help me buy equipment please.

[boomer]

I am wanting to start a BP setup my friend has one and it looks pretty cool. i was wondering if you all could help me set up my tank ive been reading and this is what ive came up with so far.
10 tank w/ screen top
UTH heater
Lamp w/red bulb
2 hiding spots
some decor
drinking,bathing spot
2 thermamtors w/..humidifier..??

is that all i really need and the snake is a Baby BP for 60 at my local store.
and i was wondering if someone had some time on thier hands could you go through petsmart and tell me the exact things i need for my tank besides the tank and screen top. i want to place an order but i dont want to miss anything or order the wrong things. so if anyone could help me out id appericate it.

[tmlowe5704]

I am wanting to start a BP setup my friend has one and it looks pretty cool. i was wondering if you all could help me set up my tank ive been reading and this is what ive came up with so far.
10 tank w/ screen top
UTH heater
Lamp w/red bulb
2 hiding spots
some decor
drinking,bathing spot
2 thermamtors w/..humidifier..??

is that all i really need and the snake is a Baby BP for 60 at my local store.
and i was wondering if someone had some time on thier hands could you go through petsmart and tell me the exact things i need for my tank besides the tank and screen top. i want to place an order but i dont want to miss anything or order the wrong things. so if anyone could help me out id appericate it.

First, order online. You will get better service and prices, plus more than likely you will get a sales rep that is not going to BS you. For the UTH, get a foot of flexwatt pre-wired. It is tons cheaper than other UTH and is thin as can be. Second, what are the temps where the snake will be kept? A red bulb may not be necessary. For hides, check wal-mart for plastic flower pots. Melt a few holes in them with a soldering gun or hot nail. While you are there, pick up an Accurite thermometer/hygrometer. They come with a probe so you only need one. Also, you will want something to regulate the heaters. A thermostat is the best way to do so, but on a budget, a dimmer can be used.

[Mezclado_Reps]

Make sure the store you are getting your BP breeds their own or gets from a captive bred wholesaler. If this is a chain store, I would pass and get a CB baby. If this is your first snake the last thing you need is a import/captive hatched.
Everything looks good. You can go with one digital thermometer/hydrometer with probe [hygrometer? also get those mixed up!] A temp gun is also a good idea.
Also, a 10gallon is fine. but you could go with it's adult tank and just section it off so he can grow into it. Usually much cheaper than gradually buying 2-3 different tanks. Clips are also a good idea.
the lamp with red bulb is not necessary, I assume you want it for night-time viewing? Just make sure to use a very low wattage bulb so most of his heat is coming from the UTH. which you can use store-bought or flexwatt.

[boomer]

thanks for the help. so i really dont need a lamp just the UTH or flexwire for heat.

[tmlowe5704]

Depends, what are the temps in the room? If it is cold, a second heat source may be needed to raise the ambient temps.

[boomer]

oh ok. 1 more question can newspapers be used and if so will it get to hot with the UTH. and how easy is it to clean the other stuff in the brick form.

[boomer]

is this about everything i need for my setup?

Bed-A-Beast Litter
item: 500677 *
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In Stock $4.99 $4.99


Exo-Terra Hiding Cave med. Medium
item: 501881 *
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Limited Quantities $3.50 $3.50


Repti-Therm Under Tank Heater - 10-20 gallon 10-20 gallon
item: 500512 *
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In Stock $13.99 $13.99


Exo-Terra Hiding Cave med. Medium
item: 501881 *
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Limited Quantities $3.50 $3.50


Water/Feeding Dish for Reptiles - Medium (9" L x 6" W x 1 1/4" H) Medium (9"Lx6"Wx1.25" H)
item: 605828 *
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In Stock $9.99 $9.99


Terrarium Liner 10 gal.
item: 503376 *
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Limited Quantities $3.69 $7.38


Repti Temp
item: 501329 *
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In Stock $39.99 $39.99

[Grim91Z]

Is it a glass tank? You're gonna have a hard time keepin humidity up (trust me, been there done that). I'd settle for a 15 quart sterilite tub for a baby (it's what I use for my hatchlings). Then one a little bigger when it gets older. Just solder a couple rows of holes about 2 inches apart along the top portion of the tub, and then some on the lid too if necessary. You can find tubs with latches to lock the lid, and they're usually under 5 bucks. That along with some heattape, a homemade dimmer, and the aforementioned Accu-rite dual thermometer will be a good start. The get some cheap hides and dishes (5 dollars for each appropriately sized hide and a couple bucks for a small dish, and they look "natural"). I like to use aspen or cypress mulch bedding but paper towels or newsprint can work just as well.

[jeffjr464]

i understand the ease of use of the tubs, theres alot of posts about them, but really how visually appealing is a plastic tote?

[frankykeno]

Actually Jeff if you go with Iris brand, rather than Sterlite or Rubbermaid, you can buy a basically glass quality clear tote so you get the benefits and ease of plastic but still a very clear and nice view of your snake. Iris aren't as easy to find but can be ordered online or generally found at OfficeMax/Office Depot type stores. Here's a picture of both types as examples....

Sterlite brand....


Iris brand....


Iris is not only a lot closer to glass quality but the insides are smooth so you aren't having that wonderful experience of trying to pick a dried urate out of a ridge in the floor of the tub LOL.

Boomer, you can save a ton of cash on the startup and put that towards getting a well started captive born baby rather than a unknown pet store one.

For a ten gallon unless your house is heavily air conditioned a decent UTH or flexwatt should easily give you the temps and temp gradient your snake needs. Put on your list mesh lid clips...black metal...found at most any pet store for about $3.00 a pair (they are graded by tank size so look for the 10 gallon ones). As for substrate, with any baby I'd go with layers plain white paper towels so that's about a buck or two at most. For hides, because you baby will outgrow them at regularily as it grows I'd just use something like this...



Small cereal bowl type thing, plastic, easy to clean, dark, the snakes love em...3 for a dollar at the dollar store.

For a dish again your choice but an expensive one isn't always the best choice. Some of the pet store ones are a total pain to keep clean. Standing water in a warm, humid place like a bp home tends to grow nasties so a bowl that's heavy so it can't be tipped over, yet easy to sterlize is a great thing. For this we use various sizes of white ceramic ramekins, found in any department store or dollar store. The ones I get are I think 4 for $6.00...



As far as the 10 gallon itself unless they are on sale at the pet store I'd check out a few garage sales. They are usually easily found for a dollar or two. If it doesn't have one do buy a really good mesh lid and those clips of course.

Another handy thing to have is a place to put your snake while you clean it's home or have to take it to the vet. These are found almost anywhere, have secure lids and a carry handle, come in a variety of sizes...this particular one pictured (it's the smaller one) was $2.00 at the dollar store....



Lastly an Acu-Rite from Walmart (similar sold at Lowe's and Home Depot but under different brand names)...about $12.00 or less plus the cost of one AAA battery...absolutely invaluable to monitor temps and humidity and way more accurate than anything I've seen come out of a pet store for a LOT less cash....



So basically my list would be....

Used 10 gallon tank - $1.00 (new about $10.00)
Lid (assuming it didn't come with one) - $10.00
Clips for Lid - $2.00
2 Bowl Hides - $1.00
Paper Towels - $1.00
Transport Tub - $2.00
Acu-Rite - $12.00
Battery for it - $1.00
Water Dish - $1.50

Total of - $31.50 plus your choice of UTH and you are good to go.