Considering switching from glass tank to PVC, but had some questions.

I'm leaning towards replacing me Exo Terra vivarium with an AP T3.

My biggest concern is humidity. I know that immediately PVC will help a lot compared to my current glass setup, but it still worries me. Right now I have a humidifier with a hygrometer just to keep it to 50. I tried water dishes alone (four of them), and I couldn't keep it above 35%. So without a humidifier (I'd like to sell it with the vivarium), what would my humidity increasing options be? I understand several water dishes with radiant heat panels tends to suffice, but it concerns me and I wanted to ask people who know more about setups than I.

The AP site says you can get a White Fluorescent Fixture, to anyone's knowledge are their IR lights that will fit this setup?

From what I read in the PVC setup thread, if I plan to use a thicker substrate, I should use radiant heat panels rather than flexwatt. I've seen a few prices, but wanted to ask what someone thinks I'd end up paying for this? I don't plan to use a divider, as I only have one animal.

I appreciate all the help.

For kicks, here is a pic of my current setup.

http://i.imgur.com/VILUuBI.jpg

Welcome to the forum. :welcome:

I have the exact same tank, no humidifier.

I use Eco-earth (coconut husk), and foil top panels in the screen.

Humidity is NOT a problem. I can usually keep it at 60% no problem by pouring a qt of water on the hot side once a week and a pt on the cool.

However I ran into a problem as stated on another thread in that my adult snake kept splashing all of her water out of her bowl for a month.
The humidity shot up to 80 +. So for the last 3 weeks I've had 3 of the top foil panels off to regulate the humidity back to 60%.

I bought this tank before knowing about PVC.
My next enclosure for my new non planned rescue Boa will be a PVC. HOWEVER, as long as this glass reptile one is working, it's a keeper.

Might be where you live then, because I use Eco Earth coconut fiber as well, and the humidity is a nightmare.

I think it would make a huge difference as you won't have a screen top to deal with. That's the main problem, getting a screen top to be sealed with tinfoil or something else is a struggle. I've got a 55 gallon glass fish tank, have 90% of the top covered in foil, a large water dish half under the lamp and moss in a few Dixie cups and my humidity ranges from 50-60%.

Is that thermometer reading 97 degrees? If so, that's too hot.

I have several pvc tanks and with a water bowl my gauges read around 60% normally, even now in winter time. I did add a humidifier recently for my Herps that needs high humidity but it's never been an issue for my ball python even with a heat lamp in a large cage. Ideally a heat panel and/or under tank heater only would be best, heat lamps will suck so much moisture out but needed in my cold house to keep temps correct in his cage. Price is going to depend on what company, size, accessories but seems like 3-400 is the norm for a pvc setup complete.


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It is, but I have three different temperature guages on that side. The thermostat connected to my lamp says 89 right now, and the temp gauge I have inside of it says 84.

Yes, I am planning to get a temp gun because these cheaper options are getting ridiculous.

As to price, I reread that and saw it wasn't very clear. I meant how much for the radiant heat panels if I go that route.

I've got a T8. Low humidity isn't an issue for me, high humidity is sometimes. Especially when you put fresh mulch in, the moisture fogs up the glass. I got 2 40 watt RHP from reptile basics for $64 each(I use the divider).

You should have no humidity issues at all

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nodnarb3do

It is, but I have three different temperature guages on that side. The thermostat connected to my lamp says 89 right now, and the temp gauge I have inside of it says 84.

Yes, I am planning to get a temp gun because these cheaper options are getting ridiculous.

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That is a little ridiculous. I'm hoping the acurite one I got from walmart holds up for a bit.

If you type radiant heat in the search bar up towards the top of the page you may find some threads on it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nodnarb3do

Might be where you live then, because I use Eco Earth coconut fiber as well, and the humidity is a nightmare.

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The humidity in the house runs 38-40%

Unless it is a very cold day for East Texas, in the 20s/30s all day (uncommon) and the heat runs all day. Then of course the humidity will drop significantly.
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...b7f357a372.jpg

So doing the math, it looks like I'd run something like $560, a lot of that coming from the Herpstat 2. But the 2 would allow me to run both a RHP (keep the whole cage at 80ish), and a flexwatt for hotspot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nodnarb3do

So doing the math, it looks like I'd run something like $560, a lot of that coming from the Herpstat 2. But the 2 would allow me to run both a RHP (keep the whole cage at 80ish), and a flexwatt for hotspot.

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You can always post a wanted ad on the For Sale part of this forum or Fauna Classifieds for a used Herpstat. I got one of mine Herpstat 4s for $200 bucks. I just put what I was looking for and what I was willing to pay.

Switching to PVC is probably the best decision i've ever made! With the RHPs connected to my Herpstats I never worry about temps (I also live in California which helps). Just make sure you get a proper wattage RHP for the enclosure.

If you want to increase humidity, i'd suggest using coconut husk as substrate. It absorbs moisture very well and pro ides great humidity. Additionally, if I were you, i'd go for the AP T8 instead of the T3 just because the T8 will work as a forever home for your snake.

Also if you haven't yet, check out this thread. It will answer a lot of your questions:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=165571

Yeah, that was the thread that made me want to switch over. As to price, I kinda of...just ordered everything already.

I have a habit of impulse buying once I've made up my mine. I went with the T3 though. Pretty sure 36x24x12 should suffice for one BP throughout his life.

As to wattage, most of what I read suggested a 40W should suffice, so I went 80 just to make sure. Figure with it being regulated by a thermostat, the worst case scenario is I'm out a little extra cash.

Would coconut husk be that much better than coconut fiber? I wouldn't object to a change, but I'll probably wait to see much better it is in PVC than in current glass.

Thanks for the classified advice though. If I'd been even slightly patient, sure it would've saved me a pretty penny.

This should also be a lot easier to transport cross country here in about four months. Not with him in it, mind you, just in general.

T3 is not bad at all. I just figured you'd go with a T8 because it's a little bit bigger and cheaper. The T8 is also a quick ship item so you will get it much faster than the T3 which might take 5-8 weeks. You can contact Ali at AP and she should be able to tell you the production time for both. Personally, I like the T10 thr most because it gives you a little bit of needed height for cleaning.

The 80w RHP is perfect. The 40 wouldn't have been enough. Since I have two of my AP enclosures split (I have 3 in total), I use a 40w in each half. In regards to the substrate, I guess coco husk might hold a tad more moisture just because they're actual pieces. You're right though. Once you set up the enclosure, you can decide if you need more humidity.

Checked into the T8 for quick ship, but that's only glass doors. With the humidity issues, I definitely want acrylic. Taking no more chances with this. But I will get in touch with them about T8 acrylic vs. T3 acrylic. The T8 acrylic would actually run me just a bit more, so I'm sure they'd let me switch.