So . . .I got me a Brazilian Rainbow Boa . . .

I don't know it's sex. I got it from LLLReptiles. It's a beautiful baby snake, long and slender.

Now I admit I am playing catch up here on how to care for them. I made the mistake of assuming it would be the same as a ball python. My fault for assuming. Now I've been doing research, reading, watching YouTube videos, etc, since 8pm EST. . .It's not 2:20 AM EST. I feel like I'm studying for a final in college all over again, but it's worth it. I want my snake to be happy.

For now, I am referring to the snake as Rose, which would mean that the snake is a female in my mind. I'm hoping for a male though, just for the size difference.

Anyways...

Rose is in a 20 gallon tank 30x12x12.
Aspen mulch.
Two hides. (one is a plastic tupplewear that I cut a hole in it, put damn paper towels/misted for humidity)
A climbing log that has hiding areas inside it.
Large water bowl.
A long towel on top of the screen top that I keep damp, with a plastic tub top over the towel to help with the humidity.

The hot side was getting too hot, so I unplugged the UTH for now to get it down to 83-85. I will be looking for a quality thermostat in the morning. If ANYONE KNOWS OF ONE, PLEASE LINK ME, OR TELL ME WHERE TO GET ONE, THANKS.

I have a 6 and 7 year old, so I'm not really comfortable with keeping Rose in a plastic tub. They love Rose and our Ball Python Sam, and have absolutely no fear of snakes. But they KNOW not to touch the snake tank under any circumstances, and both have locks and clamps on it. With a tub, they may get a bit bold, just don't want to risk it...

I plan on going out and getting a different substrate (cypress mulch) other than aspen that retains moisture (for humidity) without the mold, and getting some moss for the humid-hide box. Hopefully that will spike up the humidity in the tank.

Here's a picture of Rose. Anyone care to give a ball park estimate on how old Rose is?

http://i48.tinypic.com/20kvcdv.jpg

And here is her set-up, I just finished adjusting things as I was setting it up...

http://i46.tinypic.com/3495p8p.jpg

I put a complete wet towel on top of the screen top, instead of only 50% of the top.
- Misted down the hides
-added fake plant for an extra item to mist, and to give some cover to the tupplewear humid-hide.

I WANT AND NEED ANY OPINION POSSIBLE. Thanks.

Quality thermostat:

http://spyderrobotics.com/

budget thermostat:

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

and just in case you haven't seen this:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ates-cenchria)

I would replace the half log hide... they don't make snakes feel very secure, and have a tendency to get moldy in high humidity environments. I prefer these hides:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Quality thermostat:

http://spyderrobotics.com/

budget thermostat:

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

and just in case you haven't seen this:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ates-cenchria)

I would replace the half log hide... they don't make snakes feel very secure, and have a tendency to get moldy in high humidity environments. I prefer these hides:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

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Definitely read the care sheet on the BRB's, but thanks again for the link (bookmarked it!)

Is there any store that I can buy the Thermostat on Amazon in a store tomorrow?

I was thinking the same as you about the half log hide. She/He seems to enjoy sliding through it, over it, across it, though. But better to side with caution though.

You might find the hydrofarm thermostat in a gardening center (as they are designed for hydroponics) but I personally have not ever seen one. Unless you have a reptile specialty shop near by chances are you are going to have to order one online... whatever you do stay away from the junk sold in pet stores. Not only is it overpriced but low quality as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

whatever you do stay away from the junk sold in pet stores. Not only is it overpriced but low quality as well.

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Saw that when getting tips on Ball Python care, so made sure I didn't get the one I saw in Petsmart today. I will go ahead and order two of them now from Amazon. They won't arrive until Monday though. Hopefully Rose can hang tough for 48 more hours.

I've never had to use a Thermostat, so I'm assuming that they're easy to use? Just plug your UTH into it, set the temp you want (max), and you're good?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bushido

Saw that when getting tips on Ball Python care, so made sure I didn't get the one I saw in Petsmart today. I will go ahead and order two of them now from Amazon. They won't arrive until Monday though. Hopefully Rose can hang tough for 48 more hours.

I've never had to use a Thermostat, so I'm assuming that they're easy to use? Just plug your UTH into it, set the temp you want (max), and you're good?

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You have the basic idea... the UTH plugs into the thermostat, and you set the thermostat to the desired temperature. The thermostat has a temperature probe that you will attach to the UTH (So it is sandwiched in-between the underside of the tank and the UTH. I like to use hot glue for this) This measures the temperature of the UTH NOT the temperature inside the tank. You will need a probed thermometer like the one pictured below to tell you the temperature of the cage. Based on the thermometer reading you will set your thermostat. I would start by setting it to 90 degrees and go from there (you have to wait 30 minutes to an hour in-between thermostat adjustments... it takes some time for the UTH to respond)

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

Check out this thread for more information...

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...04#post1845904

I would be worried about keeping the humidity up for a BRB in a tank. Mine will not shed well under 75% relative humidity and I have mold issues over 85% or 90%. Mix that with them liking cooler temperatures than BPs or BCIs and it makes it just a bit harder. My best tip is a large water dish to keep humidity up and constant cleaning to prevent mold.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AndrewGeibel

I would be worried about keeping the humidity up for a BRB in a tank. Mine will not shed well under 75% relative humidity and I have mold issues over 85% or 90%. Mix that with them liking cooler temperatures than BPs or BCIs and it makes it just a bit harder. My best tip is a large water dish to keep humidity up and constant cleaning to prevent mold.

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Can I see what some of your tub set-up's look like? My ONLY concern with the tub is what I already stated, my two curious kids. There's a pretty large water dish in there now. I'm going to get the new substrate and some moss and see if that will hike it up to 75% humidity.

If not, I may have no choice but to use a tub until it's get big enough to move into one of those nice set-up's for them that I intend on getting her. Unless you know of one now that a baby BRB can go into right away?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bushido

Can I see what some of your tub set-up's look like? My ONLY concern with the tub is what I already stated, my two curious kids. There's a pretty large water dish in there now. I'm going to get the new substrate and some moss and see if that will hike it up to 75% humidity.

If not, I may have no choice but to use a tub until it's get big enough to move into one of those nice set-up's for them that I intend on getting her. Unless you know of one now that a baby BRB can go into right away?

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You can do what I do will all of my snakes... get a PVC cage with a divider. That way you can adjust the size of the cage with the snake.

Check out this thread I wrote on them:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

PVC cages hold in heat and humidity extremely well, and can be locked with a key. Not so much to keep the snake in, but to keep people out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

You can do what I do will all of my snakes... get a PVC cage with a divider. That way you can adjust the size of the cage with the snake.

Check out this thread I wrote on them:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

PVC cages hold in heat and humidity extremely well, and can be locked with a key. Not so much to keep the snake in, but to keep people out.

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That is a REALLY nice set-up you have there.

About how much did all that run you?

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Originally Posted by Bushido

That is a REALLY nice set-up you have there.

About how much did all that run you?

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a T8 (48" x 24" x 12" L x W x H) runs $150 plus shipping and any other add ons (locks, viewing lights, etc.) They aren't cheap but will last your snake for life.

My favorite feature is that they can be set up to house 2 snakes...

You could have them put 2 thermostat probe slots (one on the bottom left, and one on the bottom right and use 2 strips of flexwatt to heat both sides individually (so you could have your Bp in one side and your BRB in the other!) with a divider in the middle making 2: 24" x 24" x 12" cages

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

a T8 (48" x 24" x 12" L x W x H) runs $150 plus shipping and any other add ons (locks, viewing lights, etc.) They aren't cheap but will last your snake for life.

My favorite feature is that they can be set up to house 2 snakes...

You could have them put 2 thermostat probe slots (one on the bottom left, and one on the bottom right and use 2 strips of flexwatt to heat both sides individually (so you could have your Bp in one side and your BRB in the other!)

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That's actually a good price for me, and would definitely be a WAY better set-up for my BRB. My only issue would be I would need a stand to put it on, lol. You have no issues with heating with heat panels instead of UTH?

They actually sell a stand for them... it is really short (8"... but when you have a floor to ceiling stack like I do now it is really nice)

48" x 24" plastic tables with the folding legs also work great... I have found some cheap ones at Walmart in the past

Heat panels add to the cost, but work slightly better than UTH's... that said most of my cages use the UTH (11" flexwatt) that Animal Plastics sells as a add on to the T8

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

They actually sell a stand for them... it is really short (8"... but when you have a floor to ceiling stack like I do now it is really nice)

48" x 24" plastic tables with the folding legs also work great... I have found some cheap ones at Walmart in the past

Heat panels add to the cost, but work slightly better than UTH's... that said most of my cages use the UTH (11" flexwatt) that Animal Plastics sells as a add on to the T8

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What's the difficulty level to set it all up like yours? How much time does it take? I'm definitely interested in what you have. I was planning on getting something really nice for both of them when they got bigger. I had everything book marked already.

I didn't mean heat panels, sorry...I meant the other heating option you listed besides the UTH. And do you have to use paper towels? I know it's better for the heat to rise up through the plastic, but I wanted a more natural look.

To assemble a T8 all you need is a phillips screwdriver (a drill with a phillips head makes it a lot easier on the hands) and about 15 minutes. all you have to do is screw the sides together in predrilled holes, seal the bottom of the cage with the included sealant (for the cracks where the sides meet up *like the caulking around a bathtub) wire up your heat and set the thermostats. very easy overall.

UTH's and/or Radiant heat panels are the best ways to heat a cage. If you want a thick layer of substrate I would go with the radiant heat panels (see link below) if you can keep the substrate layer 1/2" thick or less (paper based/aspen/cypress/coco-husk) and your room stays above 68 most of the time a UTH will be fine.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/rbi-radiant-heat-panels

*the 40 watt RHP is the best size for a full T8... the 28 watt RHP is the best for half of a RHP

Will the T8 you listed be big enough to hold a full grown BRB? I have no doubt that it can hold a ball python will ease. I'm definitely going to go this route, you convinced me. I may need to pick your brain more (99% sure of it..) just to make sure I'm ordering everything that I need, etc.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bushido

Will the T8 you listed be big enough to hold a full grown BRB? I have no doubt that it can hold a ball python will ease. I'm definitely going to go this route, you convinced me. I may need to pick your brain more (99% sure of it..) just to make sure I'm ordering everything that I need, etc.

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answered in other thread :D

Thanks.

I'm on their site now browsing. Is flexwatt belly heat enough for them?

- - - Updated - - -

Is this sufficient?

T10/Sliding Glass
Item # T10/Sliding Glass
Cage Top Style: , Cage Color: Black Cage

Sliding Door Lock

Flexwatt Belly Heat

White Flourescent Light

POP IN, POP OUT DIVIDER

8" Stand

I have two acurite's in the two tanks now, plus two UTH, hides, water bowls. All I would need is a thermostat, right?

That depends on how cold the room that the cage is in will be. Flexwatt (like all UTH's) does not change the air temperature in the cage. All they do is heat the cage floor. If the room stays at least 65 and 68 or above most of the time Flexwatt will be all that you need. If the room gets and stays too much colder than that a radiant heat panel will be a much better choice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

That depends on how cold the room that the cage is in will be. Flexwatt (like all UTH's) does not change the air temperature in the cage. All they do is heat the cage floor. If the room stays at least 65 and 68 or above most of the time Flexwatt will be all that you need. If the room gets and stays too much colder than that a radiant heat panel will be a much better choice.

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If I use Flexwatt, would I be able to use a natural substrate?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bushido

Thanks.

I'm on their site now browsing. Is flexwatt belly heat enough for them?

- - - Updated - - -

Is this sufficient?

T10/Sliding Glass
Item # T10/Sliding Glass
Cage Top Style: , Cage Color: Black Cage

Sliding Door Lock

Flexwatt Belly Heat

White Flourescent Light

POP IN, POP OUT DIVIDER

8" Stand

I have two acurite's in the two tanks now, plus two UTH, hides, water bowls. All I would need is a thermostat, right?

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Yes all you will need is a thermostat

if you are going to use a divider you need to order 2 fluorescent lights... when you order 1 they mount it in the center of the cage which makes using the divider difficult to impossible...

Other than that looks good.

one last quick thing to note. The T8 is what they call a quick ship item which means that it will be shipped out of their facility in 10 days or less. Their other cages are not quick ship items currently this means that it can take a few weeks (sometimes up to 6-8 weeks) for the cage to arrive. It is certainly worth the wait though.

- - - Updated - - -

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bushido

If I use Flexwatt, would I be able to use a natural substrate?

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as long as you keep the layer thin. I have successfully used aspen shavings, cypress mulch, and Eco-Earth (pulverized coconut husk *looks like dirt) in AP cages using just flexwatt successfully as long as I used 1/2" thick or less of them. The thinner the better.

If I order two lights, do they space them out for the divider? And does the actual light bulb come with the set-up?

Thanks for all the help. You will have my two snakes living life like a boss. I'm going to go with the T8. The sooner the better for my BRB and her humidity needs. Will those thermostat's suffice on Amazon (the cheaper ones?). I'm already dropping close to $400 on this set-up now, and will eventually have to buy another one for the BRB when it out grows it's section....which brings me to my next question.

When it's time to take the divider out and give each snake their own set-up. Can the flexwatt belly heat be removed? Or is it a one time stick em type of deal like it is with the zoomed UTH? I'm asking because you said to place it in the middle for the two snakes in one tank w/divider.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bushido

If I order two lights, do they space them out for the divider? And does the actual light bulb come with the set-up?

Thanks for all the help. You will have my two snakes living life like a boss. I'm going to go with the T8. The sooner the better for my BRB and her humidity needs. Will those thermostat's suffice on Amazon (the cheaper ones?). I'm already dropping close to $400 on this set-up now, and will eventually have to buy another one for the BRB when it out grows it's section....which brings me to my next question.

When it's time to take the divider out and give each snake their own set-up. Can the flexwatt belly heat be removed? Or is it a one time stick em type of deal like it is with the zoomed UTH? I'm asking because you said to place it in the middle for the two snakes in one tank w/divider.

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when you order 2 lights they are spaced so that you can use a divider, and yes they do come with the bulbs (18" T8 tubes)

Here you can see 2 sides of the same cage (shows the light spacing)

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...s/3f1e76f3.jpg

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...s/2c04fa33.jpg

and together:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0459.jpg

the hydrofarm thermostats will work. eventually (in a year or so) I would upgrade to something like a herpstat though

Flexwatt doesn't have any adhesive on it. it has to be taped to the bottom of the cage (with the supplied foil tape) it can be removed and reapplied. the tape will have to be replaced... you can get it at most hardware stores or even Walmart. (make sure when you order the cage that you ask them to put a second thermostat probe slot in the middle of the cage for use with the divider.

This picture shows the flexwatt taped to the bottom of the cage set up for use with a divider. You can see the outline and thermostat probe slot on the side for use without a divider

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0439.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

(make sure when you order the cage that you ask them to put a second thermostat probe slot in the middle of the cage for use with the divider.

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I assume I would have to call them to request that? Because I don't see that option on their site now. I was about to just check out online and be done with the process. lol

It also says (roughly) 48x24x12, so what are the EXACT measurements of the T8?

After you order the cage they send you an email with an invoice that they want you to confirm your order is correct before they start fabricating it... at this time you will have the opportunity to ask them for the modification.

The T8 measures:

48 1/8" x 23 1/2" x 11 3/4" on the outside. All of the walls are 1/2" thick so the inside dimensions of the cage are 47 1/8" x 22 1/2" x 10 3/4"

Thanks,

I'm going to sleep on this (def going to get the set-up..), just want to do some shopping around and see if there's not something better. Would you recommend the Animal Plastic site over these guys cages? And how sturdy/durable is your current set-up since it is plastic?

http://www.pvccages.com/new/index.php

Thank you 1,000,000 x +1 for all your help and pointing in the right direction. It's 6:27 AM where I'm at, and my eyes and brain have been focused on snakes for the past 10 hours and 27 minutes. I need some shut eye before I burn out.

I'll be posting/checking this thread when I wake up, and looking forward to what you have to say (as well as others...) By the way, the humidity in my glass 20g tank right now reads 70%...Not bad.

The build quality on the AP cages I have is amazing. I can literally stand on them. I don't have any first hand experience with PVCcages.com I know f people who like them but personally I'm sticking weigh Ap their products are built like tanks and their customer service is phenomenal.