Enclosure - The forever home question

So its getting to become Christmas time and I'm being asked what I want. I know my BP needs a upgrade so I figure why not ask for that. Price isn't really to big of a issue. But here is what I came up with on thoughts when picking a enclosure.

Want the enclosure to be "view friendly", all the animals I own I like to be able to make it look realistic and nice to watch. I thought about doing a glass tank, but using a screen top with tin foil for humidity isn't really pleasurable to me (although that's what I am doing currently).

Want the enclosure to fit the snakes needs, so size is important. I know the care sheet says 36x18x12, is this correct for their life span?

Now suggestions? I looked at animal plastics T3, any one have input with that? Good/bad?
Recommend anything else?

This new setup will require everything new, so new UTH, new hides, new bedding, new lighting. Also need some form of heat control, any input on that I appreciate.

Last thing, do they make any with LEDs in them so they can run during night to give a moon effect? This way you can have that nice moon effect and also be able to see them at night?

I use a 40-gallon glass tank for my adult male. As long as you wipe it down every week or so, it is very transparent. If you're just using the basic heat pad plus light combo then any T-stat you are using right now should be OK. For my glass tanks, I like to saturate my substrate on a weekly basis and allow it dry throughout the week, my screen is unblocked. One thing to keep in mind though, is the more stuff you have in the cage, the more cleaning you have to do so it pays to have some nice front opening doors like those on AP cages...I love my 40-gallon, but having to reach in from the top every cleaning day does get a bit inconvenient.

A animal plastics T8 would be nice looking.

Yea I saw the T8 too but didnt know if that was to big, or really didn't know if too big is really a issue with BPs.

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Originally Posted by EWC88

Yea I saw the T8 too but didnt know if that was to big, or really didn't know if too big is really a issue with BPs.

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Too big is only an issue if too few hides. I think T8's are on sale now and would give you plenty of room for making things display worthy. A good book to check out if you have not already is The Art of Keeping Snakes by Phillipe de vosjoli (I probably butchered his name).

I will have to check that book out, thanks!

This my setup for my two ball pythons - this setup will last forever, I never plan on moving them out of it.

T8 from Animal Plastics w/divider, glass doors and lock (I house a ball python on each side)
x2 Reptile Basics 28 Watt Radiant Heat Panel (one for each side)
x2 Fluorescent Fixture (purchased with T8 from animal plastics)
Magnets - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (to mount the humidity/temperature gauge)
Timer - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (I used these to have my lights on an on/off timer)
Herpstat 4 (controls my UTH and RHP's)
Handles for the T8 Glass Doors - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
x2 NatureSun 2.0 bulbs (replaced the bulbs that are sent with the light fixtures from AP)
x2 Reptile Basic Hides http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes
Cable Mounts - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (used to mount RHP probes)
x2 Crock Water Dishes http://www.arcatapet.com/item.cfm?cat=1898
Substrate http://www.papermart.com/regular-b-f...s/id=4609#4609 - I choose this substrate as it looks nice and clean, it runs about $50.00, has lasted my over a year. I still have 1/3 of the roll left from a purchase on 11/2012
UTH - THG Heat Tape from Reptile Basics
Humidity/Temperature gauge - http://www.amazon.com/EXTREMELY-ACCU.../dp/B00BDN2ILC
IR Gun - I used this one - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1.
Stand - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-...to-55/20666560 (This is what mt T8's sit on, looks nice and length wise, measurements are perfect)


This particular setup is close to approximately $1200.00, but worth every penny. I don't worry about temperature, humidity, nothing, very easy to maintain and looks very nice. Below is a very detail post that gives some additional information about setting up a T8.

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

T8s are also on quick ship.. so you don't have to wait as long to get it.

I would definitely get a t8. It's going to be the same price or even less then the smaller tanks they sell and be shipped out quicker then the others. If you feel it's too big buy it with a divider for now and when your ball gets bigger take the divider out and let him have the whole area.

Ok looks like the T8 is the way to go. Now with the enclosure, would a UTH be good enough or would a RHP be needed as well?

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Originally Posted by EWC88

Ok looks like the T8 is the way to go. Now with the enclosure, would a UTH be good enough or would a RHP be needed as well?

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If you ask me, it's up to you. If you live someplace that tends to have a pretty cold winter then a RHP might be more convenient for you that away you do not have to worry about setting up a space heater or anything. If you have mild weather or do not mind a space heater should the cool side need a little extra then yeah belly heat should do the trick. You can also have a screen cut out applied to the cage top that would allow the use of a heat lamp, which could also be used to supplement belly heat. In the end, most people will just use what is most convenient for them.

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Originally Posted by EWC88

Ok looks like the T8 is the way to go. Now with the enclosure, would a UTH be good enough or would a RHP be needed as well?

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I use both just to help for colder temps during winter months.


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I live in NJ so we do get a cold winter, but usually are house is maintain in the 70s. So would you recommend it?

Would I only operate the RHP for winter months then just use the UTH for all year round? Does the RHP need to be on a thermostat like the UTH?

Yes, the RHP will need to be, at the very least, on a dimmer. Any heat sources near your snakes should be regulated in some fashion.

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Originally Posted by EWC88

I live in NJ so we do get a cold winter, but usually are house is maintain in the 70s. So would you recommend it?

Would I only operate the RHP for winter months then just use the UTH for all year round? Does the RHP need to be on a thermostat like the UTH?

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I am purchasing a T-stat for some panels I am getting after December, so I would recommend it yes. If it's between year round belly heat and ambient air temp then I would choose belly heat. I am going be using 4 panels, all connected to a Herpstat 4; however, any well reviewed proportional T-stat should do the job, I had a bad experience with a Helix earlier but in all honesty I did not really give it a chance...only let it run about 18 hours before I got fed up with it not working properly, many others have used the model with great success.

What are some good recommendations on t stats?

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Originally Posted by EWC88

What are some good recommendations on t stats?

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Herpstats

http://spyderrobotics.com


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I'm guessing I should get the herpstats 2? Also where do you guys get your RHPs?

Also any input on LEDs for that night effect?

If your house is above 70, RHP isn't really needed, belly heat will be just fine. I personally use the herpstat thermostats and highly recommend them, each outlet will control one heating element. So if you're just using belly heat you only need one port to control the one continuous strip of tape. Having spare ports in your thermostat can be good or bad depending on your personality, if you're like me spare capacity (whether in the form of capacity to heat another rack, or spare tubs) makes it way to easy to justify buying more snakes to fill it.

A few words about AP products, I use their racks and I have been very happy with them. They are made of good quality materials, easy to put together, and are good value for money. Pretty much everything that says 'on sale' is always on sale, so don't feel pressure to decide immediately (t8's have been 'on sale' for at least two years now). "Quick ship" however is a relative term. The last rack I ordered was "quick ship," it still took a month to arrive. I would bet money that even if you order it right now, you will not see it until early January at the soonest.

If you want to go super crazy on LED lighting (and money is no object) this will do everything, and then some.
http://www.joshsfrogs.com/jungle-hob...ng-system.html

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Originally Posted by EWC88

I'm guessing I should get the herpstats 2? Also where do you guys get your RHPs?

Also any input on LEDs for that night effect?

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The Herpstat you get will depend on how many heat sources you are controlling. My setup I have a UTH and two RHP's so I went with a Herpstat 4.

I bought my RHP's from reptile basics - http://www.reptilebasics.com/rbi-radiant-heat-panels


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What other features do you recommend getting with the AP? Is the flexwatt big enough for that enclosure since its 11"?

Also if I was to buy a seperate light, do they still have the hole in it for the light cable to exit enclosure to plug into a socket?

The only features I got with mine was the locking glass doors (I think they have another choice for doors), a divider and fluorescent lights. The 11inch tape will be fine. I went with the 12inch THG from reptile basics, I wanted the extra inch since two snakes were sharing the same strip of heat tape.


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