Heating and new BP?

First question, Just got this BP baby. How long do I let him destress? 1 week? Then start holding him? Also when do I feed him? Just got him Sunday.

Question number 2. In the diagram below what is the correct positioning of the heating ? Top or Bottom?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...va/diagram.jpg

Welcome aboard! You should leave the snake alone for a week before handling him. The way I do it is leave them alone for a week, feed them after that 1 week time and leave them alone for another 2 days after they eat. As for your heating, pic 1 would be the way to go. You only need the heat lamp if you have trouble getting your ambient temps up. And don't forget the thermostat :D

I ACTUALLY QUIT USING MY HEAT LAMP AND HAVE 2 UTH'S NOW, B/C THEY ARE CHEAP AND COULDNT GET THE WARM SID TEMP UP, BUT NOW MY COLD SIDE IS TOO LOW AND THAT IS WHERE LUCY'S LIKES TO STAY. I AM GOING TO PUT MY LAMP ON THE SIDE TO WARM THAT UP A BIT AND STABALIZE BY AMBIENT TEMP.
THANKS FOR THE INFO, AND GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NEW BP.:gj:

thats interesting...i just got my bp a month ago and i have set up from pic 2!! and it works well, i think...i didnt get a digital thermostat just yet...but he mostly always stays on the cool side, and when he wants to warm up i see him changing over to the warm side, and than he just goes back to the cool side, and thats where he is mostly at.

If you can maintain proper humidity and temps with either set-up, I think your good to go. Anyways, BP's don't sense belly heat as well as overhead heat, so that's a huge plus. :gj:

would covering the screen top with say plexiglass with a hole cut out for the lamp be a good idea? seems like I could get my humidity up a little more than what it is now.

That is exactly what many people do. Many use several layers of foil, shiny side taped down, but I like the idea of either one.

I like this topic. I am new to snakes. I have a BP. My setup is just like #2, and my BP is almost always on the cool side in her hide. She has me a little worried. When I take her out, she is cool to the touch. She doesnt seem to care about being that warm. Should I be concerned?

That is a wonderful idea;) Alot of people do cover their screen tops with plexiglass (including myself, its complicated because I use damp towels too, but that is because I have a tall tank) Set up one is best because it helps the cool side stay, well, a little less cool. The UTH on the warm side is enough to keep temps of about 90 degrees while the overhead lamp on the cooler side helps raise it above room temp.

I had my tank set up like number 1 for a while, then I purchased a second UTH to provide constant 84 degrees on the cooler side, because the heat lamp only warmed the air, not the area under the hide on the warm side. My house is also very cold so a second UTH was the way I needed to go. Great thread!!

And don't forget to use a control device with your UTH!;) Uncontrolled they reach above 110 dgrees which is way too high. Another reason you need a digital probe;)

So is it better to have (2) UTH rather than one and a ceramic heater? And where does everyone get their UTH from? i got mine from the petstore it was a ZOO Med, a tad pricey. I also have a thermostat that is Zoo med. Any suggestion on those?

Thanks