HE SAID YES! Expo tomorrow, might get snake! Need answers to a few questions!

Dad confirmed I could get a ball python! :banana::dance: There's a reptile expo tomorrow that hopefully if I'm feeling well enough(been sick, think it's stress related from not asking Dad. Or at least hoping that's the problem.) and I might get the snake tomorrow!
I have the bin, and I'm sure I can just make two hides for the snake, I have a water bowl, and I have a soldering iron to drill holes.
I need a thermometer(I could actually pick up hides from walmart when I go there)
And could I just use a dimmer until I get a thermostat? It's not the most recommended thing in the world, but it will work for about a week, right? (I'd be keeping close eye on temps)
The expos should have UTHs right?
And, how many rats/mice should I get?
What should I get today before I get a snake tomorrow?

YAY congrats. I know you've been hoping for this for a long time. A dimmer will be okay temporarily as long as you watch the temps and check them multiple times a day. I found these AWESOME plastic bowls, 3 for $1 at the dollar store. I used scissors to cut a hole and used a lighter to smooth out the edges...VIOLA you have 3 hides for $1! Congrats, good luck, and post pics!!!!

Thank you! I'm so excited! I can get a dimmer at lowes, right? A dimmer+I think I'll get the accurite there.(I love those thermometers.)
Dad's not sure he wants to put his soldering iron through plastic, so I might drill the holes then melt them with a lighter.
Any certain amount of holes I should put in it? IDK, I'm so excited though. XD I want to make sure he's happy. I'll be sure to post pictures ASAP. I'm already thinking of a name(Matsuda) but I'll have to look at him and see if there's another name I like.

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Originally Posted by fluffpuffgerbil

Thank you! I'm so excited! I can get a dimmer at lowes, right? A dimmer+I think I'll get the accurite there.(I love those thermometers.)
Dad's not sure he wants to put his soldering iron through plastic, so I might drill the holes then melt them with a lighter.
Any certain amount of holes I should put in it? IDK, I'm so excited though. XD I want to make sure he's happy. I'll be sure to post pictures ASAP. I'm already thinking of a name(Matsuda) but I'll have to look at him and see if there's another name I like.

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Drilling, if you're not careful, will crack the tub. You can get a solder wand while you're at Walmart or Lowes for about $10.

Start with less holes than more. You can always add more if you need them (judge if you have enough by the humidity reading). You can't un-do holes if you do too many and your humidity is too low. Though a plastic tub isn't too expensive to replace.

Some shows will carry UTH's, some don't. Fingers crossed. And yes, you can use a light dimmer until you can get a good thermostat.

Alright! Have fun picking one out. I remember the first Expo I went to- I was like a kid in a candy store. We want pictures when you get s/he home! Good luck;)

Soldering irons work fantastic on plastic and don't hurt the iron a bit, you don't want to drill plastic tubs if you don't have to.
Start with 4-5 hole per side, you can always add holes if you find the humidity is too high.
Dimmers work if the room temperature doesn't go up and down a lot, if the rooms ambient temperature rises 5 degrees so does the snakes uth.
There is a couple of different inexpensive thermostats online for under $30 delivered, repti-temp 500r and hydrofarm digital to name 2.

Good luck shopping at the show :gj:

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Drilling, if you're not careful, will crack the tub. You can get a solder wand while you're at Walmart or Lowes for about $10.

Start with less holes than more. You can always add more if you need them (judge if you have enough by the humidity reading). You can't un-do holes if you do too many and your humidity is too low. Though a plastic tub isn't too expensive to replace.

Some shows will carry UTH's, some don't. Fingers crossed. And yes, you can use a light dimmer until you can get a good thermostat.

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Yes, I had that problem once before with the drill cracking the plastic. I could just go buy my own. XD
I'll see if I can go out and get my stuff today. :3
**SO EXCITED*

YAY that is AWESOME!!!!

Thats pretty awesome!!!! I always ask what and when the BP eats, go to every vendor first and see what they have to offer then go back and revisit the ones you like, ask to hold it and check out its temperament, try to bargain with the vendor and compare. Oh yea, before it goes in the enclosure for a week take some quick pics and let us see them.

Remember no matter how tempted you are leave it alone until it's time.

Thanks for the info, Jedi! I can be pretty impulsive at times, but I'll be sure to ask around, and hold it, make sure it's nice. I was already planning to make sure I ask what and when it eats. I don't want a live feeder. I want a f/t feeder.