Thoughts on proposed cage set up

So my son is getting his first ball when he turns six in march. I would like to have a cage set up 2 weeks prior to make sure our temps are appropriate.
here is my shopping list, please add or change on your experience. This is my first reptile so I need all the help I can get.
-animal plastics t8 with sliding glass doors
-sliding door lock
-11" flex watt belly heat
-hydrofarm thermostat
-accrulite probe thermometer
-2 identical hides
-zoo med dimable clamp lamp (for ambient temps)
-infrared heat gun to double check temps
-substrate starting with paper moving to a natural looking product safe for a snake
thoughts?
stm

Water dish... Mayb a spray bottle and something to measure humidity

Reptile dirt is natural looking n I used it in my living room tank to help keep humidity up

Sorry water dish was over looked but will be a obvious component

If youre going to be using a lamp, don't forget to get the cut outs on the t8.

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Originally Posted by Seanjackmc

Sorry water dish was over looked but will be a obvious component

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Im just getting my setup going as well.. There's a lot lore to it then u first think.. Best of luck

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Originally Posted by BoostedMX3

Im just getting my setup going as well.. There's a lot lore to it then u first think.. Best of luck

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I'm feeling overwhelmed right now. I just want to make a happy home for my sons ball. I wish someone created a intro to ball python thread where they spelled out everything you need with names and links. Tere seems to be too many options for a first timer it's hard to tell what you really need.
thanks for the replies
stm

I know what u r feeling I am bringing home my first bp on Sunday reason there isn't an exact how to so to speak is due to the fact that everyone's set up needs to be a little diff based on where u live and such. House temps humidity and all that..

How does anyone afford all those things at once? A T8 cage alone costs 3 arms and 5 legs.

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Originally Posted by TheSnakeGuy

How does anyone afford all those things at once? A T8 cage alone costs 3 arms and 5 legs.

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Idk I built my enclosure for about 40 bucks accessories maybe 150 tops.. Thats including the herpstat+

If you're ordering a T8 and things from AP already, you could probably use a radiant heat panel? They're available with the T8, I believe... It'd be easier than fighting with a lamp all the time.

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Originally Posted by TheSnakeGuy

How does anyone afford all those things at once? A T8 cage alone costs 3 arms and 5 legs.

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It's called saving your money.
I'd love to be able to get my PVC cages as cheap as animal plastics.

I paid over $700 for my PVC cage, heat tape, rhp, and herpstat 2.

I just spent about 1000 total on three cages from proline, 3 RHPs from pro products, and johnson controls thermostats. :( It will be totally worth it though if I can get them set up in nice cages with stable heat and himidity and I can turn my darn heat down! lol

I use RHP's with my T8's (I have two 28 watt panels due to using a divider to house two balls). I would also go with the 12 inch flex watt from reptile basics, should be just a tad bit cheaper and seems to be a better quality product.

The fluorescent lights aren't bad either, not required since balls don't require special lighting, but nice to have. I replaced the lights from AP with two Reptisun 2.0 lights that are on a 12 hour on/off timer.

Also if you do pick up a RHP this should be regulated with a thermostat as well.


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