Rate my enclosure!

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Originally Posted by Phreak

I'm kinda new here but these are the things I would suggest
1.smaller hide so your BP can feel really secure in there
2.add another hide on the other side of the tub so your snake can thermoregulate (might have to downsize your water dish for this)

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yeah im heading to the pet store tomorrow to pick up some new hides and yea i think my water dish is pretty big :P

my only worry is that i have no thermometer in my enclosure so i bought a lamp dimmer to control how much heat the UTH gives off... i just leave it at 3/4 (thats what the guy told me to do)... however my little guy left the warm side and was chilling on top of the water dish... i thought he mite have felt a little TOO hot so i turned down the lamp dimmer to about 1/2...

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Originally Posted by AzureN1ght

I'd put a smaller water bowl in there, and put a "cool side" hide in, for sure...because the bowl takes up the whole cool side, the only way he could thermoregulate would be to soak in his bowl.

I'd also replace that cardboard hide with something you can wash when you clean the take--and while you're getting it, get 2, so they're identical :)

Also--if your UTH isn't regulated by a thermostat, I'd definitely look into getting one of those, too.

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any recommendations as to what kind of thermostat to get?? (btw thermomstat is a thermometer, no?

I don't see any thermometer in his cage so that is one thing you definitely need to have. Most of us hear use and swear by Accurite digital thermometers/hygrometers. They have a probe so you can measure the hot side and the cool side of the tank simultaneously. It also tells the percentage humidity which needs to stay around 50-60% unless the snake is in shed. You also need something to control the heat mat. A simple dimmer switch found at your local hardware store will do the trick, or you could buy a thermostat which will regulate the temps all by itself. Definitely downsize the water bowl, I use small plastic dog dishes for my snakes. As for hides you could go down to a dollar store and pick up some appropriately sized plastic bowls and cut holes in the sides of them for the snake to go in and out of.

No. Thermostats keep a steady temp in your tank much like one in someone"s house will keep a steady temp by turning on the heat and turning it off when needed. These can cost anywhere from 25 to 150+ dollars US and can be found on many reptile supply sites

i thot the accurite was a thermostat?... i have a lamp dimmer right now and i leave it at 3/4... do i plug in my heat pad into the thermostat inorder for it to control the heat??

Accurite is a thermometer and will only measure the temps. The heat pad should be plugged into the dimmer in order for it to control the temps (these should be read by your thermometer). Hope that helps! :D

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Originally Posted by Phreak

Accurite is a thermometer and will only measure the temps. The heat pad should be plugged into the dimmer in order for it to control the temps (these should be read by your thermometer). Hope that helps! :D

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Accurites check humidity as well right? can i purchase them here in ontario? and would it be better if i get a thermostat rather than a lamp dimmer? and thanks for the help :D

A thermostat would def. be better than a lamp dimmer, yes. Accurites do measure humidity as well but where I am in Ontario I couldn't find one at the local wal-mart although it never hurts to check where you are. And no need to thank me for the help thats what this site is for! :D :D

The Accurites are thermometers and measure the temps on the cool side, hot side (using the probe on the unit) and the humidity all at once--and you can read all of them right off the digital screen. It's very convenient and accurate. I picked mine up at my local Wal-Mart.

A thermostat would definitely be a step up from a lamp dimmer--as thermostat's are -way- more accurate. Ranco, Johnsons, Helix and Herpstat are the four most reccomended (that I've noticed on BP.net), I personally use a Herpstat--and as a first-time BP owner and thermostat user, I can say that it is very new user friendly. :)

AzureN1ght,
How much did that Herpstat cost you? Just for future reference. Hopefully the not too distant future! :P