Getting fist BP check my checklist, please

[Smooth23]

Okay, so I'm buying myself my first little ball this wednesday. He's small, still fits in the palm of my hand, absofreakinglutely adorable.. Just wanted to check with you guys about what I'm getting.(plan to buy and set up cage monday before snakey cometh).
Here's the list.
20 gallon long repti cage aquarium(sliding, locking top)
Heat lamp
2 hide boxxes.
Water bowl
substrate.. going with aspen I think.
thermometer(gonna try and find the acu-tru[?] digital thermo/hydrometer)
frozen pinkies(?whatever the petstore has been feeding him, rat pinkies methinkies)
Also want something for him to shed/climb on.. any suggestions for a cage this size?

Anything else im missing?
And could I instead of a heat lamp, get a undercage mat only, or do I really need both or what? Thats the only thing im paranoid about is keeping the temperature correct.. want to give my guy a good home ya know.

[jglass38]

Okay, so I'm buying myself my first little ball this wednesday. He's small, still fits in the palm of my hand, absofreakinglutely adorable.. Just wanted to check with you guys about what I'm getting.(plan to buy and set up cage monday before snakey cometh).
Here's the list.
20 gallon long repti cage aquarium(sliding, locking top)
Heat lamp
2 hide boxxes.
Water bowl
substrate.. going with aspen I think.
thermometer(gonna try and find the acu-tru[?] digital thermo/hydrometer)
frozen pinkies(?whatever the petstore has been feeding him, rat pinkies methinkies)
Also want something for him to shed/climb on.. any suggestions for a cage this size?

Anything else im missing?
And could I instead of a heat lamp, get a undercage mat only, or do I really need both or what? Thats the only thing im paranoid about is keeping the temperature correct.. want to give my guy a good home ya know.

Congrats on the new BP and on your awesome preparation! I used a 20L for my first BP and while it worked fine, he ate better, shed better and did better in a Rubbermaid/Sterilite type container. I can definitely understand the glass tank though because it does display your snake much better. First off, I would skip the heat lamp unless the room where the snake will be is unusually cold. If it is room temp (74-79) then a UTH should work fine for you. Make sure you purchase a rheostat (dimmer) or preferably a thermostat to control the temps. You want to shoot for 80-84 on the cool side and 90-94 on the warm side. Aspen will work great as a substrate for your little one. You should have no trouble finding an Accurite at either Walmart or Kmart. As far as climbing, most pet stores carry pieces of driftwood. Something like that would work fine. If you plan to use any branches from outside, make sure you bake them in the oven first to kill off any nasties. Best of luck and we can't wait to see the new guy/girl.

Jamie

[Shelby]

Welcome!

Only thing I'll add here is that if you want to go with a glass tank, I'd buy a 10 gallon instead. A 20 is very big for a baby ball and it can be stressful for them and they can be harder to get feeding.

Even with the 10 I'd throw a couple of extra hide boxes in there and if you like decorating, get some of those fake vine things and drape them around. They will help to add cover for the baby and make him/her feel more secure.

[jglass38]

Welcome!

Only thing I'll add here is that if you want to go with a glass tank, I'd buy a 10 gallon instead. A 20 is very big for a baby ball and it can be stressful for them and they can be harder to get feeding.

Even with the 10 I'd throw a couple of extra hide boxes in there and if you like decorating, get some of those fake vine things and drape them around. They will help to add cover for the baby and make him/her feel more secure.

Excellent point April! Now that I think back, I had very little BP knowledge when I got my first snake and I assumed that more space meant a happier snake. A 10gal is a way better choice for a baby, although if the 20gal has already been purchased, it can work with enough hides.

[Smooth23]

Got to thinking of hide ideas for the new guy last night, seeing as I am planning on going ahead with the 20L (I do have a 10 gal aquarium already, but no sturdy lid.). Is there any reason not to use items like paper towel rolls for extra hides? Excuse my ignorance, but how does an UTH work, does the pad go all the way under the tank with one side cooler than the other, or only under half the tank?

[jglass38]

Got to thinking of hide ideas for the new guy last night, seeing as I am planning on going ahead with the 20L (I do have a 10 gal aquarium already, but no sturdy lid.). Is there any reason not to use items like paper towel rolls for extra hides? Excuse my ignorance, but how does an UTH work, does the pad go all the way under the tank with one side cooler than the other, or only under half the tank?

There is no reason at all not to use anything that is safe and sanitary as a hide. Cereal boxes, tupperware, clay or plastic flower pots/lids. Keep in mind that Balls like small hides where they touch all sides when curled up. As far as the UTH you would stick it or tape it (with foil tape) to the underside of the tank covering about 1/3 of the area. Hope this helps!

Jamie