Son getting ball python. Cage setup help please

Ok so first of my little boy wants to get a ball python (getting it from all Ohio retile show)

Now I want to make sure this animal is taken care of the right way so here is my cage layout so far

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/5756/cage.jpg
The tank is a 29 gallon tank with a screen lid

Now as you see in the pic to the left side I have a little UTH, and above that I have a little rock hide. In the middle is a water bowl and to the right of that is like a little fake wood rough thing he can sort of hide in/rub against. This has all been given to me from a friend who no longer needed it. Now I also have a heat lamp that has a 150w infrared bulb in it. When the meter is under the bulb there is no humidity and the temp is around 100. Now tomorrow I will be hooking it up to a dimmer for the time being until I can get something a little better. Using dimmer to tone down the UTH/heat lamp. This is also with no substrate but the temp in the room is reading 75 deg with 28% humidity.
I figured once I added some substrate to the bottom it would raise the humidity. (Thinking Repti Bark or eco earth) I also read somewhere that a mix of both 50/50 is better than using 100% of just one.

Now as I said before I will hook the UTH and the lamp up to a dimmer to tone down how hot it’s getting until I can get something better. My question is what should I change/ do differently. Money is a bit of an object atm so if it could remain cheap for now. But down the road I’m going to invest in something a little bit better so please list the cheapest way to change what needs to be changed but also what is best.
Thanks for reading this just want to make sure the cage is going to be good enough for a ball python we will be picking one up this Saturday so I would like to try to get it all set up and at the right temp/humidity before Friday

If this is a baby ball python, go with a 10g. They are very inexpensive at shows.

I would also get two identical hides, one for the spot on the UTH and one for the spot where the fake wood is. Having two hides is pretty essential for a ball python since they like to sit in their hides 90% of the time.

Make sure you are measuring your temps with a digital thermometer with a probe, right on the surface of the glass where the UTH is. You want to measure the hottest point the snake can get to inside the tank. Even with substrate, they can still move it to get on the glass.

Is it a baby or a young BP you are getting? If so you can save some money right off the bat by only using a 10gal tank. The 29 gal are so tall it will be very hard for you to maintain heat and humidity. The UTH should be big enough to take up about 1/3 the tank on one far side but no more than that. You really cant go by what the box says for a UTH. Natures heat will not get warm enough I have learned. I read in another thread that the one that says for rainforest type usage, will not get warm enough either. So stay away from those 2 and you should be ok. If you need a lamp as well to keep ambient temps up to about 80 or so then you will want either a smaller tank or a reptile tank which is shorter but deeper than fish tanks.

2 hides are best. One on each side. Then put decorative wood thing next to one hide or in the center. I just told another member too that you can save money by going to the dollar store, buying a couple plastic cereal bowls that the snake can fit in rather tightly, cut a hole in one side and there ya go. A cheap hide that can be replaced when it has been outgrown.

Dont forget a thermometer/hygrometer. The one most of us use is the accurite you can get at walmart. It has a probe and measures both.

It is typically a good idea to have 2 tight fitting hides. One on the warm side (as you have pictured) and also one on the cool side. That way your BP won't have to sacrifice temperature preference for the sake of being in a hide.

What size ball python are you aiming for? I believe your tank is a bit large for a baby to feel comfortable in. If you do get a baby, you could try sectioning off a portion of the tank.

As i said everything i got atm was given to me from a friend. Also forgot it has a flukers hygrometer/thermometer placed like above the UTH near the top of the cage. I can try to find another hide just like it(he says it was bought at petland not to long ago pretty sure they still have it.)

Also how much is the accurite one? Would the flukers not be good enough?

OK, So how big/small this new pickup going to be? If a baby then you have way tons of room. So a few hides small from the warm side to the cool side. Tupperware or those disposable ziploc can be modified into hides.
The ground I would choose is Aspen or paper towels or newspaper.
I would invest in a temperature gun to measure the ground and surface temps. Good digital temp & humidity guage is a must.
Now I am not particularly into the red heat bulbs but that is just me. I like the ceramic heaters. They cost a bit but worth it.

Hope this helped some.

Oh Im sure the Flukers is no different than Accurite. Its just the fact that its a brand which is marketed FOR reptile/pet use. Which means it will cost more. Its just a brand difference. Anything purchased from a pet store is more expensive. The Accurite one is by all the other thermometers and weather stations in Walmart near the hardware and cost about $10.00.

I paid twice that for just a hygrometer at a pet store a couple years ago.

Ok so this stuff is being given to you. Then just get one more hide and make sure you have what you need to control and monitor temps/humidity and you should be fine. Is the snake being given to you or are you going to pick one out?

If you are planning to buy one yourself try to find one that is about a year old. A tiny baby will likely stress in such a big tank.

Figure this would be better

Pic of the water dish
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/3899/dsc01255yf.jpg

The rock hide
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/3909/dsc01257x.jpg

Size of it inside *bottom view*
http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/3244/dsc01258k.jpg

The little wooden rough thing (what to call it lol?)
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/874/dsc01259w.jpg

Then this is the flukers hygrometer/therm.
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/2893/dsc01262vr.jpg

I will goto petland and try to get another of the same hide.

Also the temp is very high with the 150w infrared bulb. When i plug this into a dimmer and dim it down that will reduce heat correct? And i can do the same for the UTH? it covers a little less then 1/3 of the cage

Also as for humidity it has like none in the cage(bad i know with the heat lamp at full 150w around 100 deg.)

So i figure once i hook it up to a dimmer and it wont output as much heat it will allow for more humidity and once i add substrate it will raise the humidity. What substrate would u suggest? Flukers is reading 31% humidity just in my room alone so it needs raised by what 30%?

Also as to where im buying it. From here
http://www.allohioshows.com/

Its a show that comes once a month been there a few times. A bunch of breeders to buy from. Can choose whatever breeder has the snake i want :)

Also as for the cage i was told it was a 29 gallon tank. The lid is thr same size as a 29 gallon one.

Size of cage is

30L x 12.5W x 13 deep

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by f4n70m

Figure this would be better


I will goto petland and try to get another of the same hide.

Also the temp is very high with the 150w infrared bulb. When i plug this into a dimmer and dim it down that will reduce heat correct? And i can do the same for the UTH? it covers a little less then 1/3 of the cage

Also as for humidity it has like none in the cage(bad i know with the heat lamp at full 150w around 100 deg.)

So i figure once i hook it up to a dimmer and it wont output as much heat it will allow for more humidity and once i add substrate it will raise the humidity. What substrate would u suggest? Flukers is reading 31% humidity just in my room alone so it needs raised by what 30%?

Also as to where im buying it. From here
http://www.allohioshows.com/

Its a show that comes once a month been there a few times. A bunch of breeders to buy from. Can choose whatever breeder has the snake i want :)

---

That hide will be fine for hatchlings and young ball pythons, but he may grow out of it quickly. If you are getting an adult it will not fit in that hide.

The humidity should be at 60-70%. Get rid of that heat lamp, it is not needed and will only suck humidity, and they aren't really good for ball pythons in general.

The belly heat from the UTH has to be hooked up to dimmer or it will be too hot. Get a probe thermometer as well to place directly on the UTH (on the glass under the substrate) and make sure it reads about 95F.

What do you plan on using for substrate? Aspen, Cypress, or newspaper are all good choices. Don't use sand, cedar, pine or reptile carpets.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

What do you plan on using for substrate? Aspen, Cypress, or newspaper are all good choices. Don't use sand, cedar, pine or reptile carpets.

---

Well when i used just a UTH i cant get the temp of the cage to go past 75 deg. So thats when i tried the heat lamp and it went into like 90-100. for the cage temp.

Also as for substrate idk. I hear eco earth or Repti Bark is good. Or a 50/50 mixture of both. Something that would raise the humidity seeing as its lacking in the room period.

By dimmer do you mean a thermostat? or just a dimmer type switch? You can use a bedding to help raise humidity like cyprus. The aspen bedding is more like to mold pretty fast and doesnt hold up to frequent sprayings like the cyprus does. Most people just use a thick layer of paper towles and mist it down every day. The filled water bowl should help humidity. Covering the lid most of the way will also help. Get some little feet or those plastic chair risers under the tank to hold it up off the table and off the UTH cord. If its actually too hot this will help some heat escape and will save your table from cracking because of the high heat.

Having humidity too low is a big cause of RI in ball pythons so its very important.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by f4n70m

Well when i used just a UTH i cant get the temp of the cage to go past 75 deg. So thats when i tried the heat lamp and it went into like 90-100. for the cage temp.

Also as for substrate idk. I hear eco earth or Repti Bark is good. Or a 50/50 mixture of both. Something that would raise the humidity seeing as its lacking in the room period.

---

Get a lower wattage bulb. You can even use just a regular 60 watt household bulb. They put off alot of heat. Just remember to plug it into a timer or turn it off in the evening. Try to keep the amount of light they get to match the sun. When you have the extra $$ try to find a low wattage ceramic heat emitter bulb. They put off no light. Just heat. They last forever. Up to 2 years or so if not jarred around and turned on/off all the time. I have one Ive been using with a spare tank for over a year now and its going strong.

What about if i got a 75W infrared bulb? I seen em at petsmart would that be good? I hear if u get that you will not have to turn it off in the evenings? Also and by dimmer i mean just a dimmer type switch for the time being.

When you say "try to find a low wattage ceramic heat emitter bulb" what wattage we talking? Im sure i could pick one up if it would work better then the infrared bulbs. But i got one lamp so would that bet better off then the infrared bulb?

Hmm i see the ceramic heat bulbs are like $40. Should i just pick up a 75W infrared bulb for now then get one of them later? Also as for substrate what should i get?? Is repti bark or eco earth good?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by f4n70m

Well when i used just a UTH i cant get the temp of the cage to go past 75 deg. So thats when i tried the heat lamp and it went into like 90-100. for the cage temp.

Also as for substrate idk. I hear eco earth or Repti Bark is good. Or a 50/50 mixture of both. Something that would raise the humidity seeing as its lacking in the room period.

---

The UTH only heats the bottom surface on the tank and only raises the tank temp a few degrees. The problem with the flukers is the placement in the tank. The snake will never be at the top of the tank so you shouldn't measure temps there. Also, you need a digital thermometer with a probe to measure the temp right on the class where the UTH is. The Accurite has this. It is about $12 at the home depot, lowes, and walmart.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kaorte

The UTH only heats the bottom surface on the tank and only raises the tank temp a few degrees. The problem with the flukers is the placement in the tank. The snake will never be at the top of the tank so you shouldn't measure temps there. Also, you need a digital thermometer with a probe to measure the temp right on the class where the UTH is. The Accurite has this. It is about $12 at the home depot, lowes, and walmart.

---

I will pick one of them up tomorrow to measure the UTH. What temp should the UTH be at??

Also where should i put the flukers at? Its currently at the top left. Im sure i could move it to where it would be better suited. Also if u were to use any sort of lamp is it better to leave the lamp over the UTH or put the UTH on one side and the lamp on the other?

Also any suggestions on substrate?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by f4n70m

I will pick one of them up tomorrow to measure the UTH. What temp should the UTH be at??

Also where should i put the flukers at? Its currently at the top left. Im sure i could move it to where it would be better suited. Also if u were to use any sort of lamp is it better to leave the lamp over the UTH or put the UTH on one side and the lamp on the other?

Also any suggestions on substrate?

---

UTh should be no hotter than 95*F. I shoot for 90-92*F.

I would move the flukers to an inch or two above the bottom of the tank on the hot side. You can then put the accurite unit on the cool side to get temps and humidity over there.

A lamp should only be used if the air temps are below 75*F. If they are low, get a low wattage light and place it over the cool side (side opposite the UTH). That way the lamp doesn't suck too much humidity and help bring up ambient temps.

I personally use paper towels with all my animals. Works just fine :)

okkk :)

Kaorte is right. If you cover the tank and can keep your air temp in the tank right then you dont need a lamp. If you do need a lamp the black or red "night" bulbs from the pet store are good so you dont need to turn them off but they dont last very long. Pick up a spare for when the one you have burns out. Thats why I brought up the ceramic heat emitters. Yes they are expensive but if it is needed to keep the temps up it is well worth it in the long run. Think about that $40.00 for a bulb lasting you well over a year or so (cheaper on ebay). Add up the cost of about 4 to 6 infrared bulbs for a year.

Lamps are not preferred but if needed its the cheapest way to go in the long run. First try covering the top of the tank with foil or place mats or something to keep heat in. See how that works. Check the DIY (do it yourself) threads here and the husbandry threads to get more ideas.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

Kaorte is right. If you cover the tank and can keep your air temp in the tank right then you dont need a lamp. If you do need a lamp the black or red "night" bulbs from the pet store are good so you dont need to turn them off but they dont last very long. Pick up a spare for when the one you have burns out. Thats why I brought up the ceramic heat emitters. Yes they are expensive but if it is needed to keep the temps up it is well worth it in the long run. Think about that $40.00 for a bulb lasting you well over a year or so (cheaper on ebay). Add up the cost of about 4 to 6 infrared bulbs for a year.

Lamps are not preferred but if needed its the cheapest way to go in the long run. First try covering the top of the tank with foil or place mats or something to keep heat in. See how that works. Check the DIY (do it yourself) threads here and the husbandry threads to get more ideas.

---

ok i will also be going to pick up some substrate im thinking eco earth to help the humidity or aspen. Good or No?

Also rather i use the lamp or not will depend on how the cage is with some sort of substrate in it

I personally don't like eco earth because it is basically dirt and is a nightmare to clean. But if you are having humidity issues, go for it.

just picked up some coco husk. to help with hudmity should I mix it with anything? like aspen? and I'm omw to walmart now to get accu rite thing

I use and recommend Aspen bedding. Also I use UTH and Heat bulb on warm side. To raise humidity in the tank I use Sphagnum Moss, it works well and the snakes love getting inside of a little hide I made from it. I also have two pieces that they can climb up on and hang down on, they love them. They like to explore and climb up on these, even though they pimarily are ground dwellers. I'm glad to hear that you are trying to do it up right, keep researching. I learn new tricks all the time. Oh, and make sure you feed your snake in a separate cage, i use a rubbermaid file container i've modified as a feed cage with paper towels on bottom of it. They can accidently ingest the Aspen substrate and get impacted or obstructed. The rough piece of wood you have is great to have in there for asssisting them to shed.

Ok well im back i picked up some coco husk (alot say its good to raise humidity)

Should i mix some of that with aspen or just leave it as is?

Now i also picked up the Acu rite at walmart ($12 is cheap :))

Here is the question. Atm i have a little UTH on the left side of cage (rated for a 10-20G tank it says even tho tank is 29G?)

I will get a bigger one at some point but they seem to be quite expensive.

The flukers is at the top left of the cage. Above the UTH. Should i put the acu rite probe on the UTH? Like the center of the UTH to get the temp of that?

Then put the flukers on the other side?

Sorry for all the questions. Just not sure how to set up the flukers and acu rite for the temps i should be getting

Also i notice it has a indoor and outdoor temp. i assume the probe is out and the box is in.

So should i put probe on the UTH to get the temp of that then leave the box inside cage to get the temp? (have seen some setups like that)

Have to run out so imma set it up like this for time being.

I have the probe on the UTH(At 92 deg now)
I have the acu rite box on the right side (77 deg now)
And the flukers is above the uth at top of cage (74 deg atm)

The 75W infrared light is in the middle of the cage on

Mind you these are hooked up to a dimmer switch but i have it on as high as it can go and seems as if the pad is getting too high considering i just turned it on so i may have to turn it down

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JeffD

I learn new tricks all the time. Oh, and make sure you feed your snake in a separate cage, i use a rubbermaid file container i've modified as a feed cage with paper towels on bottom of it. They can accidently ingest the Aspen substrate and get impacted or obstructed. The rough piece of wood you have is great to have in there for asssisting them to shed.

---

This has been debated forever, many people will tell you that there really is no reason at all , whatsoever to feed outside of the original enclosure. Snakes digest everything from fur to bones. :gj: I use unprinted newspaper or paper towels in my racks, I don't really care for loose substrate IMO.

so where should I set up my flukers and acu rite

Put the accurite probe right over the UTH on the glass. Stick the rest of the UTH on the other side of the tank. Move the flukers down to about 3 inches above the bottom of the tank on the side where the UTH is, or in the middle of the tank. Doesn't really matter.

All right i got my coco husk added in and stuff set up. It has a 75W infrared light over the UTH. Now the 75W infrared light and UTH hooked up to dimmer.

The flukers to the bottom left of the cage under the UTH and lamp is reading 77 deg and60% humidity.

To the right of the cage is the acu right box reading 73 deg and the UTH is reading 100 deg.

So imma turn down the UTH so its not so hot. But that also turns down the heat lamp.

Got thee humidity right as of right now but cant get the temp in the cage to go up that high without getting the UTH over like 93 deg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by f4n70m

Have to run out so imma set it up like this for time being.

I have the probe on the UTH(At 92 deg now)
I have the acu rite box on the right side (77 deg now)
And the flukers is above the uth at top of cage (74 deg atm)

The 75W infrared light is in the middle of the cage on

Mind you these are hooked up to a dimmer switch but i have it on as high as it can go and seems as if the pad is getting too high considering i just turned it on so i may have to turn it down

---

Your temperatures are good so far. If you can keep it like that then everything is fine. Like another post said about the humidity and moss, sometimes we make whats called a humid hide. It can be as simple as a small bowl with damp moss in it. This will raise the humidity and give the snake a humid place to lay if it wants. You can pick up the moss at any craft store or in the outdoor/plants section of stores like walmart. You probably wont need it with your bedding though.

Looking really good so far. Its great when people make sure they have the right set-up before getting their first snake. These guys can get sick so easily if kept wrong. You should have a healthy and happy BP :)

Ok so here is a pic of the cage setup
http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/4523/cageupdate.jpg
Yes i know i need 2 hides. I dont have the snake yet so idc about it. I want to get temp/hum right i will pick on one like this or make 2.

The bottom left is the flukers and the right is the acu right. The probe is stuck to the glass that the UTH is stuck to below.

The temps now are

flukers
76 deg and 64% hum

the acu right is reading
UTH = 101
right side of cage is 72
Also the hum is reading HI % which the book says if its over 90%

Why does the flukers say 60 to the left and acu right says over 90 on the right

The uth is a little hot i turned the dimmer down so maybe it needs a bit to adjust

Also you said the temps are right. both sides of the cages are like 70-75 doesnt one need to be 70-75 the other like 85-90? This is just the air temp the UTH is kinda small but the hide is right over the UTH i will be switching to a bigger UTH when i have the money something to cover more of the bottom of the tank instead of that little one

The air above the UTH up so many inches is going to be about the same as the cool side of the tank. This is the ambient air temp of the tank. 75 is acceptable but closer to 80 is much better. The aera right on the UTH where the snake will laying on the bedding is where you want it to be 90/93. It will read a couple degrees higher than that on the glass where the probe is but the snake will be on top of the bedding. Put a lid on the tank with clips and cover it with something. Foil, a towel, whatever you have. Then check the temps again after awhile. This should raise the ambient temp to where it needs to be without having the UTH set so high.

You can cover most of the top. The snake only needs a little space for ventilation.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

The air above the UTH up so many inches is going to be about the same as the cool side of the tank. This is the ambient air temp of the tank. 75 is acceptable but closer to 80 is much better. The aera right on the UTH where the snake will laying on the bedding is where you want it to be 90/93. It will read a couple degrees higher than that on the glass where the probe is but the snake will be on top of the bedding. Put a lid on the tank with clips and cover it with something. Foil, a towel, whatever you have. Then check the temps again after awhile. This should raise the ambient temp to where it needs to be without having the UTH set so high.

You can cover most of the top. The snake only needs a little space for ventilation.

---

Ok well the light and UTH are hooked up to the dimmer.

Should i try to get the temp of the UTH at like 90-92? its at 102 now :S trying to lower it but it will take some time to lower since its been on so it will have to cool down?

I have a heat lamp over the middle of the lid over the water. Should i leave it there and cover the 2 sides? or put it over the UTH and cover the middle and right (leaving some vent room)

do you need a moist hide in there all of the time? i dont think my 10 gallon has room for 3 hides lolz


and anyone know where i can get a really cheap dimmer?

Would this work?

http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/7923/foil.jpg

I got the lamp to the left but there is some holes open around it. The middle and right is covered. Keep in mind there is no snake in the cage just trying to get temps right

Also the wood at the bottom is plywood that is sitting on top of books to keep the cage raised up so the uth dont touch anything using some rubber feet. Hope its not to ghetto

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by f4n70m

Ok well the light and UTH are hooked up to the dimmer.

Should i try to get the temp of the UTH at like 90-92? its at 102 now :S trying to lower it but it will take some time to lower since its been on so it will have to cool down?

I have a heat lamp over the middle of the lid over the water. Should i leave it there and cover the 2 sides? or put it over the UTH and cover the middle and right (leaving some vent room)

---

You can leave the light where it is to even out the temp and just cover both sides. Leave about an inch on either side of the lamp for ventilation and to prevent the hot lamp from burning whatever is covering the tank.

Yes it will take a little while for the UTH to cool down. Just check on it again a bit later.

Oh yeah if its foil then it can touch the lamp. Looks good.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

Oh yeah if its foil then it can touch the lamp. Looks good.

---

Yea imma leave it on the left side. But i may move it to the middle. i got it right now going over the sides then folded in. so its kinda hanging inside the cage. but it seemed to loose just hanging loose on the outside of the cage like it would fall off it walked by it.

Idk if its good for the foil to be wrapped inside going under the lid

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by f4n70m

Yea imma leave it on the left side. But i may move it to the middle. i got it right now going over the sides then folded in. so its kinda hanging inside the cage. but it seemed to loose just hanging loose on the outside of the cage like it would fall off it walked by it.

Idk if its good for the foil to be wrapped inside going under the lid

---

On my cages I just have to foil taped to the lid, you could probably wrap it up and under the edge if you want to. The set up looks pretty decent, Sort of like mine but I have a larger tank (38g Tall). I also have a large fake plant that pretty much covers the whole floor area.

Well when i came home the temp on the left was 81 the right was 73.. but the UTH is at 103 :confused:

I cant seem to get the UTH low enough without having to put the heat lamp to low and then loose some heat

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by f4n70m

Well when i came home the temp on the left was 81 the right was 73.. but the UTH is at 103 :confused:

I cant seem to get the UTH low enough without having to put the heat lamp to low and then loose some heat

---

That is probably just because the temp probe isnt on the UTH if im picturing this the right way... Just go off of the accurite temp with the probe, and the unit temp. Where did you get 81 and 103 from?

the flukers is sitting above the substrate

The acu rite box is on the right side of cage.. the probe is on the bottom glass above the UTH under the substrate

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by f4n70m

the flukers is sitting above the substrate

The acu rite box is on the right side of cage.. the probe is on the bottom glass above the UTH under the substrate

---

So the flukers one said 83 or what ever... Like I said just go with the Accurite. The temp probe is the temp you want to watch because they can burrow in the substrate and if its to hot on the glass they can get burnt. The substrate will be warm enough if the temp probe says the correct temp range.

flukers said 81 it sits like 2 inches above substrate. the acu rite box to the right side of cage the cool side said 73. Now the probe on the UTH said like 103

k this thread is gettin old...people told you what to do about 100 times, if you want to be cheap then your going to have a toasted snake...simple.


What you need to do:

Get a dimmer for the UTH, and heat lamp seperately. Your never going to get it to balance on one dimmer. Your trying to regulate two different heat sources that are completely wattages not going to work ever. Or, you can spend a little money being that you got most of your stuff for free anyway and buy a thermostat?

You need to get two of those red night heat lights. I got one 75watt, and one 60 watt. One for the cooler side, and one for the hotter side. These two maintain the temps fine. I keep plexi in the middle of screen rather then to the side so I can have a lamp on both sides. THEN once ambient temps are good, get a dimmer/thermostat and hook it up to your UTH. Then you should be good.

If you can't get the temps right, and you are just ghetto rigging it until you have money I vote that you wait to get the snake. If you don't have money to invest at the moment then why would you put an animal in undesirable conditions? Not fair to the animal. Just be responsible please :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Animals As Leaders

k this thread is gettin old...people told you what to do about 100 times, if you want to be cheap then your going to have a toasted snake...simple.


What you need to do:

Get a dimmer for the UTH, and heat lamp seperately. Your never going to get it to balance on one dimmer. Your trying to regulate two different heat sources that are completely wattages not going to work ever. Or, you can spend a little money being that you got most of your stuff for free anyway and buy a thermostat?

You need to get two of those red night heat lights. I got one 75watt, and one 60 watt. One for the cooler side, and one for the hotter side. These two maintain the temps fine. I keep plexi in the middle of screen rather then to the side so I can have a lamp on both sides. THEN once ambient temps are good, get a dimmer/thermostat and hook it up to your UTH. Then you should be good.

If you can't get the temps right, and you are just ghetto rigging it until you have money I vote that you wait to get the snake. If you don't have money to invest at the moment then why would you put an animal in undesirable conditions? Not fair to the animal. Just be responsible please :)

---

i need somthing to control my UTH do you know where i can get a cheap dimmer? :P

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dembonez

i need somthing to control my UTH do you know where i can get a cheap dimmer? :P

---

You can go to petco and buy a rheostat for 20 bucks?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Animals As Leaders

You can go to petco and buy a rheostat for 20 bucks?

---

sweet thanks man!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Animals As Leaders

Get a dimmer for the UTH, and heat lamp seperately. Your never going to get it to balance on one dimmer. Your trying to regulate two different heat sources that are completely wattages not going to work ever. Or, you can spend a little money being that you got most of your stuff for free anyway and buy a thermostat?

---

Ok and what everyone has told me to i HAVE DONE. Now you say get a thermostat. Now That will control two heat sources? And by that i mean regulate two diffrent heat sources? If so give me some good ones to get. Also whats a good dimmer to get? I went to lowes.. Their options were VERY limited.

Dont judge me by saying i dont want the best. But if something will work just as good for now untill 2 weeks passes then why not? Its my little sons birthday not going to tell him to wait a month if i can get it now. But dont get me wrong if i cant get the cage to what it needs to be then i WILL NOT get it and just wait until i can.

But if i can get the cage at what it needs to be then i will go ahead and get it. Which is what iv been doing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Animals As Leaders

You can go to petco and buy a rheostat for 20 bucks?

---

Yes but that rheostat would control both the UTH and heat lamp if it was plugged into it. So what ur saying is by 2 of them lol one for lamp one for UTH?

Well i found this

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

That would be very useful i think. Would that be best to get two of them and hook uth to one and lamp to the other? If so i will look around for some locally if not will order online

the thermostat will measure the temp on the uth and turn it on or off to stay at the temp you choose. i just got one from pet provisions, then just use your dimmer for the heat light. turn the uth down to 93 and then adjust your dimmer light till you get the ambient temp you want thats what im doing now just starting like you