Enclosures and extras, what would you recommend??

I am new ball python owner and currently have him in a reptile aquarium that I purchased from the local pet store. Is that suitable for him? It's a 20 gallon tank, I believe. He is on shavings as his substrate and has a water bowl, a tree hide, and a rock hide. Is there something better, or more suitable, for him? Also, I currently have an infrared heat lamp and a temp gauge. I have done some reading and it seems that I need to do something in regards to the humidity in his enclosure. Are there any recommendations as to what I could do to improve his environment, and help to ensure he stays healthy? Thanks in advance to all who reply!!

Do a search... Good luck.:D

Ok.
Heat bulbs are not really recommended for ball pythons, and temperature gauges are extremely inaccurate (you need digital only).

This is something how your tank should be set up. If he eats ok in the 20g, then that cage is fine, but if he refuses to eat then you might need to lower the enclosure size. Try to feed a week after getting him and don't handle him AT ALL during that week.

You need a UTH and Thermostat to control the temperature. You'll also need a couple probe thermometers and hygrometers for humidity.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...t-Up-guide.jpg

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Originally Posted by jls6214

Are there any recommendations as to what I could do to improve his environment, and help to ensure he stays healthy? Thanks in advance to all who reply!!

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My opinion is before you start putting money into making the cage pretty, put it into the things that will keep your snake healthy. Start off with:

1) Thermostat- Dpending on your budget and what style you choose these will run from about $25- $150.

2) Under Tank Heater- several different brands available. the best size will cover approx. 1/2 to 2/3 of the floor area of your tank.

3) Digital thermometer/hygrometer- The little stick-on dial type are notorious for giving inaccurate readings.

Alot of you humidity issues are coming from 2 places: 1) the heat lamp, because they get so hot, and 2) an open screen top. Here is a link to some pics I posted on what I did to cover the screen. Basically it's just cutting some cardboard into panels that fit across the sceen and wrapping them in foil. You can add or remove panels as necessary to help control humidity.

http://www.repticzone.com/forums/mes...hon/2/93/main/

To make the snake feel more secure in the tank you should cover the back and 2 ends. You can use aquarium scenery, cloth, paper, cardboard, cork board,etc...

There are too many suggestions and ideas so I'm gonna leave it at this for now...


Rob

By temp gauges, I meant that I have a digital thermometer. Thank you very much for the reply and the info!! I have a list of things that I am going to pick up for him and get him set up right!! :D

And thank you for the cage set-up pic!!! That helps tremendously!!

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

My opinion is before you start putting money into making the cage pretty, put it into the things that will keep your snake healthy. Start off with:

1) Thermostat- Dpending on your budget and what style you choose these will run from about $25- $150.

2) Under Tank Heater- several different brands available. the best size will cover approx. 1/2 to 2/3 of the floor area of your tank.

3) Digital thermometer/hygrometer- The little stick-on dial type are notorious for giving inaccurate readings.

Alot of you humidity issues are coming from 2 places: 1) the heat lamp, because they get so hot, and 2) an open screen top. Here is a link to some pics I posted on what I did to cover the screen. Basically it's just cutting some cardboard into panels that fit across the sceen and wrapping them in foil. You can add or remove panels as necessary to help control humidity.

http://www.repticzone.com/forums/mes...hon/2/93/main/

To make the snake feel more secure in the tank you should cover the back and 2 ends. You can use aquarium scenery, cloth, paper, cardboard, cork board,etc...

There are too many suggestions and ideas so I'm gonna leave it at this for now...


Rob

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Thanks Rob! Thats exactly what I want to do!! I want to have him well taken care of first, then maybe work a bit on the asthetics. I really appreciate the help!!

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Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

Ok.
Heat bulbs are not really recommended for ball pythons, and temperature gauges are extremely inaccurate (you need digital only).

This is something how your tank should be set up. If he eats ok in the 20g, then that cage is fine, but if he refuses to eat then you might need to lower the enclosure size. Try to feed a week after getting him and don't handle him AT ALL during that week.

You need a UTH and Thermostat to control the temperature. You'll also need a couple probe thermometers and hygrometers for humidity.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...t-Up-guide.jpg

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Sorry, I have one more question....for now...:D.....Should the thermometer probes be placed on the side or the bottom of the tank?

An under tank heater is the best for heating! This will help with humidity and a large shallow water dish helps! Also no one mentioned the temps, cool side-80 and warm side 90. Try to get the temps as close to this as possible. They will go up and down a little but don't worry! Also I like using coconut husk for a substrate but that's a personal choice! I also use a 20 gallon tank with no issues!

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Originally Posted by jls6214

Sorry, I have one more question....for now...:D.....Should the thermometer probes be placed on the side or the bottom of the tank?

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LOL!!! Nevermind, I just READ the note on your set-up pic...says plainly to put them under the substrate!! SORRY!!! :rolleye2:

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Originally Posted by seeya205

An under tank heater is the best for heating! This will help with humidity and a large shallow water dish helps! Also no one mentioned the temps, cool side-80 and warm side 90. Try to get the temps as close to this as possible. They will go up and down a little but don't worry! Also I like using coconut husk for a substrate but that's a personal choice! I also use a 20 gallon tank with no issues!

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How long would my 20 gallon tank support my bp? Already planning for the future!! Do you think I would need to eventually upgrade in size?

You may need to upgrade depending on how big the snake gets! A male would propably be okay all of its life but a female would eventually need an upgrade! A 20 long will last you a long time though!

... He is on shavings as his substrate and has a water bowl, a tree hide, and a rock hide.

Just was wondering what kind of shavings you're using as substrate... as suggested coconut husks are fine, as are aspen shavings and good ol' newspaper, and there are many other options. However, commonly sold pine and cedar shavings are toxic to ball pythons and shouldn't be used. So please make sure that your substrate doesn't contain any pine or cedar.

I've enjoyed using a fine aspen shaving in my tubs for the past year or so. Great for spot cleaning with a nice woodsy smell. Just my opinion.

Best of luck to you.

Star

uth on warm side with control/dimmer 92d.
place hide on warm side
use lamp on cool side with control/dimmer 82d
cover 3 sides of tank with something dark.
I place the probe just on top of the subsrate because this will be the exact temp to which the snake will be laying. Usually the snake will lay right on it.Just what i do.

If your not using a thermostat it is important to be able to control your heat sources because the temps in the room will fluctuate. Keep the temps in the room constant and your heat temps will stay more consistant. Or you be adjusting your heat sources constantly. A temp gun will be a good friend.

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Originally Posted by starfire

... He is on shavings as his substrate and has a water bowl, a tree hide, and a rock hide.

Just was wondering what kind of shavings you're using as substrate... as suggested coconut husks are fine, as are aspen shavings and good ol' newspaper, and there are many other options. However, commonly sold pine and cedar shavings are toxic to ball pythons and shouldn't be used. So please make sure that your substrate doesn't contain any pine or cedar.

I've enjoyed using a fine aspen shaving in my tubs for the past year or so. Great for spot cleaning with a nice woodsy smell. Just my opinion.

Best of luck to you.

Star

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He's definitely on aspen shavings. I read that in my book, but it doesnt help with a lot of the details into setting up the habitat. Thank you and everyone else! I feel much better knowing I have a community of bp owners to rely on for advice!

also, i dont think ive seen it, but if its a glass aquarium, just cover over 3/4 of the sides with dark paper or something to increase security ^-^

as for substrate, i use paper towels. ditch the heat lamp!

Well, I should have everything that I ordered for my bp today. I have a UTH, thermostat, two digital thermometers, hygrometer, repti-carpet, and a refill of aspen shavings!!! I hope he likes the new setup!! Thanks again to all that replied!! It is very much appreciated!! :gj:

Just something a lot of people here say but two hides that are identical are recommended. Some snakes will pick the hide they like the most even if they need heat or to cool down and this can cause them harm. Also, I use a tank for both of mine and I use a lamp for the cool side. It does suck out humidity and if you use a higher wattage or a CHE then thats more humidity lost. I have three sides of my tank covered with foam core board and the humidity stays at 50 for both of mine when not in shed. A way you can raise the humidity when it needs to be raised it changing the substrate to one that holds humidity more and/or misting. Now, don't soak it, but misting can help. I mist for mine when they are in shed. Also, most snakes will burrow into the substrate so its best to place the probe on the tank bottom itself under the sub. Some snakes might not burrow, but mine def. do.

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Originally Posted by MsPrada

Just something a lot of people here say but two hides that are identical are recommended. Some snakes will pick the hide they like the most even if they need heat or to cool down and this can cause them harm. Also, I use a tank for both of mine and I use a lamp for the cool side. It does suck out humidity and if you use a higher wattage or a CHE then thats more humidity lost. I have three sides of my tank covered with foam core board and the humidity stays at 50 for both of mine when not in shed. A way you can raise the humidity when it needs to be raised it changing the substrate to one that holds humidity more and/or misting. Now, don't soak it, but misting can help. I mist for mine when they are in shed. Also, most snakes will burrow into the substrate so its best to place the probe on the tank bottom itself under the sub. Some snakes might not burrow, but mine def. do.

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Thanks for the info! I was curious about that because he seems to prefer the rock hide over the other, but still climbs on the other. I think I'll replace my tree hide with another rock hide. After cleaning out his tank and installing all of the new equipment, I am looking at 92 on the warm side and 82-83 on the cool side! Much better than what I was getting with the heat lamp alone!!

My next thing to tackle will be the humidity. I am going to cover the screen lid to help hold some of that in. Right now, it is at 45, which I know needs to be higher, so I'm making that my current priority.

Thanks for the info! Much appreciated!!