Getting my BP, is this setup OK?

[Nick]

I am going to get my BP soon hopefully but I really want to setup everything first so i when i get him everything will be already setup and running. so i want you guys to check over everything to make sure im not forgettin anything.

Sterilite 66 Quart Latch Box


Accurite Thermometer
Thermostat( do i need a digital one??)
UTH
2 hides
a branch or something for him to climb on
and a water bowl

Please feel free to give another info and suggestions please...

[nevohraalnavnoj]

Hi Nick, if you are getting a hatchling BP that enclosure my be a bit too spacious for him. If he's an adult it could work.

JonV

[Argentra]

I agree, that tub is way to tall for a young BP but for an adult it could work.

Also, digital readout thermostats are better because you can set the temp and fix it there. Dial types are still better than rheostats and dimmers, but you have to have a reliable thermometer to read the temps so you can tweak them properly.
A Johnson or Ranco, or even a Herpstat, would be highly recommended.

Otherwise it sounds ok. Remember to get everything and have the enclosure set up and running a few days first to iron out kinks BEFORE you get your snake.

[Nick]

no its a hatchling about 70g wat size would u recommend?

[Argentra]

12qt tub.

[Nick]

ok and to add to my orginal question....

1)the probe for the accurite should be under the hide on the warm side? does it touch the UTH or just sit on top of the substrate? and then the accurite itself goes on the cool side so i no the cool side temp also

2) would u recommend i put the UTH in the tub or under it?

3) what kind of substrate do you guys find easiest?

4) should tape the thermostat probe to the UTH?

ill post more question when i think of them

[edie]

You can always save the 66Q box for when the snake gets larger. There are some really nice thermostats out there that are in the $100-$150 range, I think there are some for around $60 (maybe lower) that I've heard work well.

Other than that everything looks good!

I bought some cool plastic branches from the aquarium section of Petsmart, they're nice because they can hold the weight of the snake and you can disinfect them/not have to worry about mold.

[edie]

ok and to add to my orginal question....

1)the probe for the accurite should be under the hide on the warm side? does it touch the UTH or just sit on top of the substrate? and then the accurite itself goes on the cool side so i no the cool side temp also

Yes, keep the probe on the basking spot, I keep mine taped right on the cage where the UTH heats the cage, but I use newspaper so someone else might be able to clear that up more. I keep my accurite on the cooler side to get a read of the ambient temps.

2) would u recommend i put the UTH in the tub or under it?

Put the UTH under the tub! I don't use tubs, but I would think it would be safer to keep the heating element outside of a thank that will have high humidity, if the snake spilled water on it I think that could cause a problem.

3) what kind of substrate do you guys find easiest?

ASPEN! It keeps humidity well, I use news paper for my larger snakes but I keep all my younger snakes on aspen - there are a lot of options out there though so just do some research and find out which one sounds right for you.

4) should tape the thermostat probe to the UTH?

I have my thermostat probe taped to the UTH that I use with some foil tape, I think there are a couple of different ways to do this though, thats just what I do.

ill post more question when i think of them

[nevohraalnavnoj]

ok and to add to my orginal question....

1)the probe for the accurite should be under the hide on the warm side? does it touch the UTH or just sit on top of the substrate? and then the accurite itself goes on the cool side so i no the cool side temp also

2) would u recommend i put the UTH in the tub or under it?

3) what kind of substrate do you guys find easiest?

4) should tape the thermostat probe to the UTH?

ill post more question when i think of them

The probe for the accurite can be under the hide on the warm side, yes. You can tape it to the bottom of the rubbermaid and put substrate over the top.

The UTH has to be under the entire tub, not in it. BP's pee a ton and it could cause a malfunction!

I use newspaper, aspen is also widely used.

Tape the thermostat probe to the UTH to avoid the BP accidentally knocking it off and spiking temps.

Hope that helps,

JonV

[Nick]

thanks anyone have any other suggestions...