Am I on the right track?

I'm trying to prepare myself for a baby BP that I'll hopefully be getting at Repticon this July. I've kept BP's before, but it's been almost five years, and I've opted for a simpler set-up this time around to be more cost efficient and to make the care taking less of a chore. I just wanted to make sure that what I already have and the things I have in mind sound sufficient.

So far I have...
- 15 qt sterilite tub with locking lid (although, after messing with it, I think I will have to do some modifications to make it a bit more secure. Any suggestions?)

- 2 hides, salvaged from my tupperware/plastic bowls

- Water dish, also native to my tupperware cabinet

- Aspen bedding (It doesn't have to be the brand specifically for snakes, does it? What I have is a whole extra bag that we never used for some rodents. It is made for animals though, if that matters)

- Soldering iron, found in my garage (for the holes). I have never used one and don't even really know how to, so I'm going to ask my stepdad to put the holes in the tub for me. Is there anything specific I should know or should tell him?

What I still need to get (saving up/planning).....

- Ultratherm 11x17" heating pad from RBI. I was planning on getting it big so I can get the most use out of it, and I will just put it under half of the tub, as long as that is safe?

- Acu-Rite 00891 digital thermometer/hydrometer.

- Hydrofarm digital thermostat for heat mats. I believe this is made for gardening, but someone recommended it to me and all of the reviews are really good.


Is there a glaring hole in this set-up that I'm unaware of? Any suggestions? I do still need to check and make sure that a local petshop carries frozen rodents, because I'm pretty sure Petsmart doesn't.

Thanks.

glaring hole= thremostat

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Originally Posted by BILLB OKC

glaring hole= thremostat

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The thermostat is the last item on my list.. "Hydrofarm digital thermostat for heat mats"


Or are you saying that this is not a good thermostat to use?

ooops :oops:

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Originally Posted by BILLB OKC

ooops :oops:

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It's all good.

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Originally Posted by alittleFREE

The thermostat is the last item on my list.. "Hydrofarm digital thermostat for heat mats"


Or are you saying that this is not a good thermostat to use?

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Only thing I would say to you is...
You get what you pay for. You're buying a $40 t-stat and that's exactly what you will get. I'm not saying it won't do the job but remeber that if and when it craps out.

I don't know what your budget is but I would try to save the money for something a little more high end.

http://www.helixcontrols.com/DBS1000.htm

Gavin

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Originally Posted by Gavin Cooper

Only thing I would say to you is...
You get what you pay for. You're buying a $40 t-stat and that's exactly what you will get. I'm not saying it won't do the job but remeber that if and when it craps out.

I don't know what your budget is but I would try to save the money for something a little more high end.

http://www.helixcontrols.com/DBS1000.htm

Gavin

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Unfortunately, I'm a jobless high school student (a situation I have been hoping to change lol) and I make my money babysitting, so that is a little bit out of the question :/. I would love to be able to afford something like that but as it stands, I don't see it being plausible. My parents would never go for paying for something like that, as opposed to a vet visit or something which they would certainly pitch in for if I was dirt broke and couldn't afford it.

One of the reasons that I haven't bought the thermostat yet is because if by some miracle I have an extra chunk of money by June or so, I was going to go ahead and get a pre-wired Ranco or Johnson because I hear those are another decent option without being too extremely pricey.

With the heat mat ur getting a thermostat is not needed. Just as an FYI it peaks out at 95. But my vote is for the 11x11 the other one seems to big. Compare it to a 20 gallon pad and it's huge.

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Originally Posted by MitsuMike

With the heat mat ur getting a thermostat is not needed. Just as an FYI it peaks out at 95. But my vote is for the 11x11 the other one seems to big. Compare it to a 20 gallon pad and it's huge.

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Really?

That makes things a lot easier if that's the case.

And I might go down to the 11x11". Once I got out the measuring tape, 11x17" looked pretty huge..

Sounds like you've got the ball rolling. Good luck, and hope you enjoy your new ball python!

sounds good to me I would wonder how you will set the heating unit up attaching it ot the tub or to the place it will sit. ( if room drafty consider a towel to help limit drafts and such) I also set everything up about 3 week befoer hand to see how the temps work out and if possible stock up now on some frozen rodents ( rat pups or so so you have a few on hand incase money goes poof and you not able ot get food items a few weeks. )

My opinion is that you definitely need a thermostat to control the UTH, and here's why. Just because it says that the UTH won't get over 95F only means that the certain percentage of the total batch that was tested at their facility didn't get over 95F. What you don't know are the conditions that they are tested under. Now once you mount it to the bottom of an enclosure and add substrate, this will slow down the heat dissipation and cause an insulation effect where the heat will build up along the bottom surface of your enclosure. My first set-up was a glass tank and I had a small UTH that wasn't supposed to get over 95 so I was using it un-regulated. The day I bought my temp gun I moved the substrate aside and shot the temp of the glass... 105F. I immediately went and got a dimmer switch and ordered a thermostat. My lesson was learned, and fortunately my snake didn't get burned...

I would use paper towls for substate, its cheaper and hold hummidity great!

Btw i had talked to rich from RBI and a few others. Yes it says it doesnt get past 95*. But then again from what i was told it also depends on ur ambient temp in ur house. If its to low u may have trouble having it even get up to the temp u need. And if the temp in ur house is too hot it may cause the pad to get over 95*

Correct me if im wrong this is just what i have been told.

I keep my room around 80 degrees (give or take a few), depending on the time of day. At night it doesn't get below 78. I like to keep it warm for my Beardie, because she's in a 40 gal tank which doesn't hold heat too well.

I think I may just go ahead and try to get the thermostat anyway, just to be on the safe side. I would rather have one and be overly-sure of the heat, than to not have one and constantly be worrying/having problems.

i second that. "better safe then sorry!" i always say.

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Originally Posted by mommanessy247

i second that. "better safe then sorry!" i always say.

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Especially were a live animal is concerned. :P I second that as well.

Biggest suggestion I have is get everything ahead of time and get it set up and burned in. Last thing you want to do is have to stress over whether or not your tank is going to take a temp nose dive or whether or not your new BP is going to get sick because you are still adjusting while the snake is trying to settle in.

Someone already suggested letting it sit for 3 weeks, I don't think it needs that long but deffinatly a week or so. It'll make the change a TON easier on the snake to go right in to a stable habitat. :P

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Originally Posted by David802

Especially were a live animal is concerned. :P I second that as well.

Biggest suggestion I have is get everything ahead of time and get it set up and burned in. Last thing you want to do is have to stress over whether or not your tank is going to take a temp nose dive or whether or not your new BP is going to get sick because you are still adjusting while the snake is trying to settle in.

Someone already suggested letting it sit for 3 weeks, I don't think it needs that long but deffinatly a week or so. It'll make the change a TON easier on the snake to go right in to a stable habitat. :P

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Yep, that's why I'm asking questions now rather than later. After this weekend, I'm hoping to be able to order the UTH, thermostat, and acurite [couldn't find one at my walmart]. So all of that should be here before this month is over, and I am not getting the snake until mid-July (if all goes as planned). I should have ample time to set things up and test it all out.

For securing that lid use luggage straps!

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Originally Posted by Breadbug500

For securing that lid use luggage straps!

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I'm not quite sure what you mean. I google image'd it, but I found a few different products (at least, from what I can see). Could you explain?

I obviously don't travel very much lol.

You can also use binder clips for securing the lid. Or you can be ambitious and drill holes along the lip of the lid and use screws and wing nuts :)

Have you checked home depot for an accurite? I have been to several and they all have had them in stock.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

You can also use binder clips for securing the lid. Or you can be ambitious and drill holes along the lip of the lid and use screws and wing nuts :)

Have you checked home depot for an accurite? I have been to several and they all have had them in stock.

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Home depot is really far away from where I live, but if I get down that way, I will definitely check. There is a new model for them, right? I used these about 5 or 6 years ago with my snakes, but I think I read that they changed the design?

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Originally Posted by alittleFREE

Home depot is really far away from where I live, but if I get down that way, I will definitely check. There is a new model for them, right? I used these about 5 or 6 years ago with my snakes, but I think I read that they changed the design?

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http://kaorte.com/Ball%20Python%20Tub%20Setup.pdf

Should be a picture in that that shows the new model. I have a couple of those.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

http://kaorte.com/Ball%20Python%20Tub%20Setup.pdf

Should be a picture in that that shows the new model. I have a couple of those.

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Ah, I spotted it! Thanks. I'll definitely look for it next time I'm out that way.

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Originally Posted by alittleFREE

I'm not quite sure what you mean. I google image'd it, but I found a few different products (at least, from what I can see). Could you explain?

I obviously don't travel very much lol.

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They're at walmart with the luggage, which is near the sterilite tubs in mine. Ue them with the binder clips and you'll be good

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Originally Posted by alittleFREE

I'm not quite sure what you mean. I google image'd it, but I found a few different products (at least, from what I can see). Could you explain?

I obviously don't travel very much lol.

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Here is a pic of my tubs with luggage straps and binder clips. I got the fancy binder clips, but the regular black ones cost half as much, and you get twice as many. I'm using them on the back of the tub. I only got the silver ones because sometimes I'm weird like that. I probably don't need the binder clips, because I doubt my snakes could push btween the tub and lid with the straps on, but I'm not going to give them the opportunity. I would rather spend a few extra seconds on additional security than a few hours or days searching for an escapee...:gj:

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...8/hpim0479.jpg

Wow that is some extreme strapping action!

We keep a 1 year old RTB in one of those tubs without any extra clips (just the tub clips) and he has never gotten out :P

Thanks for the photo, Vypyrz!

Those appear to be the same style tub I have, only I have the 15 qt variety. I will see if we have any of those straps with our luggage and if not, I'll definitely see if I can look at some the next time I make a trip to the store.

For the record, here are some pictures of some of the stuff I have..

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/2...kestuff009.jpg

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/8...kestuff013.jpg

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/82/snakestuff010.jpg

The small clear dishes, I'm gonna rotate for water (I think.. hoping they won't tip over as easily as I'm thinking they're gonna tip over lol..)

I have another one of those green bowls also (which are 6" in diameter, not sure if it's visible in the pictures).

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

Wow that is some extreme strapping action!

We keep a 1 year old RTB in one of those tubs without any extra clips (just the tub clips) and he has never gotten out :P

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Yeah, I admit that it may be overkill for the 32qt tubs, but they are about right for the larger ones. What you can't see in the photo is that I actually mounted the straps to theshelves with a small screw to keep them in place, so when I unclip them they don't slide around. I'm also thinking about actually mounting the UTH and stat probe to the shelves in position and just setting the tubs on top of them, which will make cleaning day a little easier. I'm still working on that one. I will probably set up and experimental tub in that configuration for a week or so to see how it goes. I've got 2 empty shelves to try it on since the new guys will be in QT for a few more weeks...

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Originally Posted by alittleFREE

Thanks for the photo, Vypyrz!

Those appear to be the same style tub I have, only I have the 15 qt variety. I will see if we have any of those straps with our luggage and if not, I'll definitely see if I can look at some the next time I make a trip to the store.

For the record, here are some pictures of some of the stuff I have.

The small clear dishes, I'm gonna rotate for water (I think.. hoping they won't tip over as easily as I'm thinking they're gonna tip over lol..)

I have another one of those green bowls also (which are 6" in diameter, not sure if it's visible in the pictures).

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For a 15qt tub you should be good with only about 2 binder clips on each side. Really for the 32qt tubs I could get by with a few binder clips or maybe 1 strap, but as I said above, I've got my shelves set up to handle up to a 60qt tub, which has a hinged lid and a fair amount of play in the center between the tub and lid...
You are right about the water bowls. You might try checking around at your local pet shops, Wal-Mart, dollar stores or online for a small ceramic or metal water bowl that will be heavier and less likely to tip over when your snake decides to crawl across it...

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

Yeah, I admit that it may be overkill for the 32qt tubs, but they are about right for the larger ones. What you can't see in the photo is that I actually mounted the straps to theshelves with a small screw to keep them in place, so when I unclip them they don't slide around. I'm also thinking about actually mounting the UTH and stat probe to the shelves in position and just setting the tubs on top of them, which will make cleaning day a little easier. I'm still working on that one. I will probably set up and experimental tub in that configuration for a week or so to see how it goes. I've got 2 empty shelves to try it on since the new guys will be in QT for a few more weeks...

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That sounds pretty cool! Yeah I no longer tape the UTHs to my standalone tubs. I just put it on a shelf surface, tape the probe to it and set the tub on top.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

That sounds pretty cool! Yeah I no longer tape the UTHs to my standalone tubs. I just put it on a shelf surface, tape the probe to it and set the tub on top.

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Sounds like a plan... :gj:

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

That sounds pretty cool! Yeah I no longer tape the UTHs to my standalone tubs. I just put it on a shelf surface, tape the probe to it and set the tub on top.

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So, do you have to put pegs in order to create airflow under the uth's? Or do you just set the UTH on the shelf and then the tub right on top of it?

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Originally Posted by alittleFREE

So, do you have to put pegs in order to create airflow under the uth's? Or do you just set the UTH on the shelf and then the tub right on top of it?

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The tubs I have already have little feet on them.

Well, I got the holes drilled in the tub this morning. I wasn't sure quite how many, so I just did one row all the way around. I went around and smoothed them out with a knife and some pliers. I figured if I need more then I could always add them. I'm not too worried about losing heat or humidity because I live in GA and it's always hot and humid here lol, plus the room I keep them in has it's own heating and air so I can always use that to my advantage.

I will be ordering the thermostat, thermometer (I found it for 5.99 on amazon so that's cheaper than what the sell them for in-store), and UTH on Sunday/Monday if all goes as planned.

I also called our local petsmart and they said that they do sell frozen feeders, which is great. It's not the most convenient store ever but I like going there anyway.

My birthday is in July, which is when the show near us is as well. So after I get everything set up, I'm going to ask in the next few weeks to go to that and pick up a BP as a birthday present.

I would consider just going with an 11x12 piece of flexwatt from Reptile Basics as opposed to the heat mat that you mentioned. Or if you are in GA, you might even be able to get away with a foot of 4" flexwatt. Either way, they would be cheaper than a heat mat, and flexwatt works great.

As far as water bowls -- check out the pet section at Wal-Mart or Target. I picked up nice heavy plastic bowls with grips on the bottome at Target for $2.99. Even my 1400g male doesn't knock it over!

Good luck!!

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Originally Posted by MitsuMike

With the heat mat ur getting a thermostat is not needed. Just as an FYI it peaks out at 95. But my vote is for the 11x11 the other one seems to big. Compare it to a 20 gallon pad and it's huge.

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Thats horrible advice. ALL heating elements need a way to control it.

I Use Ultratherms for boas cages and in a room thats heated to 80, those ultratherms will reach 110F+ without a problem. I know this as ive tested.

Many not go past 95 is a cold 60F room but anything in the 70s+ your looking at overheating and possible burns

Thank you guys for all of the advice.

I am definitely going to get the thermostat - with the temps being so hot here (especially in the summer) I don't want to risk it overheating or something.

I'm a little bit scared to use flexwatt because I have absolutely no clue how it works or anything :/ I have considered it though, because it is a lot cheaper as you said.