Son getting ball python. Cage setup help please

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

You might be able to find the reptitemp 500r at the show you are going to. If you can't find it there, just get a $10 dimmer from home depot to temporarily control the UTH (use the other for the lamp) and then order the thermostat online.

Tape in the enclosure is a bad idea because they can easily get stuck to it. When you get your thermostat, place the probe directly on the UTH OUTSIDE the enclosure. This makes sure that the snake can't mess with it or move it off the UTH. If the probe is moved off the UTH it will spike, cooking the snake.

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Ok that is true. I will look for a tstat at the show. Im sure they got one there.. They got everything else there lol.

Also i got one dimmer switch that is controlling the UTH and lamp. So if i were to get another dimmer switch it would have to be just as long of a wait as the tstat.

So what imma do is look for a tstat at the show pick one up. Hook that up to the UTH. Now the thing is the UTH is already stuck to underside of cage (dont look at me i didnt do it :P)

So how should i place the probe?

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Originally Posted by f4n70m

Yea i may just order one online but then idk when it will get here. We are getting snake on sat.

So would you agree with the one i posted? Or would that not be to good and should order one online?

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Order it online if its cheaper, petco should have it. It shouldnt take over 5 business days to get to you, for regular shipping.

I guess either one really would work its just which ever you prefer.
- reptitemp500r comes with a cover so you dont bump the dial*

You can try and take it off, I do it all the time w/o problems.

Also, I would shut the the uth off and wait till you get the tstat. Use the dimmer and lower the heat lamp so it keeps the ambient temps in the cage at about 82. Thats a lot safer then cookin' him. He'll be fine w.o heat for a little bit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by f4n70m

Ok that is true. I will look for a tstat at the show. Im sure they got one there.. They got everything else there lol.

Also i got one dimmer switch that is controlling the UTH and lamp. So if i were to get another dimmer switch it would have to be just as long of a wait as the tstat.

So what imma do is look for a tstat at the show pick one up. Hook that up to the UTH. Now the thing is the UTH is already stuck to underside of cage (dont look at me i didnt do it :P)

So how should i place the probe?

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Why would you have to wait to get another dimmer? You can pick them up at the home depot.

Doesn't matter that the UTH is already stuck. Most people don't use the sticky that comes with the UTH so they can re-use them on different tanks.

Thermostat probe goes OUTSIDE the enclosure right on the UTH. Just tape it directly to the UTH.

Your accurite probe goes right on the glass over the UTH (under the substrate).

Im going to check the show. Cuz they sell like everything. Bags of frozen mice, tanks, everything lol

Im sure someone somewhere will have one.

Also if i got my acu rite probe on the UTH atm should i just take it off when i got a tstat? or leave it on? Cuz i got the probe on the uth and the box sitting inside the cage to the back right. and the wires hidden under the substrate

Also any advise on how to take it off? Cuz i hear once u take it off its ruined :P Dont want to ruin it just yet :P

Also Kaorte what do i do with the extra wire lol? Can it just be left under the substrate?

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Originally Posted by Animals As Leaders

The repti-therm is a piece and what he has pictured there IS a good unit for the time being. I don't agree that these are not good therm's and really do get the job done. I would reccomend buying a better one as time goes on, but in NO way is this unit a piece of junk. DO make sure about that probe!! If it moves and is NOT on the UTH you have BIG problem.

I don't know why you would even say how a dimmer is in anyway as reliable as a thermostat. You have to correct it ALL the time. Whenever the temp around it changes so does your belly heat. How is this AS good as something MAKING sure it doesn't go above X? No logic there sorry.

And a 10 is TOTALLY a better idea. It's tried and proved that bigger spaces can cause issues. Who are you to say otherwise? Its not saying that they will, but why risk it? A 10 gallon tank is 12 dollars at petco? I hate shopping at these stores, but I am not waiting 10-14 days for something I can go get there. I DO NOT buy animals from there ever.

Also, once he outgrows the 10 you can find 20 longs for like 20 bucks as well which are better suited for these snakes.

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Calm down :P

I only got the reptitemp because multiple people on here recommended it.

I said that the one he has pictured is nice because of the suction cup, and the auto turn of but theres really no need for the auto turn off because it has a suction cup!!! lol. Over heating from sunlight, everyone knows not to have it in direct sunlight.

My point about the dimmer is that if your probe for the tstat isnt secured you have to adjust it all the time also, thus making it just as much as a hassle. (that is the logic, its there)


Well, I am I<3Dreamsicles, and I say otherwise :rolleye2:

You dont need to prove anything, everyone knows that some snakes have problems with excess space. Also, every snake is different. What risk is there? You see that your snake is stressed, so you put it in a smaller enclosure, end of problem. Or if your like me, you never have a problem. If the tank is cluttered and there is adequate hiding space throughout there wont be any problems.


Yeah 10g tank is like 15-20 at the stores, and then you also would need a screen top, clips for the top, a 10g size UTH, ETC. Then when you want a bigger tank you have to re-buy all of that stuff. :gj:
Also, he already has his tank, and its set up so why not...

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Originally Posted by f4n70m

Im going to check the show. Cuz they sell like everything. Bags of frozen mice, tanks, everything lol

Im sure someone somewhere will have one.

Also if i got my acu rite probe on the UTH atm should i just take it off when i got a tstat? or leave it on? Cuz i got the probe on the uth and the box sitting inside the cage to the back right. and the wires hidden under the substrate

Also any advise on how to take it off? Cuz i hear once u take it off its ruined :P Dont want to ruin it just yet :P

Also Kaorte what do i do with the extra wire lol? Can it just be left under the substrate?

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Leave the probe where it is. You need it there to monitor the temps of the heat pad. The reptitemp doesn't display temperatures so you need the accurite there so you know you have dialed it to the right temperature.

You do NOT need to remove the UTH to use a thermostat. many people recommend putting the thermostat probe in between the UTH and the glass, but it isn't necessary.

I usually just tie up the extra cord and put it behind the accurite unit. You could run the extra wire outside the tank though, so there isn't a bunch of wire all over the tank. That would not be fun to clean if it got crapped on.

is a thermo rheo and a dimmer all the same thing??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by f4n70m

Im going to check the show. Cuz they sell like everything. Bags of frozen mice, tanks, everything lol

Im sure someone somewhere will have one.

Also if i got my acu rite probe on the UTH atm should i just take it off when i got a tstat? or leave it on? Cuz i got the probe on the uth and the box sitting inside the cage to the back right. and the wires hidden under the substrate

Also any advise on how to take it off? Cuz i hear once u take it off its ruined :P Dont want to ruin it just yet :P

Also Kaorte what do i do with the extra wire lol? Can it just be left under the substrate?

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Ah yes, I assume rodent pro will be there. Get there earily to buy your mice! They sell out quick lol. Theyre really cheap in bulk too. Trust me you dont want to be going to petsmart to get mice. Its like $12 for 6. Or at rodent pro you can get like 100 for $16-30 depending on the size.

Leave the acurite probe on the UTH, you still want to be able to read the temps incase for some reason it gets to high or low.

There are guides on here on how to get off a UTH, you just have to make sure you dont bend it. I dont see any reason to take it off though.

As for extra wire, I assume you mean for the accurite probe? I just leave mine in the substrate/on it. Its still twisty tied up though.

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Originally Posted by dembonez

is a thermo rheo and a dimmer all the same thing??

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Dimmer and Rheo are the same thing, Thermostat is a Thermostat :D