New ball - question about tank lid

Hello everyone - this is my first post here, but I expect it will the first of many!

I just purchased a ball python yesterday. The store was called Captive Born, and this particular one came from a breeder with over 100 BPs. They had many more kinds of snakes in their store, and everyone was very knowledgable. I came home with what they deemed a complete setup.

I have a 20 gallon tank, pine substrate (I did some research and it seems that pine is not toxic, although cedar is), an opaque backing for the backs of the tank, a large water bowl, rather large hide, and.... a totally solid wooden lid with a light bulb on the inside of the tank.

They said that BPs need high humidity and that condensation should be visible on the inside of the tank, which is why they provided a solid wooden top.

What worries me is that the light bulb literally extends into the tank with no protection, and when I asked if it was dangerous for the snake they said that BPs are very sensitive to heat, and would avoid the light. A quick skim of these forums seems to indicate that this setup is not what most people opt for, with regards to the lid.

So, a couple questions:

1) Is the breeder correct in saying that my Ball won't mess with the light and that it is ok to have it exposed in the tank?

2) If the answer to #1 is no, what can I use to replace the top? Plexiglass sounds good, but I don't have the tools to cut it and while Home Depot or Lowes might be able to cut the piece to the size I need, I'm not sure about holes.

3) If I ditch the light and go with UTHs, what kind of light can I use to provide for better visibility?

- One solution I was thinking of is replacing the heat light that is inside with a low-heat energy efficient fluorescent bulb. This would only provide visibility during the day (for me and other observers), and heating would be dealt with using a UTH and thermostat (I ordered a hydrofarm thermostat and digital thermometer).

4) How do I run the temp probe for the digi and thermostat into the tank? Am I supposed to keep it between the UTH and the tank and not inside? If so, isn't it still important to monitor the inside temp of the tank?

- Could I cut a tiny corner off of my wooden top and run the wire down the corner of the tank and into the substrate? If so, how would I secure the wire to the side of the tank if not by tape?

Thanks for your help!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by boclcown

Hello everyone - this is my first post here, but I expect it will the first of many!

I just purchased a ball python yesterday. The store was called Captive Born, and this particular one came from a breeder with over 100 BPs. They had many more kinds of snakes in their store, and everyone was very knowledgable. I came home with what they deemed a complete setup.

I have a 20 gallon tank, pine substrate (I did some research and it seems that pine is not toxic, although cedar is), an opaque backing for the backs of the tank, a large water bowl, rather large hide, and.... a totally solid wooden lid with a light bulb on the inside of the tank.

They said that BPs need high humidity and that condensation should be visible on the inside of the tank, which is why they provided a solid wooden top.

What worries me is that the light bulb literally extends into the tank with no protection, and when I asked if it was dangerous for the snake they said that BPs are very sensitive to heat, and would avoid the light. A quick skim of these forums seems to indicate that this setup is not what most people opt for, with regards to the lid.

So, a couple questions:

1) Is the breeder correct in saying that my Ball won't mess with the light and that it is ok to have it exposed in the tank?
Absolutely not. We don't ever use heat rocks in our enclosures for the very same reason. Your snake will burn, and I highly advise against his/her advice to use a light inside the tank.

2) If the answer to #1 is no, what can I use to replace the top? Plexiglass sounds good, but I don't have the tools to cut it and while Home Depot or Lowes might be able to cut the piece to the size I need, I'm not sure about holes.
You can buy a screen locking lid for any tank at most pet/reptile stores. If you used plexi glass I'd drill a few holes in the top. How would you plan on securing plexi glass though?

3) If I ditch the light and go with UTHs, what kind of light can I use to provide for better visibility?
I highly recommend ditching the lights and switching to a UTH with a thermostat. Honestly, bright lights are more of an irritant. If you wanted a light though, be sure it's on the outside of the tank, and I'd buy a lamp dimmer to be sure it doesn't get as intense, as light bulbs tend to make tank to hot anyways.

- One solution I was thinking of is replacing the heat light that is inside with a low-heat energy efficient fluorescent bulb. This would only provide visibility during the day (for me and other observers), and heating would be dealt with using a UTH and thermostat (I ordered a hydrofarm thermostat and digital thermometer).

4) How do I run the temp probe for the digi and thermostat into the tank? Am I supposed to keep it between the UTH and the tank and not inside? If so, isn't it still important to monitor the inside temp of the tank?
Thermostat probe can be taped or hot glued down directly on the UTH, not on the inside of the tank. Thermometer goes inside, hot glued down in the center of the hot spot.

- Could I cut a tiny corner off of my wooden top and run the wire down the corner of the tank and into the substrate? If so, how would I secure the wire to the side of the tank if not by tape?
No tape!! Ever! They will find a way to get stuck to it and get seriously injured.

Thanks for your help!!

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Please also have a look over the caresheet to be sure you're doing everything you can for your new snake. Welcome to the site :)
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

it all depends on how big the tank is i have i 55 gal i use a screen top with aluminum foil i keep my nocturnal heat light in the cage it is 75 watts one side its 95 the other 85. Having a big tank i struggle with humidity the aluminum foil helps as well as misting it every once and a while and the cool side of my tank has condensation on it. i keep my house pretty warm so i have nu use for a uth

Quote:

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Originally Posted by boclcown

hello everyone - this is my first post here, but i expect it will the first of many!

I just purchased a ball python yesterday. The store was called captive born, and this particular one came from a breeder with over 100 bps. They had many more kinds of snakes in their store, and everyone was very knowledgable. I came home with what they deemed a complete setup.

I have a 20 gallon tank, pine substrate (i did some research and it seems that pine is not toxic, although cedar is), an opaque backing for the backs of the tank, a large water bowl, rather large hide, and.... A totally solid wooden lid with a light bulb on the inside of the tank. kiln dried pine is safe, most use aspen

they said that bps need high humidity and that condensation should be visible on the inside of the tank, which is why they provided a solid wooden top.humidity should be around 60%, higher during shed cycle.

what worries me is that the light bulb literally extends into the tank with no protection, and when i asked if it was dangerous for the snake they said that bps are very sensitive to heat, and would avoid the light. wrong!!!! It will burn itself. a quick skim of these forums seems to indicate that this setup is not what most people opt for, with regards to the lid.

So, a couple questions:

1) is the breeder correct in saying that my ball won't mess with the light and that it is ok to have it exposed in the tank? yes!! Get rid of it asap

2) if the answer to #1 is no, what can i use to replace the top? Plexiglass sounds good, but i don't have the tools to cut it and while home depot or lowes might be able to cut the piece to the size i need, i'm not sure about holes.

3) if i ditch the light and go with uths, what kind of light can i use to provide for better visibility?

- one solution i was thinking of is replacing the heat light that is inside with a low-heat energy efficient fluorescent bulb. This would only provide visibility during the day (for me and other observers), and heating would be dealt with using a uth and thermostat (i ordered a hydrofarm thermostat and digital thermometer).

4) how do i run the temp probe for the digi and thermostat into the tank? Am i supposed to keep it between the uth and the tank and not inside? If so, isn't it still important to monitor the inside temp of the tank? thermostat probe should be placed between tank & heat mat, thermo probe should be hot glued directly over heat mat inside tank

- could i cut a tiny corner off of my wooden top and run the wire down the corner of the tank and into the substrate? If so, how would i secure the wire to the side of the tank if not by tape? hot glue gun

thanks for your help!!

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This is what happens to a snake using unprotected heat source.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/DSCF1549.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/DSCF2724.jpg


Btw Welcome to BP.net :colbert2:

ok i took mine out back to fighting the humidity :D

Oh jeez those photos are horrible.. I will switch to the UTH as soon as possible.

I don't know how I would secure the plexiglass to be honest... What do most people do?

A pic is worth a thousand words, these are from a burn rescue that I took in, the owner was told to use a heat lamp, and the snake coiled around it.

X2 on ditch the lamp inside the tank and goto a Plexi Cover UTH Heater and Thermostat but that has been said already here is what I use keeps humidity in great. Peice of Plexi with holes driller in it keeps our humidit at 60%

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._5501545_n.jpg

boco - ditch the light, it is unneeded and take the suggestion of UTH on thermostat. I don't know why the actual lid would be bad however, as it will help sustain humidity. Assuming there are air holes in it?

Lacy --- if you just got rid of your lights you wont have to battle humidity as hard.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jessica Loesch

Lacy --- if you just got rid of your lights you wont have to battle humidity as hard.

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Agreed, lamps do the opposite, they dry out the humidity. If you are worried about humidity in the whole tank, you should consider just providing a humid hide. :)

I'd ditch the pine as well as this can be harmful to your snake, aspen is a good bet.:)

so could i use a heat rock with a thermostat on it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Agreed, lamps do the opposite, they dry out the humidity. If you are worried about humidity in the whole tank, you should consider just providing a humid hide. :)

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i havent seen humid hides

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lacy

so could i use a heat rock with a thermostat on it?

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I'd stick to an undertank heater on a thermostat, works well and a simple setup

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lacy

i havent seen humid hides

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easy to make your own, for temporary purposes I use an old plastic tub with an access hole in it and fill it with damp moss and sit it in the hot side of the viv or RUB:)

I actually bought a BP from the same breeder and they said the same thing to me. I ignored what they said about sealing the top of the tank with that ceramic light fixture. Also I ignored what they said about keeping the humidity at 80% (BP care posts here state 70% for shedding 50-60% otherwise) since I figured it's a desert snake why would it need that much humidity unless shedding. I think the only issue i'm currently having is keeping the air temp in the cage high considering it's getting colder where we live. My snake has been a dream of one minus his escape not too long ago but he's healthy looking and eating well. As for securing the thermostat probe I ran a wire though the top of the cage and placed it under the substrate right above the heat source and it works fine. For temp monitoring I got a humidity/temperature combo gauge to measure air temp and humidity. PM me if you like it would be nice to get to know more snake owners where I live.

hey boclcown, Is the captive born your referring to the Captive Born Reptiles on Morse rd.

@ Jorman if your location refers to Columbus, Ohio then x2 your comment about PM'ing

I'm getting a plexi lid made for my tank, so I can give you bit of advice... Find a car stereo shop that does custom work. They make a ton of stuff with plexi for speaker boxers. Found one in my area that will cut it to size, make air holes, cutouts for my lights, and even make a tapered edge on one side so the lid still locks in. Only charging me fifty bucks for it. :D

As for the other stuff, you've already heard... Absolutely no heat rocks. Ever. No exposed heat lamps. Your snake could get some very serious burns.

Yep on morse rd.