a tub and get the temps right?

For reference I live in London where it can reach temperatures like -2 degrees celsius. Obviously it won't be this cold inside my room and I will have heating but it might still be chilly without us going bankrupt over the heating bills...

At a reptile shop I was told to have the tub insulated in another structure like a wooden cabinet/viv/smth but this sound like a lot of hassle - would it work if I have two uth's with different thermostats or something to keep the warm/cool sides at the right temps?

Another quick question - a couple times each year I will be going to stay in another (thankfully warmer) house for about a month each time. What would be the best way to bring my bp with me and could I have another tub waiting for me there and just bring the heating equipment etc with me to save me from buying double/ transporting the whole tub? if anyone else has a similar situation I would be so grateful to hear what kind of thing works for you!

Very excited to join the world of ball pythons...

[bcr229]

What length/width/height tub are you planning on using?

[lilythebillygoat]

I'll be getting a baby so was thinking a 12 litre RUB but I'm in this flat for at least 2 years so will size up while here! The 12L RUBS are 27x46.5x15cm

[bcr229]

I would use two heat mats (so two thermostats), one set around 83*F, the other around 92*F (you can convert to celcius). Covering the rub with a baby blanket or bath towel also helps it retain some heat.

Also can you heat just the room your ball python is in, maybe keep it in a bedroom?

[lilythebillygoat]

I thought that might work! Thanks so much for the advice, I will try the blanket too.

I'll have the room heated as much as possible but can't have the heating on all day as our radiators aren't efficient! But will do as much as I can afford :-)

Any ideas on the travel situation?