How does this look?

In preparation for (hopefully) getting another BP at the expo this weekend, I have set up a 10-gallon vivarium... my roommate gave me his old glass tank, and then I spent about $50-60 on the accessories. Much cheaper than my last setup! Wish I could have done it even cheaper, but we don't have Wal-Mart around here - which is the only place you can get certain things, apparently (like the Accu-rite hygro/therm). I tried Home Depot and Target, but eventually gave up and went to Pet Club.

Anyway, how does it look so far? I know I need another hide, and I'm planning to mount some "jungle background" on the outside for color. Also, ignore the sticky thermometer on the front, which was already there... I have two regular thermometers on the ground, one on each side. Finally, I had to put the heater on the side, since I discovered the bottom is made of thick plastic. Will that provide enough heat? I turned on the heater using a dimmer, and will check the temps in about 24 hours. TIA for any input!

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF5091.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF5097.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF5093.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF5094.jpg

Is this hide big enough for a baby/young BP? I have a bigger one I can swap it for...
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF5096.jpg

You already seem to know what you need to do hide wise.

As far as the heater, Id put it under the enclosure and try it anyways. Use a thermostat though and monitor the temps.

I've got Flexwatt under my AP cages, and they're 1/2" thick PVC cages. The flexwatt has NO trouble keeping temps high enough.

HTH

Nice setup so far. But I would've went with belly heat though.. People heat plastic tubs all the time with their flexwatt/UTH's. As long as it's regulated it should be fine. I would ditch the thermometers you have in there and go with digital thermometers and a digital hygrometer. Wal Mart isn't the only place you can get it, there's online sources too. Go here for the Acu-Rite, they're pretty cheap:

http://www.partshelf.com/acu00891.html

That hide will do fine for a hatchling BP. It will start to get too small once the BP reaches 400-450 grams. Just get another one for the other side and you'll do fine for now.

Sweet... thanks! :gj: I'll move the heater under the tank (if that's possible), and see how it does.

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Originally Posted by Sarin

Nice setup so far. But I would've went with belly heat though.. People heat plastic tubs all the time with their flexwatt/UTH's. As long as it's regulated it should be fine. I would ditch the thermometers you have in there and go with digital thermometers and a digital hygrometer. Wal Mart isn't the only place you can get it, there's online sources too. Go here for the Acu-Rite, they're pretty cheap:

http://www.partshelf.com/acu00891.html

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Oh, and I did think about getting one online, but wasn't sure it would arrive in time... I'm planning to get him/her on Saturday, so I needed something asap! I'll switch them out when I have a chance, though.

You can go to any pet store with reptile supplies and get a digital thermometer with a probe while you wait for the Acu-Rite to arrive. If you can't get the digital thermometer at all at ay stores, then you can use what you have temporarily, it is better then nothing. Just make sure you keep a close eye on your BP and don't set the UTH as high as you normally would, just to be safe.

If you need help removing that UTH without ruining it, here's a great thread on that:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=66262

I suggest using aluminum foil tape next time to stick your UTH on, so you can reuse it whenever you want without having to do that all over again. It's 7-9 bucks at any hardware store. :)

Your setup looks a lot like mine! I think I have the same plants and hide you have. Just get another one of the same cave hides and put it on the other side. The size is perfect for my young BP. He can get all the way to back and be surrounded on 3 sides, and be out of the opening. Mine loves it.

Good luck!

Personally, I am not a fan of your substrate. It is the recycled newspaper stuff right?
I would swap for paper towels or shaved aspen.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

Personally, I am not a fan of your substrate. It is the recycled newspaper stuff right?
I would swap for paper towels or shaved aspen.

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It's actually Carefresh, which is what I use for my other snake... I can't use anything wood-based since I'm allergic, but I could switch for paper towels. Seems easier to clean!

I know a few big breeders who use Carefresh Ultra without any problems. BUT, these is some info out there about people having problems with it and they're animals.

I do believe the carefresh your using is more dusty than the Ultra version.

Just my 2 pennies.

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Originally Posted by Lolo76

It's actually Carefresh, which is what I use for my other snake... I can't use anything wood-based since I'm allergic, but I could switch for paper towels. Seems easier to clean!

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