Advise on reptile supplies

So i've getting a female morph sometime soon and i'm looking into getting some reptile supplies. I need a tank to keep her in, a heat bulb for ambient air temperatures already have the light fixture, soft style coco bark unless you have suggestions on something better, a heating pad for the hotspot, I have a water dish, a thermometer, and one of those half log hides. Also thought about getting some decor to put in all three of my tanks for extra cover. What's the difference between a red bulb and an infrared bulb? Because red is $6 and infrared is $9. Also would a medium habba hut be big enough for a ball python over 400 grams or should I get a large? Also what do you think of the Creative Habitat 15BT? http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...bt-glass-cage/ My total with everything I need including shipping from LLL Reptile is $101 and they have the lowest prices i've been able to find including local and Critter Barn is great. If they had free shipping on orders of $100 or more I would add a thermostat. Suggestions?

Why don't you just go with a tub setup? So much easier and cheaper: I can guarentee that a tub setup will be well under $101 (not counting in a good thermostat, but counting in at least a dimmer).

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Originally Posted by Daybreaker

Why don't you just go with a tub setup? So much easier and cheaper: I can guarentee that a tub setup will be well under $101 (not counting in a good thermostat, but counting in at least a dimmer).

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What all would I need for a tub setup?

A tub, an under tank heating device...I prefer flexwatt since it's cheaper than store bought UTHs, a water dish, newspaper (substrate...or whatever you want to use), a thermotstat and some hides...lol

Edit: I use binder clips to secure the tub lids...you can buy boxes for like $2.00 at Staples or something.

What size tub should I use? What size and watt flexwatt should I buy? Does it come with instructions on how to wire it? I would like to get all of my snakes in tubs it seems like it would take up less space and I could probably stack them. How would I set up a tub? Is LLL the most convenient place to get all of this? The Vision python tubs are $159 each...

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Originally Posted by evan385

What size tub should I use? What size and watt flexwatt should I buy? Does it come with instructions on how to wire it? I would like to get all of my snakes in tubs it seems like it would take up less space and I could probably stack them. How would I set up a tub? Is LLL the most convenient place to get all of this? The Vision python tubs are $159 each...

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I don't personally use LLL and probably never will...

Depends on how big the snake is, small snake = small tub. I'd start a hatchling in a 6-12 qt and work your way up as it grows up. I have most of mine in 34qt with no issue. Flexwatt is VERY easy to wire yourself, you can buy it prewired which is good but costs slightly more. If you want instructions when the time comes I can walk you through it through PM if you like...even take pics of mine and how I wired them....

I just bought a multipurpose rack from Walmart for like $50 and put wooden boards on each shelf, then taped the flexwatt to each shelf...this way I can remove the tubs as I please without having to detach the flexwatt from the tub.

Tubs at Walmart are anywhere from $10-$25 :D with lids ;)

Tubs are just confusing to me I mean with racks I get it and it makes complete sense but a tub by itself or even on a rack with a lid is just confusing to me. Would I be right to assume there's a hole cut in the lid with some type of screen over it?

There doesn't need to be, you can solder or drill holes in the sides for ventilation...

Here's an idea of mine, it's slightly different now...those are 34qt tubs from Walmart.
http://i41.tinypic.com/5xv04l.jpg

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Originally Posted by LGray23

There doesn't need to be, you can solder or drill holes in the sides for ventilation...

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Ah okay that makes sense. So if I do this I could just stack two or three tubs the heat tape on the bottom of the tub won't affect or melt the one below it? Also a thermostat is required for heat tape right? And I can have three tubs on the same thermostat?