Help with getting tank proper

[Red_Herbs]

Hey guys. I recently got a bp off craigslist and need some help. I have a 50 gallon tank, I have a heat pad and a light on the side with the heat pad. I can't seem to get the cold side to ever get above the low 70s. And the thermostat on the hot side will say 80-90 depending on what light I'm trying. ( have a repti-glow, sun glow, and a standard 60 watt)

The thermostat on the hot side is slightly above the ground, above the hide, so I'm not sure if that factors in the heat from the heating pad that's covered by a hide????

I also have a problem with the humidity. With the light on it sucks out the humidity. So it in the 25-30% range on the hot side during the day and 45-55% at night. I'm not sure about the cold side, since there is no hydrometer on that side.

I also have tin foil on the top of 2/3 of the cage to try to keep heat/moisture in.

The snake also has some rough looking eyes that appears to be eye caps. He hadn't eaten for 3 weeks when I got him which was a month ago. He still hasn't eaten. I tried a live rat ( which he was fed before) that I have since gotten rid of. But I think I will switch to frozen since I don't want to keep a rat around in case he doesn't eat it. Also I noticed he whistles when he breathes some times. Respiratory infection???

Anyways that's my list of issues so any help I can get would be great. Ill try to upload some pics of my tank soon and his eyes. Since I'm sure that will help you guys.

[pavlovk1025]

FUnny. there's a guy near by that has the same issues and I've been coaching him through text messages. Big tanks= big problem. For humidity, I know you already have the foil, try using plastic + foil. First layer plastic and then foil on top. Should help a lot. Also get a bigger water bowl.Tanks have heat escape real easy thru the glass so you might want to insulate that as well. Ive heard styrofoam and cardboard used. For eyes, I dont know what's going on but it could be eye caps or dehydration. For eating, it's a 50 gal tank man...that's a lot of stress. More hides, better temps, less handling until settled and you should be ok in no time.

[pavlovk1025]

Oh and sphagnum moss is good too. It's cheap and is reusable, so a bag will last a while. Just moisten it the first time and put it in, and mist it daily or as needed after that.

[Kaorte]

Please please please read the caresheet and stickys, they can answer a lot of your questions

[th3jok3r]

for respiroatory problems try increasing the temp to 95* keep the temp higher and humidity little above normal is your bp ready to shed anytime sooon? make sure u clean the water bowl daily and for a 50 gal u should have alot of trees, shrubs, caves, hides dont leave it too open your BP might stress out

[pavlovk1025]

I totally missed that part. If you think there's an RI, take him to a vet. You should take him anyway to make sure he's in good health.

[Argentra]

Ok, lets see...

1- take the snake to the vet to rule out RI

2- The largest tank even a big adult female should live in is a 40gal breeder. Most adults live well in 30gal breeder tanks. Long and low is the best. I suggest selling that 50 and getting a 30 breeder. Craigslist is a great source for buying and selling tanks. If you just can't manage to get a new tank now, then follow the remaining suggestions keeping the added size in mind.

3- Insulate the back and both sides with foam board, or at least cork board. As was said, glass loses heat fast and the insulation is necessary.

4- By thermostat, I'm guessing you mean thermoMETER. The thing that reads the temps. Because you say it's above the hide, I also guess it's not a digital with probe, which is really what is needed for snakes. Make sure you have a digital thermometer with a probe and set the probe UNDER the substrate on the glass right above the heat pad.

5- In some places, a second UTH (and second thermostat to control it) is needed for the cool side. You might need this to get the cool temps up to where they should be, especially in a larger tank.

6- The foil treatment should cover ALL of the screen top EXCEPT a square on one side for ventilation. The more screen that is covered, the more humidity stays inside the tank. Also, lights suck tanks dry so getting rid of the lights would really help.

That's all I can think of for now. See what you can do to get a new tank or fix up your current one and get back to us.

[Red_Herbs]

hmm...how do I post pictures?

[Argentra]

You either upload them from your computer to the gallery here and then paste the link from the gallery into the post, OR you upload pictures to a site like Photobucket and paste the IMG links in the post. There's a sticky tutorial on how to do it...somewhere on the site.

[dr del]

Hi,

Well the first thing is to get them hosted somewhere online.

You can put them in your gallery here - this tutorial is a bit old but the basic procedure is the same I think.

And here is another one in video form that might also help.

You can also use a site like http://photobucket.com/

They should also have tutorials to help you.

If you still have trouble just ask any member of staff and we will do our best to get you sorted.


dr del