lighting

Okay so you're clear on the whole regular white light bulb being a poor idea for a heating source right?

How big is this new BP going to be? A 55 gallon tank is way too big for a baby BP plus setting it up only to move it two days later is causing a lot of unneeded stress on your new snake. Why not get one after you have a proper setup ready and the temps/humidity issues have been dealt with?

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Okay so you're clear on the whole regular white light bulb being a poor idea for a heating source right?

How big is this new BP going to be? A 55 gallon tank is way too big for a baby BP plus setting it up only to move it two days later is causing a lot of unneeded stress on your new snake. Why not get one after you have a proper setup ready and the temps/humidity issues have been dealt with?

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I'm doing the setup right now. I have everything but the lighting, and i'm getting the lighting in about 20 minutes. And who said i'm getting him now? I'm gunna get him tomorrow when I have the money. I only have money for the bulb.

I'm really unclear on what your setup plans are. That 55 gallon will work for your bp when he is larger, however, a baby will be somewhat intimidated by such a large space and may not be able to find heat, water, etc as a result. Ball pythons will choose security over warmth, so if he shacks up on the cool end, it may be some time before it gets the nerve to seek out the warm side of the cage and will suffer in the cooler temperatures.

If you have to use the 10 gallon, I would use that until your bp passes about 2.5' in length or 500 grams (over 1 lb or so) in weight. Once you get him established and eating well, move him to the bigger tank.

A 40w red bulb on a 10 gallon tank in a 72 degree room *should* get the tank up to about 90-92. Don't place the tank anywhere near a draft, window, door, or cold floor.

Is this in an area that doesn't recieve any ambient light? Generally, that is enough for most snakes. Will this be in a windowless room?

As already stated, I would make sure your tank is up and running for a minimum of 48 hours. Be sure to measure your temps digitally, and to provide stable temps. If you're set on a specific snake, I'd ask about purchasing it and having them hold it for you until you are set up and go to go. ;)

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

I'm really unclear on what your setup plans are. That 55 gallon will work for your bp when he is larger, however, a baby will be somewhat intimidated by such a large space and may not be able to find heat, water, etc as a result. Ball pythons will choose security over warmth, so if he shacks up on the cool end, it may be some time before it gets the nerve to seek out the warm side of the cage and will suffer in the cooler temperatures.

If you have to use the 10 gallon, I would use that until your bp passes about 2.5' in length or 500 grams (over 1 lb or so) in weight. Once you get him established and eating well, move him to the bigger tank.

A 40w red bulb on a 10 gallon tank in a 72 degree room *should* get the tank up to about 90-92. Don't place the tank anywhere near a draft, window, door, or cold floor.

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I'll just keep him in the 10 then. Also I live in the hot part of the house. Also, I live in Florida and I have a dragon in my room so its already hot in my room.

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Originally Posted by Gizm0BP

I'll just keep him in the 10 then. Also I live in the hot part of the house. Also, I live in Florida and I have a dragon in my room so its already hot in my room.

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Sounds great. How warm exactly is it in your room? 75, 80? I'd start with a 40 watt bulb and see what your temps do. Baby balls really like ambient temps around 84-85, keeps them warm and hungry. As long as your warm side temps aren't going over 92-94, your set. 10 gallons can be tricky as they tend to be either too warm or too cold, heavily influenced by the temperature of the room the cage is in. Many new keepers greatly underestimate how much the room temperature actually does effect the cage temps.

Also, babies grow like crazy. It won't be long before he'll be out of the 10 gallon. 3-6 months at the longest.

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

Sounds great. How warm exactly is it in your room? 75, 80? I'd start with a 40 watt bulb and see what your temps do. Baby balls really like ambient temps around 84-85, keeps them warm and hungry. As long as your warm side temps aren't going over 92-94, your set. 10 gallons can be tricky as they tend to be either too warm or too cold, heavily influenced by the temperature of the room the cage is in. Many new keepers greatly underestimate how much the room temperature actually does effect the cage temps.

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I'd say around that. During the winter it doesn't change much either :)

Post some pics when you're all set up!

Something else to put on your shopping list....at target and walmart in the hardware sections, they sell Acu-rite digital thermometers that measure 2 temperatures (one in the unit, one from a probe) and the humidity level. In FL I think you'll have it easier than most of us, but its a good tool to have so you know exactly whats going on in the cages. You can use it for your dragon and ball python interchangably as it doesn't need to be permanently mounted.

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

Post some pics when you're all set up!

Something else to put on your shopping list....at target and walmart in the hardware sections, they sell Acu-rite digital thermometers that measure 2 temperatures (one in the unit, one from a probe) and the humidity level. In FL I think you'll have it easier than most of us, but its a good tool to have so you know exactly whats going on in the cages. You can use it for your dragon and ball python interchangably as it doesn't need to be permanently mounted.

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I have several of those. Have one for my dragon and I had one for my Iggy. I have a nice piece of driftwood and a hidebox that's in the tank right now. I'll post some picks when I get him...guess what? His cage is right on my desk. He's gunna be right next to daddy :)