Howdy!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bhsurf4

A lot of Texas folks on here, love it! What about water? I've read it has to be distilled and I've read that you should use a special water conditioner for reptiles. I've been using bottled water but if there is any other info on water type I'd love to hear it.

---

Nope not distilled. Tap is fine. If you drink it they can drink it, I have a 20 long tank. I covered the top with cardboard covered in foil with the circle cut out for the dome light for the CHe. My CHE is on a dimmer and is over her hot side and creates 80 for the ambient.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bhsurf4

Getting my list together for some shopping tomorrow! I know I need a bulb to keep temps up at night, a temp gun, thermostats for lights and uth, and a humidity gauge. I'll get rid of repti-carpet but should I put anything between substrate and glass? Newspapers or paper towels maybe? And what is a good way to increase humidity? I've got a good size water dish and I live in Houston, Texas so humidity shouldn't be a problem, but the A/C in my house has a feature to lower humidity so I want to make sure she's healthy and happy. And I want to thank y'all for giving the advice without making me sound like a horrible stupid person! A lot of times in forums, noobs get ROASTED! So I was a little hesitant to get on here and ask advice, but I'm glad I did. I love animals, and just want to make sure I'm not doing anything that could cause my snake any problems.

---

Sounds good!!! And I'm glad you've found this forum to be welcoming and you're learning already. This forum has a fantastic group of moderators and admins that work hard to make this the award winning forum it is, as well as a core group of members who truly care and love helping others enjoy our passion.

Now to answer your questions:
1) you don't need anything between the surface and substrate. Your BP will rearrange it anyway thro ugh digging and burrowing. Plus, it's easier to spot clean when it's just substrate.

2) I'm guessing humidity won't be too big an issue where you're located. However, I would cut a piece of cardboard to fit your screen lid, cutting out a hole for your heat lamp and a little air flow. Then, wrap the cardboard in aluminum foil secure tape it in place. Just plop that on your screen lid and humidity and heat will hold much better.
During sheds, I put some damp sphangnum moss in their hides to up humidity and help with sheds.

Keep asking and keep learning, we'rehappy to help.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bhsurf4

Also, I'm using aspen shavings right now, but plan on changing to the coconut type when I do a complete change over. But for now I'm wondering if it's ok to feed him in his tank on the aspen, I don't have another tub or dedicated feeder tank and yesterday I heard that you shouldn't feed them on the aspen, which I have already done once. And should I invest in a tub or something as a dedicated feeding place?

---

NO!!! Feed within the enclosure. I've never used a separate feeding tub and never had a substrate issue. Nobody cleans their food in the wild. They digest whole prey, a little aspen shaving or dirt wont hurt. You can also try to lay a piece of cardboard or something down if it eases your mind.

And for the other side of the outdated feeding tub myth: food aggression. Again, been feeding my snakes in their tubs for years, never once has one of my snakes struck at me inside the enclosure. I've been tagged outside, never struck at inside....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bhsurf4

A lot of Texas folks on here, love it! What about water? I've read it has to be distilled and I've read that you should use a special water conditioner for reptiles. I've been using bottled water but if there is any other info on water type I'd love to hear it.

---

Just plain old tap water. Definitely no additives. If we can drink.it, so can they.

Thanks again, I really appreciate y'alls help. I think I got everything set up right and Daisy seems to be really happy. I was worried when I got her because I've heard ball pythons can be picky eaters and very shy snakes that spend most of the time in their hides. Well, not this snake! She has never refused a meal (yet) and when I get home from work I swear she can hear me, because when I walk up to the tank she sticks her head out from her hide and wants to get out and stretch her imaginary legs! Only complaint is that she loves to piss on my bed! Twice now when I've put her down on my bed for a second, BAM, out pops a big urate and a puddle of piss! :O I guess it's alright, easy enough to throw the bedding in the washer and it's always nice to sleep on clean sheets!