Cheapest set-up

I've been planning on getting a BP of about 6 years now and somthing always, always stops me from being able too. Cost of the set-up is the main thing. So...... What is the cheapest possible set-up I can make for a BP without wiring anything or using flexwatt?

Go buy a rubbermaid tub from Wal-mart for 10-20 bucks(Even though it's the cheapest cage to get, it's probably the best thing to use for environment controll) Then get 1 digital thermometre with probe to place inside the hot side hot box, then get a 2nd Digital Therm/Hydro combo to read ambient and humidity. If your not into wires then buy an UTH=Under The Tank Heat Pad and all you have to do is plug it into the wall.

Tub - $20 Max
Digi Therm - $10
Digi Combo - $20-$25
UTH - $15-$30 (depends on size you get)

I'd say if you wanted a cheap and easy set up then $60-$75 is what you are looking at.

But how do I get the temps right?

The question should not be 'what is the cheapest setup?'....it should be 'what is the best setup?' If you cut corners with the enclosure, then you will most likely have to pay more down the road for vet bills.

Don't get any animal unless you can afford to take care of it properly.

Other than that little spill..... hockeyfan's list sounds pretty good....although depending on the temperatures inside the room you may need a secondary heat source(figure another $20). Also, with any UTH a thermostat is always recommended($40 min).

After all of that you should have a pretty decent setup. Now when you start looking around for ball pythons cheapest is usually not good. So shop around. I speak from experience when i say that it sucks when you spend alot of money on an enclosure but your ball python dies 3 days later because the seller that you got it from was selling sick animals at a cheap price to get rid of them.

keep the temps stable with a thermostat. Tubs are a great way to go and make all around husbandry so much easier and time effective. However I don't think you should look for the "cheapest setup" when preparing for a new animal considering that is where it will spend its life outside of handling. Tubs are cheap but very affective...I guess what I'm trying to say is if you don't think you can afford the proper equipment then wait which it sounds like you have been doing. "Cheap" shouldn't be foremost reason for doing something when it comes to keeping reptiles.

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Originally Posted by Shadow

But how do I get the temps right?

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That is why the best way to setup for any snake is setup the enclosure before you acutually buy the snake. Work on buying the proper enclosure equipment, then set everything up and work on getting the temperatures right. After your temperatures are correct, then purchase the snake.

I'm fully capable of knowing whether or not I can afford an animal. I do not skimp on cost when it really matters. I just spent over $1,000 on my beloved ferret whom had cancer and recently had to be put down . I'm considering a BP again because I've been studying up in them for 6 years and I figured it'd be a good comfort to me. Perhaps I worded it wrong, how about the most affordable set-up. not everyone can afford to run out and buy a thermostat and I'm sure they still have snakes. I've had plenty of experience with animals of every sort and I don't just rush into things and then end up not being able to handle it.
Anyway, what about a Rheostat, would that work?

Lamp Dimmers from Home Depot work just fine and I would recommend one if just for one snake, you can get plug in lamp dimmers were all you have to do is plug the UTH pad into it and then plug the dimmer into the wall. This will allow you to keep the temp up or down. They are about $20.

Just wanted to add that a secondary heat source is probably not needed so don't worry about that. Unless your keeping your cage in the freezer or outside then between the room temp it's in and the UTH you should be just fine.

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Originally Posted by HockeyFan2kx

Lamp Dimmers from Home Depot work just fine and I would recommend one if just for one snake, you can get plug in lamp dimmers were all you have to do is plug the UTH pad into it and then plug the dimmer into the wall. This will allow you to keep the temp up or down. They are about $20

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Thanks!

Got rid of that double post for ya pal ;)

Rheostats work alright, but thermostats are best. IMO...it basically depends on how much you want to worry about your setup. Rheostats can adjust the heating element but the temps can still vary alot. So you have to 'fiddle' with them in order to keep a more constant temp. With a thermostat, it keeps the heat source temperature constant....no matter what the room temps are.

For $20 more you will have alot less worry: http://www.mgreptiles.com/ZOOSTAT.html