Supply List Recommendations

Hello again!

Been compiling a list of supplies and could use some advise before ordering. Aiming to buy a younger female Ball Python. Here is why I have on the list so far:

Primary List:
20 Gallon Long
Repti Therm U.T.H for 10-20 Gal.
ECO CARPET 29 Gallon
Eco Earth - 3 pack
2 Repti Shelter - Medium
New Zealand Sphagnum Moss
Water Dish
Fluker's Clamp Lamp - 5.5 inch
Ceramic Heat Emitter - 60 watt

Secondary List:
REPTISUN TERRARIUM HOOD 20”
ReptiSun 2.0 Fluorescent Bulb - 18"
HygroTherm - Humidity & Temp Controller
Repti Fogger
Plug-in Mechanical Timer

Husbandry:
Wipe Out 1 - 4.25 oz
Collapsible Snake Hook
Plastic Feeding Cage
Provent-a-Mite
Feeding Tongs 10"
Spray Bottle

Mods:
Tank Screen Top Foil Treatment
Blacked out back and sides

That is my list so far. Comments more than welcome.

Personal Comments:
I know I am missing some thermometers and rheostats and could use some help on that. I don't have enough money to put into a $120 controller and have seen cheaper options but am unsure of what to grab, particularly for the UTH. Seen a few recommend the Hydrofarm Thermostat.

The secondary list is wishlist stuff. The Fogger/Hygrotherm is unnecessary, but possibly convenient just in case I am not around for a few days or longer to mist. The light is also unnecessary, but for an attempt at "safe" display I chose the low output Reptisun 2.0.

Currently shopping at ReptileSupply.com since the prices seem to be some of the best. If anyone has any comments or recommendations for better sites I'd be open to comment.

Thanks for reading.

Hi,


Primary List:
20 Gallon Long
Repti Therm U.T.H for 10-20 Gal.
ECO CARPET 29 Gallon wouldn't recommend this
Eco Earth - 3 pack or this - use newspaper or paper towels instead instead :)
2 Repti Shelter - Medium
New Zealand Sphagnum Moss you probably don't need this either
Water Dish
Fluker's Clamp Lamp - 5.5 inch see below
Ceramic Heat Emitter - 60 watt do you need two heat sources? - both will need to be controlled. You might be better trying to insulate the tank first depending on your room temps
Digital thermometer hydrometer - this is vital

Secondary List:
REPTISUN TERRARIUM HOOD 20”
ReptiSun 2.0 Fluorescent Bulb - 18" not needed
HygroTherm - Humidity & Temp Controller thermostats are vital - move it to the primary list. I think this is only a reader not a controller? that's vital too but we recommend the acurite weatherstation from walmart for $12
Repti Fogger Not needed
Plug-in Mechanical Timer not needed if you don't have a light

Husbandry:
Wipe Out 1 - 4.25 oz
Collapsible Snake Hook if you like but you don'y need it
Plastic Feeding Cage feed in his enclosure as recommended and this isn't needed either
Provent-a-Mite good to have for emergencies
Feeding Tongs 10"
Spray Bottle

Mods:
Tank Screen Top Foil Treatment
Blacked out back and sides you can add foamboard insulation as well to help keep the tank temps stable


dr del

Quote:

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Originally Posted by True_Avery

Hello again!

Been compiling a list of supplies and could use some advise before ordering. Aiming to buy a younger female Ball Python. Here is why I have on the list so far:

Primary List:
20 Gallon Long Go with a plastic sterilite tub and some clamps, save yourself the constant hassle and labor.
Repti Therm U.T.H for 10-20 Gal. Get a pad or heat cord from Big Apple Herp that is safe for use with a plastic bin.
ECO CARPET 29 Gallon Nah. Just buy a big bag of aspen shavings.
Eco Earth - 3 pack What for? You already have bedding. This stuff tends to hold too much dampness and can lead to skin infections in BPs
2 Repti Shelter - Medium If the girl is medium-sized, that's fine. Make sure it will fit her tightly, and not be larger than she needs, or she won't like it.
New Zealand Sphagnum Moss Unnecessary if you aren't going to be fighting with the humidity all the time the way you would with a glass tank.
Water Dish
Fluker's Clamp Lamp - 5.5 inch Never a good choice for BPs
Ceramic Heat Emitter - 60 watt Never a good choice for BPs. Drives out the humidity, and if you're using a UTH you shouldn't need it. If you are using a plastic tub, you can't use it anyhow.

Secondary List:
REPTISUN TERRARIUM HOOD 20” Completely unnecessary.
ReptiSun 2.0 Fluorescent Bulb - 18" Completely unnecessary.
HygroTherm - Humidity & Temp Controller
Repti Fogger You won't need it if you use a tub.
Plug-in Mechanical Timer

Husbandry:
Wipe Out 1 - 4.25 oz Don't bother. Wash it with soap and water, and disinfect with chlorhexadine or bleach.
Collapsible Snake Hook
Plastic Feeding Cage Unnecessary for a ball python (and possibly even counterproductive, if you want her to eat regularly).
Provent-a-Mite
Feeding Tongs 10"
Spray Bottle

Mods:
Tank Screen Top Foil Treatment
Blacked out back and sides

That is my list so far. Comments more than welcome.

Personal Comments:
I know I am missing some thermometers and rheostats and could use some help on that. I don't have enough money to put into a $120 controller and have seen cheaper options but am unsure of what to grab, particularly for the UTH. Seen a few recommend the Hydrofarm Thermostat.

The secondary list is wishlist stuff. The Fogger/Hygrotherm is unnecessary, but possibly convenient just in case I am not around for a few days or longer to mist.
If you use a plastic tub, you won't need to. Save the money from that and buy a GOOD thermostat instead.

The light is also unnecessary, but for an attempt at "safe" display I chose the low output Reptisun 2.0.
Why not use an ordinary cheap fluorescent tube, if you just want lighting? As soon as the light comes on, the ball python will vanish into a hide and stay there, anyhow.

Currently shopping at ReptileSupply.com since the prices seem to be some of the best. If anyone has any comments or recommendations for better sites I'd be open to comment.

Thanks for reading.

---

Big Apple Herp has some great stuff, and great prices on some things.

I think Dr Del pretty much covered it. You probably won't need the lamp to keep your temps up. You could also use aspen or cypress for your substrate, I personally think it looks better than newspaper and is easy to clean.

You will definitely need a digital thermometer, I like the Accurite and most people here will recommend it and its cheap($12).

A thermostat is a must have too for your UTH. I use the Hydrofarm it works just fine for only one plug you could not use it for a lamp and UTH. Its one of the cheaper ones that actually works quite well too. I believe mine was about $30.

Long forcepts for feeding.

Thanks for the replies!

Can anyone link me to any good Digital thermometer/hydrometer? I keep hearing about the acu-rite, but when I look online I see dozens of different models.

And, on that note, can anyone recommend an inexpensive controller?

Thanks again!

Most walmarts have the accurites... but lately it has been hard to find the ones with a wire attached to the "outside" probe... seems like they are switching to all wireless

I would get a temp gun also unless I over looked it on your list :gj:

This is what I got for my Baby BP.

10 Gal W/ Screen
Aspen Bedding
Water Dish
Lamp
Red Light
Heat Pad
Hide
3 Thermometers
Hygrometer
Thermostat
Paper Towels (For keeping humidity in.)
Spray Bottle


He loves his tank.

Its really hard to find the accurite weather stations online for a decent price. Your best bet is to hit up walmart or home depot and check out their thermometers. You want the one with a wired probe for the "outdoor" reading. Shouldn't run you more then $12.

Also, a thermostat is a must. The hydrofarm has been given good reviews so far on this site. If it is within your budget, get it.

I bought myself an Acurite for $12 from Wal-Mart. Thanks for the recommendation!

Now, I have 1 but should I go back for a second, so that I have one on both sides of the cage? Or should I just use it like a wand and use it to check both periodically?

For the UTH, I think I'll get the Hydrofarm off of Amazon since it keeps getting recommended.

For the probe I'm assuming I place the probe just above the substrate for "ground" level humidity and temp?

And for the Hydrofarm, do I place the probe under the substrate on the glass, between the UTH and the class, or under the UTH?

Again, thanks for the replies! Really helping me here.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by True_Avery

I bought myself an Acurite for $12 from Wal-Mart. Thanks for the recommendation!

Now, I have 1 but should I go back for a second, so that I have one on both sides of the cage? Or should I just use it like a wand and use it to check both periodically?

For the UTH, I think I'll get the Hydrofarm off of Amazon since it keeps getting recommended.

For the probe I'm assuming I place the probe just above the substrate for "ground" level humidity and temp?

And for the Hydrofarm, do I place the probe under the substrate on the glass, between the UTH and the class, or under the UTH?

Again, thanks for the replies! Really helping me here.

---

Just buy like 2 more regular probe thermometers and buy suction cups and mount the Acurite. Use 1 of the Probed Thermometers with the Probed Thermostat and tape them both to the bottom of the tank for the UTH temps and controlling. Then use the other probed thermometer and suction cup it right next to the light or hot spot. Then the Acurite probe can go to the cool area.

Also when I say tape the Probes to the bottom of the tank I mean tape it on the outside right on the UTH.

One probed thermometer is all you need.

The box goes in the cool end to tell you that temperature.
The probe goes over to the hot spot and reads that temperature.

*Hunter94 taping the thermometer probe to the bottom of the tank with the thermostat probe is a waste of a good thermometer because you do not need to know that temperature*

Alright let me clarify, since you seem to be getting conflicting information and that is confusing. You only need one accurite.

You want to measure the hottest point your snake can reach in the enclosure. Put the probe for the accurite right on the glass where the UTH is under the substrate. Don't use tape to tack it down since snakes are well known for getting themselves stuck to any tape in the enclosure. There is a little sticky pad on the probe, but once you need to clean you can't really use it again. A dab of hot glue is a good option.

The rest of the unit goes inside the enclosure on the cool end (opposite the UTH). The indoor/Humidity measurements will be taken at the unit.

Now the probe that is attached to the thermostat goes OUTSIDE the enclosure, taped directly to the UTH.

Hope this helps!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by snakesRkewl

One probed thermometer is all you need.

The box goes in the cool end to tell you that temperature.
The probe goes over to the hot spot and reads that temperature.

*Hunter94 taping the thermometer probe to the bottom of the tank with the thermostat probe is a waste of a good thermometer because you do not need to know that temperature*

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Sorry but its not a waste I do it just to make sure all the temps are right and the Thermostat isn't off or malfunctioning. Better safe then sorry.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hunter94

Sorry but its not a waste I do it just to make sure all the temps are right and the Thermostat isn't off or malfunctioning. Better safe then sorry.

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:P ok, different, but ok.

Have a great 4th!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by snakesRkewl

:P ok, different, but ok.

Have a great 4th!

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I like to be safe. :P

You have a great 4th to!