looking for a point in the right direction

Hi out there. New to the forum and wanted to say hi. Im looking at the moment for a red blood and was hoping to get a few things . I know I need to keep an ambient temp of around 80-82 and I have read humidity should be around 60. My question is whether or not this is correct and also what is recommended for a heat source and to monitor heat and humidity. Basically I would like to order everything I need and have the tank set up and ready before I purchase the snake so that I know everything will be ready when its brought home. Thanks for any input or advice and i look forward to hearing back.

Are you using a glass tank? If so I would use a under tank heater regulated by a thermostat. The UTH should cover about 1/3rd the bottom of the tank

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...brongersmai%29

I use tubs w/ UTHs (regulated) and tubs with flexwatt in a rack (regulated as well). I'm getting my first blood (Black Blood) this Tuesday from Tim Mead, and he has been more then helpful answering questions for me and is IMO an expert with the species. I wouldn't hesitate to contact him if you're looking for more info on keeping bloods (he doesn't work with Reds specifically but produces wonderful Borneos and Sumatrans), I'm sure he'd be happy to help: http://serpentim.com/

I plan to house my little one in a tub until she's an adult in which I'll be putting her in an actual cage w/ RHPs for heating. Humidity/Temp levels can be hard to maintain in a tank so I would recommend looking into a tub setup for yours.

I have heard that tanks are hard to maintain humidity. Why is this? Is it due to the fact that they are glass? I was gonna use a tank because I ad planned on housing it in my living room which is the warmest room in the house. And tanks just look better. Any options that will be easy to maintain and also pleasing to the eye?

They are hard to.maintain humidity and temperatures because of the screen top. The screen top lets the heat and humidity get right out. If you use a heat lamp that kills your humidity even more.

Tubs or PVC reptile cages are the way to go

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Originally Posted by jackal_727

I have heard that tanks are hard to maintain humidity. Why is this? Is it due to the fact that they are glass? I was gonna use a tank because I ad planned on housing it in my living room which is the warmest room in the house. And tanks just look better. Any options that will be easy to maintain and also pleasing to the eye?

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glass enclosures are notoriously difficult to maintain appropriate humidity levels. it can certainly be done but it's a pain and a daily effort. if you're dead set on a display enclosure, I'd recommend taking a look at cages produced by boaphile, animal plastics, barr's, etc. while not cheap, they're not extravagantly expensive, and they all are vastly superior to glass cages.

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Originally Posted by wwmjkd

glass enclosures are notoriously difficult to maintain appropriate humidity levels. it can certainly be done but it's a pain and a daily effort. if you're dead set on a display enclosure, I'd recommend taking a look at cages produced by boaphile, animal plastics, barr's, etc. while not cheap, they're not extravagantly expensive, and they all are vastly superior to glass cages.

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I absolutely love my Animal Plastics cages, they are a little pricy but they will last the life of the snake if not longer. They really don't cost much more than an equiviliant sized glass tank

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/c22733cf.jpg

Another option is to build your own cage as well and just buy the RHP/flexwatt/UTH (whatever you choose to use for heating) and the thermostat separate. There's many tutorials online on how to build your own cage.

I get good temps and humidity using a tub in a rack with belly heat flexwatt. However in not TOO long my girl will be getting a 4ft plastic cage with a radiant heat panel (and possibly belly heat flexwatt if needed).

I might try constrictors northwest this time for caging, have APs and a boaphile rack that I love, but it can't hurt to try the competition.