Thinking of getting a BP, need input, and advice

I just joined the forum to get some more info about how I should setup a BP properly before I buy my snake and have problems. I'm leaning towards keeping a BP in a tub system so it will be more space efficient in my reptileroom/bedroom and I have also heard that they do just as well or even better in tubs than in glass setups. One of my only concerns is about heating in the tub, and if using a 24wat UTH will be reliable option. I will also have a 500 watt zilla temperature controller to make sure the hot spot doesn't go over 94 degrees (IK it's supposed to be about 88-96 degrees). The tub itself is about 36qts, and I have a 75qt tub as well for a BP when it's fully grown that I can move it in (Dimensions for 36qt Length 22", Width 24", Height 4 1/4"). I'm also conflicting over what kind of bedding I should use....I heard that to keep humidity coconut mulch is good, and newspapers are good but you have to change every time the defecate. But I'm not to sure about what people think on aspen? I heard aspen that is dusty can affect a BP's respiratory system. Anyways the main things I need to know are, is the UTH ok on a tub, is aspen ok to use for bedding, and (ik this is going to be controversial) who is the best breeder to buy BP's from? Kingsnake Classifides? UndergroundReptiles? LLLreptiles?
Any info will help.
Thanks, Domitor

Hi Domitor,

Welcome to the addiction...

In general there are some good care sheets and instructions on these forums for some extra help, but lets cover your specific questions.

Yep, tubs can be easier to maintain than tanks because you have more control over air movement/humidity and the heat sticks around. Those dimension sound just fine, a good rule of thumb is that the largest dimension should not be less than half the snake.

Yes, a 24 watt UTH will be fine, the more important question is size, you want it to be a large enough area to effectively supply heat. Some cover up to a third of the tank with a UTH but as long as the pad is large enough for the entire animal to be on top of it you are doing good. That being said I would go for something that is large enough to provide an adult with heat so that you are not constantly buying successively larger UTHs. And yes it is ok to use on a tub as it doesn't actually get that hot.

I used the zilla stats for a while... they worked ok. The dial is a little frustrating but with a light touch you can zero in on your desired temp. If you want to save yourself some money, assuming you will only ever run UTHs off of it, you dont need the 500 watts you can get the smaller one. Since each UTH is only 25 watts you would have to daisy chain a lot of them together in order to get anywhere near 500 watts. You can find instructions for installing thermostat probes on the forums, the thing to point out is that you want to put the probe on top of the UTH but NOT inside the tank. So like sandwiched between or taped/hot glued to the bottom for some models. This prevents the animal from dislocating the probe and throwing off the stat.

Now having said all that, take a look at Spyder Robotics Herpstat. You can get a basic model for not much more than a zilla and they are FAR, FAR, FAR... farfarfar superior.

You're close on the temps, but you never want to go above 95. 90 to 92 is a good window to shoot for.

Yes aspen is great! And since your looking at a tub already you don't need the humidity managing aspects of the more expensive options like mulches or barks. I would really use aspen though, it's far easier to keep a clean cage with aspen by spot cleaning than to deal with newspaper or felt.

One thing I want to suggest that you didn't ask about is the hide/decor. I would direct you towards earthenware hides and water bowls as they do the best job of retaining heat and evenly redistributing it. Earthenware is also really easy to clean. Next rung down would be the LLL or reptile basics black hide boxes and some plastic dog bowl that is wider at the base than at the lip. They are easy to clean but without the heat retention. I would avoid wood. It can retain odor, get contaminated by feces and urates blah blah generally it gets gross.

As for where to get your animal, I don't know where you live, LLL could be local to you, but I would find a local breeder. Someone who can continue to work with you after your purchase, someone who you can actually go to talk to if need be. For your first BP I would avoid anything online or shows. Just find somebody in your area YOU LIKE, (thats important) then buy from them. If someone won't give you the time of day when you want to give them money, imagine how hard it will be to get their attention when your are not giving them money.

Hope this all helps, and again welcome aboard!

Your hot spot doesn't need to be over 90.

Ok thanks for the info. I set up the tub with the heat mat on and am still waiting for the temp control device. Sadly I don't live near LLLReptile or any other large reptile store. I live in Seattle, WA and at the last reptile expo I went to there seemed to be plenty of breeders that I could look into. I got the hotspot thing down to keep it under 95 (92-90 is perfect). And if I were to buy frozen mice/rats in bulk what size should I get? I feel like a BP would grow out of eating pinkies and fuzzies really quickly...
Thanks for all the input so far,
-Domitor

Very welcome. You're right, getting pinkies or fuzzies in bulk means you are getting a bag of like a hundred of them and yes, you're right, your BP will out grow that. I was hoping somebody would hop in and recommend a good small volume supplier, I know I have seen some but now can't remember their names.