Pics of what I had hoped was my final setup

Well another dissapointment for today it seems. I was very excited that I finally had my tank done and I could set up the last time before purchasing my BP. Unfortunately it hasn't worked out that way. I'll post details below. But first some pics.


New Carpeting, outdoor carpet bought from Lowe's. Tightest weave I could find.

http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSCF0049.jpg

Everything inside except water bowl.

http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSCF0051.jpg

Totally closed. I bought some heavy duty Bungee Cords very cheap at walmart and they fit PERFECTLY. That BP isn't getting out unless I LET her out ^_^

http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSCF0061.jpg

Now onto my disheartening adventure. After I got my carpet I was pretty excited. I proceeded to measure and cut it to size, and got the best I could. I left my newspaper undearneath as a precaution, figuring I could take it out later. I put my heater on and set my thermostat and went along my merry way. I come back an hour later to an unwelcome smell. It seems to me the bottom of the carpet has something in it that when heated smells. I didnt think it would be a problem considering its supposed to sit outside in 90+ degree weather and not smell. So now I don't know what to do T_T

*is very very sad*

I don't know what the smell would be coming from. I might suggest washing the carpet with soapy water, rinse well, and hang out to dry. Then try it again. But I really don't know. I use Lizard Liner Carpet, and haven't had a problem. Don't feel so bad. At least you're getting all the kinks worked out before you bring your new pet home.

Yeah I wasn't going to wash it until I was done setting up this test, but if it will get rid of the fumes its giving off I will do it.

But otherwise how is the setup? o_O

The set up looks good to me. How is the humidity level?

Humidity is between 55-70%

Washing the carpet now, hopefully it will get rid of the smell. The humidity and the cold side temp were never a problem *Cold side is between 75-80* Its the hotside I can't get right. After emptying my cage, I discovered that the bottom of the tub was sagging, I guess it was too close to the heatpad, so I raised it again. I just hope I can get this all figured out so I can finally get my BP T_T So far all this work and money spent and nothing to show for it, is kinda sucky/

Be patient. Take comfort in knowing you will have a much happier/ less stressed ball python having gotten it's set up just perfect before bringing it home.

I just finished washing my new carpet out, hope it got rid of the stink. Pretty sure it did. Now hopefully they will dry by tomorrow. Do you think putting them outside to dry faster in the sun will "contaminate" them at all? Right now they are hanging up on hangers in the basement drying off.

Best way to dry stuff is to do it the old fashioned way: a clothes line :wink:

Well I cleaned my carpet and its almost dry, hopefully it got rid of the smell otherwise I have 6$ of useless cut up carpet.

Drying in the sun is an excellent way to do it. And if you're going to use carpet like this, you'll want to have at least two pieces because you're going to be washing it again as soon as your snake takes a poo, so to speak. If you have two pieces, you'll have a clean one to plop in there instead of having to wait for it to dry. Then you just alternate the two as needed.

Yeah this is why I got the outdoor carpet instead of lizard liner, I cut 2 pieces out and washed them both, and I still have enough carpet left over for probably 4 more pieces, and it only cost me $6.50 instead of 8.99 for 1 piece of lizard liner.

I have no sun today, its a crappy rainy day. I put them up to dry last night and the water dripped out of 80% of them, the tops are dry the bottoms are still a little wet. I went to town with a blow dryer on them this mornign to help speed up the drying process. Hopefully they will be dry tomorrow, or at least one. I just hope they dont smell anymore, cause if they do I dunno what to do.

If they're still smelly, try leaving them out in the sun for a day or two (even if you have to wait for a sunny day. :wink: ) Natural sunlight is a great way to bleach out the chemical odors from synthetic goods.

I'm about to set my tub up again so I'll know pretty soon if its still smelly, hopefully today will stay sunny so if they get smelly they are going outside. Thanks for the advice Judy ^_^