Newb question on caging

It would be best to check temps in both the air and surface at this point. Once everything is set up the surface temps are more important.

Thanks! I think that I am pretty close on temps and I will try and get humidity checked over the next couple days and go from there. I just don't want to go and buy substrate intol I get both heat an humidity really close. After that I am going to buy the thermostat and get it setup. I don't think I am going to keep the cool side fixture in there because if anything I am worried it will be a little warm.

ok well with no substrate and temps correct I have a humudity of only 35% with a largish water bowl. Should I go with a aspen bedding or cypress mulch? I wanted to go with aspen because of easy cleanup and it is apparently better for the environment. Any thoughts?

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Originally Posted by whispersinmyhead

ok well with no substrate and temps correct I have a humudity of only 35% with a largish water bowl. Should I go with a aspen bedding or cypress mulch? I wanted to go with aspen because of easy cleanup and it is apparently better for the environment. Any thoughts?

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You could divide the substrate 50-50 In my Lessers tank I am using Bark 50% then Aspen. In My Normals Tank 100% Aspen, I am just trying different things to find a happy Medium

Thanks everyone for all the help on this cage conversion! It has worked out great and saved me a ton of trial an error. I constantly worry about things and become very indecisive. Everyone here has been so friendly and helpful in the threads and all my lengthy and scatter-brained PM's.

Thanks again and here is the pics of the cage! (My new 7month old female pastel just got delivered last night. She was earlier than expected but the breeder had a ways to drive and happened to be coming this way was nice enough to deliver and gave me a great price. I didn't want him to have to make a special trip just for me so I rushed a little to get the substrate in and decorate.)

Here are a few pics of the cage. Gella is in her hide. She was out a little late last night and explored.

Thanks again you helped make my first snake setup a ton easier.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7062/6...62a45d4a2f.jpg
IMG_0049 by Whispersinmyhead, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6...d189e2f7fa.jpg
IMG_0052 by Whispersinmyhead, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7201/6...2694a503a7.jpg
IMG_0054 by Whispersinmyhead, on Flickr

I put moved the dimmer and electrical switches to the cabinet underneath. Just waiting for my Herpstat or VE which was is on order at a local shop but the breeder said he can get me a way better price. For now the temps are stable. I wanted to get the herpstat before but now I can get the bracket to hold the probe made. (Vitals: Hot side is 90-91.5, cool side 79-81, humidity was at 61% this morning. It was at 72% last night but the mulch was fresh).

Thanks
Jim

Wow that looks great, very professional looking. I really like how the light cages are just cable tied together so changing the bulb should be super easy.

Cypress is the best for humidity. Make sure its grade a cypress not a blend. Do not under any circumstance mixed cypress with aspen. Aspen will mold. I run a himidifier in my snake rooms that is connected to the thermostat that controls my room heat. It stays 84 degrees with 60% humidity in the rooms and my racks and caging are all cypress. I do use paper in the fall on some of my girls that have to be temp dropped but most of my girls dont temp drop

Pretty happy with it! I just need to get a herpstat now and prep for her first feeding!

The cypress is 100% cypress zoomed brand.

The zoomed cypress is good stuff. Its way to pricey if you need alot of it but if you are just doing a couple enclosures its great. I get my cypress by the pallets. I usually use kambark but if i cant get it then i get florida gold double milled grade a cypress from corbitt