How's my tank? Any tips? hints?

Ok. As you all know I just recently adopted my girl from a BAD home. Her tank is 36" by 18" by 18". So. After about $150 this is what I put together. Lol and no I don't mind spending money for the nice stuff (she's family too ya know).
But anywho... I know I need a better hydrometer/ thermometer combo for overall tank readings. I bought a cheapie stick on one... Aaaaaand needless to say for now it just sits on my lid(lesson learned). I would like to also change to flourescent lighting with night time bulb, a nice mist setup, and a few more vine type climbs... The wrap for the tank is from petco, being more outdoors in nature I think it looks great!

Anyhow the tank:

This is the hot side (obviously). The light stays up a bit because I bought an over rated bulb... Took a lot of moving to get the damn temp right and basking/climb spot to not burn her(another lesson learned thankfully before this was her home). There's a tiny heat pad under the rock hide and stone corner water dish.

The cool side. Just a large water dish/pond. I clean it every few days... Since she's blueing for shed my friend said there's a vitamin to put in it but I bought shed aid spray. Should there be another hide over there? Perhaps another climb? Hmmmm....

Both sides have a stick on thermometer...

Anyways. Thank everyone for looking! Please let me know if I should change anything or am maybe doing something wrong.

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Let me know what all of you think!

I do suggest two identical hides for each side for thermoregulation. I also highly suggest a digital thermometer/hygrometer and/or a temp gun, as those stickie thermometers aren't accurate in the least.

Looks like a good start. Try to get 2 identical hides one for the hot side one for cool. That way he wont have to chose a favorite and not be able to thermoregulate.
Definetly get a thermostat for your uth (this is a must not optional)

Also bps dont need special lighting or vitamins. Lighrs are generally just used to keep up ambient temps. If you use one i suggest a red or blue bulb. They dobt interfere with the snakes natural night and day cycles.

Lastly you can go pic up a accurite digital indoor/outdoor thermometer/hygrometer for 12$

:)

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Yeah I've been looking into a digital combo for the temp/humidity. Does it matter if the hides are identical? Pure curiosity...

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Originally Posted by PorcelainxDoll

Definetly get a thermostat for your uth (this is a must not optional)

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Yes! Can't stress this enough.

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Originally Posted by Kris Mclaughlin

Yeah I've been looking into a digital combo for the temp/humidity. Does it matter if the hides are identical? Pure curiosity...

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Technically, it's not 100% necessary. However if they prefer one over the other (let's say the 'cool' one for arguments' sake), then they will continue to stay in the cool hide and not thermoregulate properly. They will sacrifice their safety for security.

X2 on the T-Stat and the hides. They dont have to be anything fancy either I use cut plastic flower pots untill my snakes reach about 600g or so. This saves a little cash as they do grow quickly when everything is set up correctly and they are eating like pigs :)

Look up the hydrofarm thermostat its like $30

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Identical hides..... Why

both my guys have different hides,

Diablo only has one !! He loves to burrow I found him never using it so I set up a corner just for him !! Besides he has his Drift Wood hide he loves that

Aurora on the other hand moves from cool side to hot side at will, I even thought hmmm one day im going to switch the hides from one side to the other, You know what no change !!

The way I see it is in the wild they are not likely to find the same place time after time, as long as they are the proper size and make them comfortable IMHO thats all that matters

Thanks everyone. Looks like I'm after a stat... I work in the hvac field so should be able to make something lol. If not the pet place is a skip away!!! Thank you all

Also I would not bother with the shed ease. Just keep your humidity up a bit when they are about to shed.

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Originally Posted by ExotixTowing

Identical hides..... Why

both my guys have different hides,

Diablo only has one !! He loves to burrow I found him never using it so I set up a corner just for him !! Besides he has his Drift Wood hide he loves that

Aurora on the other hand moves from cool side to hot side at will, I even thought hmmm one day im going to switch the hides from one side to the other, You know what no change !!

The way I see it is in the wild they are not likely to find the same place time after time, as long as they are the proper size and make them comfortable IMHO thats all that matters

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I have 2 similar hides, and my bp can tell the difference. He does prefer one over the other but he will move if he gets to hot for a bit.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by ExotixTowing

Identical hides..... Why

both my guys have different hides,

Diablo only has one !! He loves to burrow I found him never using it so I set up a corner just for him !! Besides he has his Drift Wood hide he loves that

Aurora on the other hand moves from cool side to hot side at will, I even thought hmmm one day im going to switch the hides from one side to the other, You know what no change !!

The way I see it is in the wild they are not likely to find the same place time after time, as long as they are the proper size and make them comfortable IMHO thats all that matters

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While identical hides aren't required, there are some snakes that will pick their favorite because it makes them feel safer.

"In the wild" arguments are not relevant. These animals are not in the wild, they are in captivity. Their captive environment doesn't resemble their wild environment in the slightest, except for maybe the temperatures.

You can use different hides, some snakes will be totally fine with that. but if you find a snake favoring one hide over another, it might be time to get some identical hides. Each snake is different. It is up to us, the keepers, to decipher our snakes needs and preferences. :)

Don't think it matters if the hides are the same or not. The bottom line is if you snake is choosing one side over the other all the time he/she is possibly not thermoregulating so you should try to figure out why. Simple answer may be one hide is not secure enough, it could just as easily be too hot or too cold. So if your snake is moving back and forth at least every once in a while then your hides are probalby just fine. Your snake could also be bullheaded and decide he likes one hide for any random reason and ain't leaving. Its your job as an owner to figure out what's going on in that little snakey head.

I've been trying to but I'm coming off of a bad hernia surgery... All I have is a spray bottle lol... She's been all about that stump... It has a very coarse texture to it.

Alternate question. There is a small heat pad maybe a 4x4 under the rock hide. There is another matching one under the stone water dish in the corner. Are both always necessary? Should I move them?:confusd:

By the way. Thank all of you. It's been very enlightening. I do my.best to be in the little snakey mind :P I want her to live long and prosper (pun intended).

I really like your set-up but i would go with two of the same hides or you might run into the same problem i am having with him stay on the cool side because he likes that hide better ......

.... and then when you run out to the pet store to get him an identical hide find him back over the hot spot in his old hide.


Yeah.....I can't get in his little snakey mind either. :P

X2 on no shed ease

They nothing more than good humidity for shed

Nice start. I like the look of your overall setup. x2 on the thermometer.... the Accurite digital one from Walmart is great. Will run you about $12... the box part goes on the cool side and measures ambient temp and humidity. Probe goes on the hot side and just measures temp. As others have said, the shed aid is not needed if the humidity is correct... I think 70-75% during shed or so. Good luck to you!