Zilla cages

So I wanted to order a animal plastics t3 for my six year olds birthday. He has picked out a ball he is in love with from a well known breeder. The lead time on a t3 is at least 8 weeks. That won't cut it. In the mean time I purchased a Zilla terrarium 30x12x18 with screen top. It's not ideal but I think it will do until we can get our t3. I wrapped three sides. We have repti bark in it. I ordered a zoo med uth with a hydro farm thermostat for hot spot. I also ordered a zoo med dimmable 8.5 dome with a zoo med 150 watt ceramic heat emitter. Also I have the acurite digital indoor outdoor thermometer with humidity. Water bowl and a few decorations my kid picked out. What do you all think.
next question is what size hides for a 500 gram snake? I cant decide.
thanks for everyone's help you guys are great my boy is so excited!
stm

The black plastic hides from Reptile basics are nice and cheap :) http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

Sounds like you have definitely done your homework :gj:

2x .... they are the best ...

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Originally Posted by mshadows

2x .... they are the best ...

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Glad to hear you are happy with it. I think I made the mistake reading too much! There is so much info out there I get overwhelmed. I still think ill be ordering a t3 unless my kids new bp loves his home.
thanks for the info on the reptile basics. What size is appropriate for a 500 gram snake? I'm trying to visualize the snake and its size in a hide but I am having a hard time. I'm think the large size.
thanks
stm

I would say medium. I have a large for my adult male ball python and he is a little small for it.

Ya definitely not large...medium should be small enough that he feels secure, but large enough that it'll last a little while :)

Thanks so much guys ill order first thing in am. It's so cool my son got to hold about 20 different balls last Friday and decided a ghost ball was his favorite. We got to handle it about 5 times on our visit and it was awesome. Plus I think it was the cheapest of all the snakes he viewed. He really likes the black and grey look. Daddy was happy too! Although I have my eye on a few snakes that cost a mortgage payment in NYC.
Maybe some day ill join him, for now I want it to be special for him.
stm

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Originally Posted by Pennstater6

I would say medium. I have a large for my adult male ball python and he is a little small for it.

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By the way both my wife and I graduated from penn state. Cool to meet another nittany lion!

Good choice, it will make some nice combos if you ever decide to breed :)

.... sorry i was giving props to the reptile basics hides ...dont know much about zilla products it may be fine, see how keeping correct husbandry is , if its effortless keep it for a while ...but im sure you like the t3 better.

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Originally Posted by Griffith

Good choice, it will make some nice combos if you ever decide to breed :)

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Thanks, it was funny we viewed it on the website before we went and he knew right away that's what he wanted. Once he handled it, it was a done deal. The snake was super tame even with my three year old running around it and sticking her face in the snakes face. He is on cloud nine!

....life long fan myself !!!!

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Originally Posted by mshadows

.... sorry i was giving props to the reptile basics hides ...dont know much about zilla products it may be fine, see how keeping correct husbandry is , if its effortless keep it for a while ...but im sure you like the t3 better.

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Lol, no worries I think the tank will be fine for now. It's in my kids bedroom so there won't be a lot of activity durning day or after 8. I think the new snake will be fine.
stm

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Originally Posted by Seanjackmc

By the way both my wife and I graduated from penn state. Cool to meet another nittany lion!

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That's awesome. We Are!

Penn state, we graduated in 2004. I played football joe pa RIP. my wife went to state college high. Man I could go for a beer ath the rathskeller about now.

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Originally Posted by Seanjackmc

Penn state, we graduated in 2004. I played football joe pa RIP. my wife went to state college high. Man I could go for a beer ath the rathskeller about now.

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I'm a freshman in my second semester. But I grew up in a penn state family. We only live 20 miles or so from campus

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Originally Posted by Pennstater6

I'm a freshman in my second semester. But I grew up in a penn state family. We only live 20 miles or so from campus

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Very cool, my wifes whole family are Penn Staters. Its a great place to go to school. Im sure you will love every minute of it. What town are you from? I have a bunch of friends from around the area.

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Originally Posted by Seanjackmc

Very cool, my wifes whole family are Penn Staters. Its a great place to go to school. Im sure you will love every minute of it. What town are you from? I have a bunch of friends from around the area.

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Philipsburg it's west of state college. Pretty small town

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Originally Posted by Pennstater6

Philipsburg it's west of state college. Pretty small town

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Oh yeah I know it well. Before the highway was finished I used to get onto 322 there into state college. So much easier now.

For hides I just went to the dollar store and got some tupperwear, painted it black and then sealed it. The work well with smaller snakes, bigger snakes are more likely to flip them.
Be careful with the zilla terrariums with the sliding tops if you have cats, the screens are not the strongest...

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Originally Posted by Lupe

For hides I just went to the dollar store and got some tupperwear, painted it black and then sealed it. The work well with smaller snakes, bigger snakes are more likely to flip them.
Be careful with the zilla terrariums with the sliding tops if you have cats, the screens are not the strongest...

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We do have cats but my kids room is off limits but I will keep an eye on it. I have a zoo med dimmable lighting fixture on top. Is it ok to have it sitting right on the cage? My bulb won't be here until tomorrow so I haven't had a chance to check it for temps yet but I will play with it.
thanks

I never had an issue with light on top of it, just try to make sure the bulb doesn't directly touch the screen (or the plastic on the sides, it's pretty hard to open them with the lid is melted to the siding)