Supply List Recommendations
Hello again!
Been compiling a list of supplies and could use some advise before ordering. Aiming to buy a younger female Ball Python. Here is why I have on the list so far:
Primary List:
20 Gallon Long
Repti Therm U.T.H for 10-20 Gal.
ECO CARPET 29 Gallon
Eco Earth - 3 pack
2 Repti Shelter - Medium
New Zealand Sphagnum Moss
Water Dish
Fluker's Clamp Lamp - 5.5 inch
Ceramic Heat Emitter - 60 watt
Secondary List:
REPTISUN TERRARIUM HOOD 20”
ReptiSun 2.0 Fluorescent Bulb - 18"
HygroTherm - Humidity & Temp Controller
Repti Fogger
Plug-in Mechanical Timer
Husbandry:
Wipe Out 1 - 4.25 oz
Collapsible Snake Hook
Plastic Feeding Cage
Provent-a-Mite
Feeding Tongs 10"
Spray Bottle
Mods:
Tank Screen Top Foil Treatment
Blacked out back and sides
That is my list so far. Comments more than welcome.
Personal Comments:
I know I am missing some thermometers and rheostats and could use some help on that. I don't have enough money to put into a $120 controller and have seen cheaper options but am unsure of what to grab, particularly for the UTH. Seen a few recommend the Hydrofarm Thermostat.
The secondary list is wishlist stuff. The Fogger/Hygrotherm is unnecessary, but possibly convenient just in case I am not around for a few days or longer to mist. The light is also unnecessary, but for an attempt at "safe" display I chose the low output Reptisun 2.0.
Currently shopping at ReptileSupply.com since the prices seem to be some of the best. If anyone has any comments or recommendations for better sites I'd be open to comment.
Thanks for reading.
Re: Supply List Recommendations
Hi,
Primary List:
20 Gallon Long
Repti Therm U.T.H for 10-20 Gal.
ECO CARPET 29 Gallon wouldn't recommend this
Eco Earth - 3 pack or this - use newspaper or paper towels instead instead :)
2 Repti Shelter - Medium
New Zealand Sphagnum Moss you probably don't need this either
Water Dish
Fluker's Clamp Lamp - 5.5 inch see below
Ceramic Heat Emitter - 60 watt do you need two heat sources? - both will need to be controlled. You might be better trying to insulate the tank first depending on your room temps
Digital thermometer hydrometer - this is vital
Secondary List:
REPTISUN TERRARIUM HOOD 20”
ReptiSun 2.0 Fluorescent Bulb - 18" not needed
HygroTherm - Humidity & Temp Controller thermostats are vital - move it to the primary list. I think this is only a reader not a controller? that's vital too but we recommend the acurite weatherstation from walmart for $12
Repti Fogger Not needed
Plug-in Mechanical Timer not needed if you don't have a light
Husbandry:
Wipe Out 1 - 4.25 oz
Collapsible Snake Hook if you like but you don'y need it
Plastic Feeding Cage feed in his enclosure as recommended and this isn't needed either
Provent-a-Mite good to have for emergencies
Feeding Tongs 10"
Spray Bottle
Mods:
Tank Screen Top Foil Treatment
Blacked out back and sides you can add foamboard insulation as well to help keep the tank temps stable
dr del
Re: Supply List Recommendations
Quote:
Originally Posted by
True_Avery
Hello again!
Been compiling a list of supplies and could use some advise before ordering. Aiming to buy a younger female Ball Python. Here is why I have on the list so far:
Primary List:
20 Gallon Long
Go with a plastic sterilite tub and some clamps, save yourself the constant hassle and labor.
Repti Therm U.T.H for 10-20 Gal.
Get a pad or heat cord from Big Apple Herp that is safe for use with a plastic bin.
ECO CARPET 29 Gallon
Nah. Just buy a big bag of aspen shavings.
Eco Earth - 3 pack
What for? You already have bedding. This stuff tends to hold too much dampness and can lead to skin infections in BPs
2 Repti Shelter - Medium
If the girl is medium-sized, that's fine. Make sure it will fit her tightly, and not be larger than she needs, or she won't like it.
New Zealand Sphagnum Moss
Unnecessary if you aren't going to be fighting with the humidity all the time the way you would with a glass tank.
Water Dish
Fluker's Clamp Lamp - 5.5 inch
Never a good choice for BPs
Ceramic Heat Emitter - 60 watt
Never a good choice for BPs. Drives out the humidity, and if you're using a UTH you shouldn't need it. If you are using a plastic tub, you can't use it anyhow.
Secondary List:
REPTISUN TERRARIUM HOOD 20”
Completely unnecessary.
ReptiSun 2.0 Fluorescent Bulb - 18"
Completely unnecessary.
HygroTherm - Humidity & Temp Controller
Repti Fogger
You won't need it if you use a tub.
Plug-in Mechanical Timer
Husbandry:
Wipe Out 1 - 4.25 oz
Don't bother. Wash it with soap and water, and disinfect with chlorhexadine or bleach.
Collapsible Snake Hook
Plastic Feeding Cage
Unnecessary for a ball python (and possibly even counterproductive, if you want her to eat regularly).
Provent-a-Mite
Feeding Tongs 10"
Spray Bottle
Mods:
Tank Screen Top Foil Treatment
Blacked out back and sides
That is my list so far. Comments more than welcome.
Personal Comments:
I know I am missing some thermometers and rheostats and could use some help on that. I don't have enough money to put into a $120 controller and have seen cheaper options but am unsure of what to grab, particularly for the UTH. Seen a few recommend the
Hydrofarm Thermostat.
The secondary list is wishlist stuff. The Fogger/Hygrotherm is unnecessary, but possibly convenient just in case I am not around for a few days or longer to mist.
If you use a plastic tub, you won't need to. Save the money from that and buy a GOOD thermostat instead.
The light is also unnecessary, but for an attempt at "safe" display I chose the low output Reptisun 2.0.
Why not use an ordinary cheap fluorescent tube, if you just want lighting? As soon as the light comes on, the ball python will vanish into a hide and stay there, anyhow.
Currently shopping at
ReptileSupply.com since the prices seem to be some of the best. If anyone has any comments or recommendations for better sites I'd be open to comment.
Thanks for reading.
Big Apple Herp has some great stuff, and great prices on some things.
Re: Supply List Recommendations
I think Dr Del pretty much covered it. You probably won't need the lamp to keep your temps up. You could also use aspen or cypress for your substrate, I personally think it looks better than newspaper and is easy to clean.
You will definitely need a digital thermometer, I like the Accurite and most people here will recommend it and its cheap($12).
A thermostat is a must have too for your UTH. I use the Hydrofarm it works just fine for only one plug you could not use it for a lamp and UTH. Its one of the cheaper ones that actually works quite well too. I believe mine was about $30.
Re: Supply List Recommendations
Long forcepts for feeding.
Re: Supply List Recommendations
Thanks for the replies!
Can anyone link me to any good Digital thermometer/hydrometer? I keep hearing about the acu-rite, but when I look online I see dozens of different models.
And, on that note, can anyone recommend an inexpensive controller?
Thanks again!
Re: Supply List Recommendations
Most walmarts have the accurites... but lately it has been hard to find the ones with a wire attached to the "outside" probe... seems like they are switching to all wireless
Re: Supply List Recommendations
I would get a temp gun also unless I over looked it on your list :gj:
Re: Supply List Recommendations
This is what I got for my Baby BP.
10 Gal W/ Screen
Aspen Bedding
Water Dish
Lamp
Red Light
Heat Pad
Hide
3 Thermometers
Hygrometer
Thermostat
Paper Towels (For keeping humidity in.)
Spray Bottle
He loves his tank.
Re: Supply List Recommendations
Its really hard to find the accurite weather stations online for a decent price. Your best bet is to hit up walmart or home depot and check out their thermometers. You want the one with a wired probe for the "outdoor" reading. Shouldn't run you more then $12.
Also, a thermostat is a must. The hydrofarm has been given good reviews so far on this site. If it is within your budget, get it.