Helllppppppppp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My attempt at my first tank setup

i put a bit of this in my intro but i'll go in depth here. ok here we go:

i plan on getting a snake kit because when we were pricing everything out it is waaaayyy cheaper to go that route. i plan on getting a 20L tank so he/she as room to grow up. the kit i'm looking at has the two lights substrate and the temp/hum gauges. it's by zilla. the biggest thing i keep seeing is the gauges they give you aren't that great plus some of the items are useless. my biggest hurdle is the temp and hum levels for my room. our house can get upwards of 90F and i want to make sure he/she doesn't bake in his/her home. my mom is terrified of snakes but she doesn't want her fear to stop me HOWEVER i don't expect her to go in check the snake while i'm at school. i also don't understand how to place everything. i'v seen videos and even read through some threads on here but i'm at a loss for the use of aluminium foil and the placement of the temp ends and the lamps. actually i don't get why you need heat lamps yet you have a heater under the tank??? i feel like that would cook the snake. :( also with the hum aside from the occasional mist spray i have no clue how to keep it level. the place i'm putting the tank is on my dresser in front of my window. my room window is under our carport so there won't be any direct sunlight into the tank. my room due to being under the carport means it won't get too hot; it's usually about -10-15F cooler than the rest of the house. i have read about 50 or so pages on substrate but i don't know what to use right now. i was going to use what i used for my rabbit but i don't know anymore. i also want to know where to get a weight station for the snake cause we don't have anything. i also would want to know any advice on how to keep my cat from getting into the tank. she's 5-6 yr old and we've had her since she was born really. i don't want to keep my door to my room closed all the time because i've never had that while we're awake only when i'm sleep. she doesn't climb up there anymore but there's nothing there right now. :D i'm also looking into a book about bp so i make sure i have everything i need. the one thing i haven't found is what type of vitamins and extra healthy things a bp may need. thxs for any help!!

Most kits don't come very well equipped to provide for bps. If you're looking for a proper set up, you need to invest in the proper equipment. You will need a thermostat to regulate any heat source you provide. It is probably the most important piece of equipment you'll own in regards to keeping a ball python - or any snake. Also, those kits usually come with "stick on" thermometers for the inside of the tank, and I insist that you don't use it. Anything that is sticky - like tape - should never go inside your snake's tank.

https://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTP.../dp/B000NZZG3S - the most recommended budget thermostat.

Ball pythons don't need the infrared heat lamps but if you need an extra heat source for maintaining ambient temps in the tank, a ceramic heat emitter is usually the recommended option. To help maintain humidity, cover the screen top of the tank with tinfoil, a towel, or something along those lines because it'll help keep the moisture from escaping when you mist. Leave a few inches of the top uncovered for ventilation. You should also invest in a digital hydrometer, so you know when to mist if your humidity drops too low.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...A39VTLCPMNRL3Z - most hydrometers are cheap, and they come with other helpful options.

Most people here will tell you that reptibark (orchid bark) or ecoearth are the best substrates as they hold moisture the best and don't mold. Coco shell mulch is also another decent option, but I've seen people complain about mold and dust. I use reptibark because it looks nice, smells nice, holds moisture and is easy to spot clean.

As far as placement goes, you will need a hide on both ends of the tank - a hot hide and a cool hide. Identical hides are optimal, because it removes the chance of your snake favoring one hide over the other, even if it gets too warm or cold. Water usually goes somewhere in the middle, and the rest is at your discretion. Fake plants and things to clutter up the empty space in the tank are also recommended, because ball pythons do not like open space.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ius)-Caresheet - proper temps and humidity and other useful information here.

For weighing your snake, any small, reliable scale will do. I use a food scale to weigh my snakes - works just fine. Just have to make sure whatever scale you buy uses grams or KG, unless you're fine with doing conversion math.

I would like to link the glass tank setup sticky, but I can't see the images because photobucket is ruining everything for everyone with its new policy. I'll post it anyway in case you can see them, but if not I'm sure someone here can post a picture of their set-up if you ask. Mine are in a rack system, so I can't give a proper example of a tank set up.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-With-Pictures! - I hope the pictures work for you.

With your cat, the best option is no contact at all. Cats carry a gram negative bacteria that causes infection that is difficult to treat in small animals. You can secure the lid of your tank with clips and weights to make it so your cat can't get in it, but it's probably best to try and keep your cat away from the tank altogether. The "curious cat" constantly hanging around your snake's tank will probably cause your snake to stress.


This is probably long and rambling, and I'm sure I forgot some stuff :oops: I just tried to quickly cover what seemed most important.

That kit isn't worth it. Wrong substrate, wrong lights, small hide and water dish, wrong gauges. The tank is ok though. Lol. Humidity will be your issue with a tank. I have a tank too. I would use Eco earth and get sphagnum moss for corners to keep humidity. You will need it in the hides too when your snake goes into shed. Uth and tempstat to regulate it. A Che for the hot spot.

Can an someone link debs hides my way pinned post?

I also take the dimensions of the screen top, cut cardboard to those dimensions, cit the corners off for air flow. Put the light dome on top where your hot side will be trace it and cut it out, then cover the cardboard with foil and that sits on your screen lid with the cutout for the light. Humidity stays a lot longer. I can post a pic of myset up if needed. I also got my hides at the dollar tree.

Thxs for the info! I have read about the tank kits and I actually might get one just because it has a good chunk of what I need for a cheaper price than individual setup. (That's about the only way to actually get the snake period) I'm definitely not going to put the temp/him gauge in the tank I actually think that's kind of dumb overall as you need movement to ficilitate proper reads. As for the substrate that I might change but right now I'm still looking. I am going to get one of those probe type themeonenters so I can get as accurate as possible. As for my cat she should be fine. Where Ill have the tank she can't actually get to so we're good there. Thxs for the links!! And yeah I can't see any pics which kind of sucks. :( Thxs though. I might get the bark if it smells good. :)

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Yes plz! Any pics would be helpful.

Thxs. It all helps and any info is highly appreciated :)

I take it back I may not buy the kit. Now I need to redo my math. :cool:

The tank set up is better for colubrids not pythons. That's the difference. Even with the kit you need to buy different stuff any way. Took me 6 months to build my tank and get the husbandry correct. Even then I still need to tweek it. Bp's are not cheap lol. Some think they are the easy snake. Lol.

I have a tub set up. All in two temp gauges stat uth temp gun and a 15 qt tub was like 90 Canadian in. Not expensive.

Since you are starting with nothing I would strongly suggest getting a tub from the beginning. Tubs like this with the handles that lock the lid securely in place are ideal:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hefty-34-Qu...ng-Lid/3341162

Add a thermostat regulating an under-tank heater under one side of the tub, two hides, and a water bowl, and you have a safe, secure basic setup for a lot less than the snake kit offered by retail stores. You can use newspaper as substrate.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Since you are starting with nothing I would strongly suggest getting a tub from the beginning. Tubs like this with the handles that lock the lid securely in place are ideal:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hefty-34-Qu...ng-Lid/3341162

Add a thermostat regulating an under-tank heater under one side of the tub, two hides, and a water bowl, and you have a safe, secure basic setup for a lot less than the snake kit offered by retail stores. You can use newspaper as substrate.

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I second the newspaper. Easy to clean the poop up.


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