Housing options/suggestions?

Right now I've got 3 different options for my BP. He is just a month old now. I've got a 6ftx3ft3xft "tank" that has a divider that can be placed up to make it smaller so he isn't in such a big space. I also have a 4ftx2ftx2ft tank with all wooden sides and plexiglass front. And lastly I have a 20gal tall tank. My concern is I have a Bearded Dragon that will be in either the 6x3x3 or 4x2x2 if the BP isn't in it. Also Would it be better to tub the BP to help with heat and humidity. I have heard about BP being very picky with temp changes and his tank throughout the day fluctuates from like 88-95 basking and like 78-86 cool side. So It's not a steady temp, partially because I know I suck and I will prolly get flamed for it but I do not have a thermostat or anything like that to regulate it's just a heat bulb aimed down on him. So I guess I'm wondering if I'm doing him harm right now or if he is doing ok. Any suggestions and flaming I am ready for whatever it takes to makre sure he's 10000% fine

If i was u i would get a uth/tstat and a tub works best :)

How would you do a single tub set up tho? like what would you use to cover the tub? I get how a rack system works but still kind of clueless on a single tub set up....

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Originally Posted by f4n70m

If i was u i would get a uth/tstat and a tub works best :)

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Agree.......go to Petco/petsmart and walmart and get the following:
15/16 qt tub with lid
A few rolls of paper towels (if not then at Petsmart get aspen bedding shredded it's called "snake bedding")
5-10 gallon under tank heater (brand of choice I like ZooMed)
Small dog bowl of some sort (big enough for soaking if needed and won't tip over) I personally use gladware.
Plastic flower pot (size is where it should be a tight fitting hide for the BP, cut down to about 3-4 inches and put a entrance in it and there u go)
While u pick out ur thermostat, for 1 snake a ZooMed 500R is fine but if you expand or plan on it Ranco is good upgrade, go to lowe's or HD and get a light dimmer.
At Walmart find something called a Accurite Temp/Hygrometer it should be like 11-12 dollars and be next to the paint department near the lighting.

Out the door around 60 bucks. If you have any more ?'s I'll post up a pic of my tub and u can see what it all looks like and everything goes.

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Originally Posted by azmodane

How would you do a single tub set up tho? like what would you use to cover the tub? I get how a rack system works but still kind of clueless on a single tub set up....

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Sterilite tub 16 qt with blue lid it locks into place. Get a drill and a 1/4 bit and drill about 5-6 holes on one side of the tub. Now Duct tape the other 3 sides and that's it. Locking lid, 3 sides covered and just do the shopping list above and ull have a happen BP.
U can always add a heavy object to the lid to make sure he won't get out.

well duh yea pictures are always welcome =P I think I have an idea of what ur talking about but pictures are way easier to understand :D

http://bp.kaorte.com/tubsetup.htm

Here mines

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/4144/dsc01398a.jpg
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/1849/dsc01395h.jpg

In the closet :gj:

Well I got everything I need cept the thermostat.... No place close that I can find sells a reptile thermostat... Anyone know if you can rig one together using a home thermostat? or any other options outside of a dimmer?

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Originally Posted by azmodane

Well I got everything I need cept the thermostat.... No place close that I can find sells a reptile thermostat... Anyone know if you can rig one together using a home thermostat? or any other options outside of a dimmer?

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Not that i know of nope would need a tstat or dimmer

You could order one online. I couldnt find tstats in pet stores either only one carried it was petco :gj:

damn, yea i mean i could get a house t-stat for like $12.00 at walmart which is way better than paying 25-30.00 for a reptile one you know?

Get the reptile one. It is $25 that is absolutely crucial to the well being of your animal. It really isn't something you should try to cut corners on.

Been trolling classifieds for past 30 mins or so trying to find one maybe cheaper but looks like ordering new one online is the quickest bet

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Originally Posted by azmodane

Been trolling classifieds for past 30 mins or so trying to find one maybe cheaper but looks like ordering new one online is the quickest bet

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Yep look into the ZooMed 500R it's like 25 bucks so 30 shipped to u in like 3 days.
Also I forgot to add go with a 2 hide set up like shown from the others seeing ur not in a rack.

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Originally Posted by azmodane

damn, yea i mean i could get a house t-stat for like $12.00 at walmart which is way better than paying 25-30.00 for a reptile one you know?

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My question is how would u even use a house tstat for this?

all you need is a 41 qt sterilite tub a, under tank heater, dampened paper towels, and a hide. If you house your ball python in a tank thats too big he may go off feed. I dont suggest putting him in any of those cages for a small ball python, if anything buy a 10 gallon tank and use that. Hope this helps =D

-Payson

if you are using flexwatt to heat, i do NOT recommend the Zoomed reptitemp 500r.

The ONE part of this entire thing you do not want to skimp on is the heating element control. Spend the 80 at www.reptilebasics.com with Rich and get a ranco or johnson controls unit prewired and ready to go. Rich will also help answer all of your questions.

The 500R is only acceptable to me in back heat applications when used with flexiwatt, and even then I wouldn't trust it. The fluctions i experienced with it were far to great for my taste.

Unregulated zoomed heating pad: 122F
regulated zoomed heating pad with zoomed thermostat: 114F peak (78F low)
Regulated with johnson control unit: 94F-96F.

those are actual numbers i recorded with a digital thermometer (accurite).

Rich also has another great heating unit http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm-heat_pads/ . Im using one of these for my leopard geckos. They do peak a little higher than I'd like for ball pythons (although it could probably use a bit more ventilation). My temp gun routinely reads around 97 on the glass below the substrate. (they are in a display type cage, whereas all the snakes are in racks).

i've always wondered if UTH's would melt the plastic, i guess not. Seems like the tubs are the way to go.

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Originally Posted by Purple Pie Man

i've always wondered if UTH's would melt the plastic, i guess not. Seems like the tubs are the way to go.

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they CAN, this is why they need to be regulated. There have been instances where flexwatt (man i can not spell that lol) has malfunctioned and burned holes in plastic tubs.

lol. i kinda figured that could happen

I don't think a zoomed UTH will melt a plastic tub. It might warm it or disfigure it in some way, but 120* will not melt it.

Either way, needs to be used with a thermostat.

I have been using a reptitemp 500r with one piece of flexwatt (single setup) going on 2 years now. I see about a 1-2* temperature fluctuation.

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Originally Posted by azmodane

How would you do a single tub set up tho? like what would you use to cover the tub? I get how a rack system works but still kind of clueless on a single tub set up....

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heres a link to my tub setup...http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...stic+tub+setup

what works for one individual may not work for everyone else, so what i can suggest is take a little info from here and there and see what works best for you:gj:

Wow thanks for all the info everyone and I actually like the last tub set up the most so far. Btw SGB awesome tutorial thanks so much. Looks like some ordering will be going on today =P Now my question is I don't want to stress out my new guy. So would buying a tub that will last him his whole life be too big right now or should I be ok?

If the snake is under a year old, go with a 15qt tub. Then you can upgrade to a 32qt tub.

These tubs are under $10 each so its not expensive to switch or anything.

My only concern would be the flexwatt size i'd be using i guess.... but again wouldn't be much to replace that either so just need to wait for the t-stat to be delivered along with the flexwatt