How I set up my BP's enclosure

SO i fugured I would show some images of what i did for setting up my enclosure for my BP. Maybe some of you would like to do the same thing.

First I installed the Under Tank Heater and secured it with tape.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1.../Snake/004.jpg

Then I put a thermostat sensor between the heater and a piece of insulation. I used insulation to make sure the heat goes up into the tank and does travel mostly downward to the selve i have it sitting on.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1.../Snake/005.jpg

From the top it looks like this.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1.../Snake/006.jpg

Next I put black foam board around the outside of the tank to help make my BP feel more secure, and I mounted the thermostat to the outside.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1.../Snake/007.jpg

And finally I put a thermometer and humidity sensor inside the tank. The one I used has a wire that can run along the bottom of the tank to read the temp on the hot side and the cool side and the humidity in the tank. And I started using ecoearth substrate. I seems to work really good for getting good humidity.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1.../Snake/008.jpg

And thats it. If you have and questions comments or concerns let me know.

Nice work!:gj:

Looks GREAT! And I like that you used aluminum plumbing tape rather than duct tape on the heat pad! :gj:

Love seeing folks take time to get it set up right!

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Looks GREAT! And I like that you used aluminum plumbing tape rather than duct tape on the heat pad! :gj:

Love seeing folks take time to get it set up right!

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I am going to be moving the uth from the side to the bottom; have duct tape and was going to make sure it was secure w/that, tell me about the al plumbing tape.

Just curious... I noticed the bottom of your heat pad and it looks like the same pad I bought today. Exo Terra Heat wave? If it is why didn't you pull the paper off using the self adhesive backing unless you paln on reusing it on another tank in the future? would not have needed to use any tape. I also bought the same Accu-rite digital thermometer. With no thermostat controlling the heat pad and the sensor secured inside the tank on the glass under the green terrrarium liner I am getting a reading of 117F. Seems kinda high. I am going to get a thermostat now. I was going to get one when I made the purchase today however the reptile shop I went to said I would not need it.

I like the idea of putting insulation under the heat pad and the foam board on the sides and back. :gj:

Sounds and looks good however I recall read in one of these forums that the pad needs to breathe. One of the reasons it came with the rubber legs. What is the high reading that you are getting with your thermometer without a thermostat controlling it?

have fun cleaning that thing. i kinda miss my tank but i dont miss cleaning it

I found cleaning our tank easy (only a 10g)
I put our snake into a container with one of his hides, took all the 'furniture' from the tank out and then just sucked everything else out with a shop vac.
Cleaned the tank with a very mild bleach solution, washed it out again with water, let it dry and put everything back. Maybe took... 15 - 20 minutes.

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Originally Posted by WakoNako

I found cleaning our tank easy (only a 10g)
I put our snake into a container with one of his hides, took all the 'furniture' from the tank out and then just sucked everything else out with a shop vac.
Cleaned the tank with a very mild bleach solution, washed it out again with water, let it dry and put everything back. Maybe took... 15 - 20 minutes.

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lol, it takes me about 20 minutes to clean all six of my snake enclosures :P

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

lol, it takes me about 20 minutes to clean all six of my snake enclosures :P

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Guess you got me beat then lol. I'm never in a rush to do it and the snake is happy enough chilling out in his coconut shell

Good Job :gj: ... :D

this setup thread was verty helpful, thank you.

From what I remember reading, there is a "pocket" of warm air under your tank when using a UTH. I would very well imagine that the cool side of your tank would never go over room temp with the insulation over the UTH. Which may not be an issue if you keep your room 80 or so. It was 64 in my house this morning, so I have two UTH on my boa's viv.

If I am incorrect, please let me know. I am always looking to improve my setup. Ours is quite similar, other than the insulation on the UTH.

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Originally Posted by kilabyte

Sounds and looks good however I recall read in one of these forums that the pad needs to breathe. One of the reasons it came with the rubber legs. What is the high reading that you are getting with your thermometer without a thermostat controlling it?

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Your basic uth should run around 110-120 degrees with nothing controling it.

I don't use them anymore due to my snakes being in a rack, but when I did I found it easier to leave the backing on the uth and just lay it under the tank. This way you get less heat and don't have to peel it off when you upgrade tank size.

If you do take the backing off I apply aluminum foil tape to the sticky side.
And for those that asked. Foil tape is at any hardware store used for furnace duct work.


Gavin

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Looks GREAT! And I like that you used aluminum plumbing tape rather than duct tape on the heat pad! :gj:

Love seeing folks take time to get it set up right!

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Looks more like duct tape than foil tape. Which is used for heating ducts, not plumbing.

Gavin

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kilabyte

Just curious... I noticed the bottom of your heat pad and it looks like the same pad I bought today. Exo Terra Heat wave? If it is why didn't you pull the paper off using the self adhesive backing unless you paln on reusing it on another tank in the future? would not have needed to use any tape. I also bought the same Accu-rite digital thermometer. With no thermostat controlling the heat pad and the sensor secured inside the tank on the glass under the green terrrarium liner I am getting a reading of 117F. Seems kinda high. I am going to get a thermostat now. I was going to get one when I made the purchase today however the reptile shop I went to said I would not need it.

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yeah i didnt take the adhesive film of because it cause more grief than it does good. And yeah you really should get a thermostat.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jfreels

From what I remember reading, there is a "pocket" of warm air under your tank when using a UTH. I would very well imagine that the cool side of your tank would never go over room temp with the insulation over the UTH. Which may not be an issue if you keep your room 80 or so. It was 64 in my house this morning, so I have two UTH on my boa's viv.

If I am incorrect, please let me know. I am always looking to improve my setup. Ours is quite similar, other than the insulation on the UTH.

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actually the uth provides all the heat i need for the cool side too. I just cover the most of the top of the enclosure with some cardboard rapped in aluminum foil. It traps most of the heat and still alows for good circulation.

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Originally Posted by Gavin Cooper

Looks more like duct tape than foil tape. Which is used for heating ducts, not plumbing.

Gavin

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It is aluminum tape. not duct tape

Hey gaving just a little tip so you dont have to make each post with only one quote u can multiquote post using the http://ball-pythons.net/forums/theme...iquote_off.gif button :)

How's the little guy been doing?

I've been loving this vacation... :gj:

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

How's the little guy been doing?

I've been loving this vacation... :gj:

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He's been doing great. He's up to eating small rats now :D

I added this post to my favorites! :gj:
Just curious, what size tank is that?

Nice idea with the insulation under the heating pad.

And yeah, cleaning tanks isn't really that hard lol. It takes me like 10 minutes total to completely change substrate, clean up poop, and change the water. Sometimes I might have to whipe some smeers or fingerprints off of the glass but thats about it.

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Originally Posted by Bloody Holly

I added this post to my favorites! :gj:
Just curious, what size tank is that?

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Its a 30 gallon.