New to the forum...what do you think about this setup?

This is my 55 gallon (long). I basically created a 12"x12" pond with a filter at one end, and the other 36" are dry. I have an 8x12" heat pad under the cage, below the pond...with water temps holding steady at about 78-80F. At the complete opposite dry end, I have another 8x12" under the aquarium, along with a 60w light above to create a basking area, and the temps there are about 90F at the basking spot and about 85F on the ground are which covers about 12x14". The middle area holds steady at 75F where the cool hide is located, and that covers about a 18x12" area. It took me a while to piece this together, but I think it turned out OK. The only problem I am having is with humidity. I have a self made humidifier, and that has allowed me to maintain about a constant 45% level, but I have to constantly spray to get it any higher than that (she is in shed now...female jungle pastel). Any idea's on how to remedy that? Half of the tank, I fabricated a plexy glass cover under the screen to fit, and on the other side, I have a towel covering about half that side ( I don't want to contrict too much air flow). Seems to be good I think, but I am wierd like that trying to always make it better. Thoughts, opinions...idea's?

http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j3...t=3rdsetup.jpg

sorry, I cant get the damn picture to post..:mad:

Looks good. Only problem is that I don't see any real hides. The only thing I see is the log arch thing, and that isn't a proper hide. A BP likes to be just a bit smaller than the hide, and be enclosed in it. A log hide won't make it feel secure.

As for humidity, try covering the entire tank with plex and put two screened 1.5" holes, one on each side. This will retain more humidity while still permitting airflow. If you want you could also use some sort of cloth on top of the screen. If you do this you may have to turn down the humidifier though.

There it is!

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j3...0/3rdsetup.jpg

Are the UTH's being regulated by a thermostat?

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Originally Posted by apple2

Looks good. Only problem is that I don't see any real hides. The only thing I see is the log arch thing, and that isn't a proper hide. A BP likes to be just a bit smaller than the hide, and be enclosed in it. A log hide won't make it feel secure.

As for humidity, try covering the entire tank with plex and put two screened 1.5" holes, one on each side. This will retain more humidity while still permitting airflow. If you want you could also use some sort of cloth on top of the screen. If you do this you may have to turn down the humidifier though.

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The warm hide is a corner fitted half log (visible in the corner), and the cool hide you can't really see that is under the leaves by the pond (it is completely enclosed, cave type).

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Are the UTH's being regulated by a thermostat?

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Not the one under the "pond", but the one for surface level on the warm side is.

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Originally Posted by riprod720

The warm hide is a corner fitted half log (visible in the corner), and the cool hide you can't really see that is under the leaves by the pond (it is completely enclosed, cave type).

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Most BP's do not feel secure in half log hides as they are too open. Also whith half logs you have to watch out for mold.

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Originally Posted by riprod720

Not the one under the "pond", but the one for surface level on the warm side is.

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Ok, the other thing that I notched is that I can't see any thermometers/hygrometers in the tank.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Most BP's do not feel secure in half log hides as they are too open. Also whith half logs you have to watch out for mold.

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Yeah ive had a few of those mold on me, get something plastic if you can, those rock type ones are fine

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Most BP's do not feel secure in half log hides as they are too open. Also whith half logs you have to watch out for mold.

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OK...thanks for the tip. I will definately look out for mold and the like until i find a replacement. Honestly though, I don't think it could possibley stay moist enough, long enough on that hot side. I do agree on the hidinig aspect of it though...thanks!

That set up is very impressive!
Good job!

To increase humidity, you can turn off that basking lamp. Heat lamps will suck out humidity like a sponge. As long as you increase the hot side ground level, you probably don't need that heat lamp.
If you choose to keep the basking lamp, you can also put a damp towel over the top instead of a dry one. And you can cover 90% of the lid with plexiglass or tin foil. Ball pythons breathe slowly and don't need much air flow. So if you cover most of your lid, she'll be fine.

To help with your snake's shed, you can make a 'humid hide' or place a water dish on the hot side to increase humidity during her shed.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Ok, the other thing that I notched is that I can't see any thermometers/hygrometers in the tank.

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I have a thermo on the back glass about mid tank, and a dual stat torward the cool hide a few inches from the bottom...probably not visible in the pic. I will take some more pics tomorrow, to give a better view.

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Originally Posted by riprod720

I have a thermo on the back glass about mid tank, and a dual stat torward the cool hide a few inches from the bottom...probably not visible in the pic. I will take some more pics tomorrow, to give a better view.

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Are they the dial type? If so those are known to be inaccurate and have a very short lifespan plus if you are using a UTH they can't tell you how hot the substrate is (UTH's do not effect air temperature) these cost $12 at Walmart and work great (measures both hot and cool side temperature as well as humidity)

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...nt/photo-3.jpg

Turning off the heat lamp will help raise your humidity BUT you can only do that if the air temperatures stay above 75 degrees. Otherwise it will need to stay on 24/7.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Are they the dial type? If so those are known to be inaccurate and have a very short lifespan plus if you are using a UTH they can't tell you how hot the substrate is (UTH's do not effect air temperature) these cost $12 at Walmart and work great (measures both hot and cool side temperature as well as humidity)

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...nt/photo-3.jpg

Turning off the heat lamp will help raise your humidity BUT you can only do that if the air temperatures stay above 75 degrees. Otherwise it will need to stay on 24/7.

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Unfortunately, I do have the dial type... :confused: But...
Awesome!...That sounds like exactly what I need. Thanks for the info. Do you by chance know the specific name of the one shown in your pic, or what department I would look in for that?

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Originally Posted by riprod720

Unfortunately, I do have the dial type... :confused: But...
Awesome!...That sounds like exactly what I need. Thanks for the info. Do you by chance know the specific name of the one shown in your pic, or what department I would look in for that?

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I don't remember the name but it is easy to pick out. Every Walmart seems to have them in different places but the most likely places are:

The light bulb section
The paint section (if your local Walmart has one)
I've even seen them in the automotive section

It might take some searching but I have yet to find a Walmart that didn't have one.

Or, if you don't want a big ugly thermostat in your cage...

Use a tempgun :D

You can get one for about 25-30 dollars at a Radioshack, a bit more at a hardware store, etc. They work great and eliminate the need for in tank thermometers.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I don't remember the name but it is easy to pick out. Every Walmart seems to have them in different places but the most likely places are:

The light bulb section
The paint section (if your local Walmart has one)
I've even seen them in the automotive section

It might take some searching but I have yet to find a Walmart that didn't have one.

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Right on...I'll go take a look tomorrow. Thanks for the input! Hopefully she be fine until I can work out those details. She seem very happy, and looks very healthy.

I've just got to say, this is probably the fastest thread on BPnet!

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Originally Posted by riprod720

Right on...I'll go take a look tomorrow. Thanks for the input! Hopefully she be fine until I can work out those details. She seem very happy, and looks very healthy.

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I use the same thermometer. It's AcuRite brand "Digital Thermometer with 10 ft. Temperature Sensor Probe & Humidity / Clock 00891W3" (indoor/outdoor). It was found in the light section for my walmart. But like Aaron said, it can be anywhere. lol.

You can also get a temp gun off amazon for $15.