Newb heating question

Hi all,
I have been lurking for w while trying to learn as much as I can. I got but by the BP bug and built myself a wooden viv. I have a 10x 11 heat mat and reptile bark for the substrate. The viv is 16 deep 27 wide and 41 tall. I know that they aren't climbers too much so I have a second level so the height dosent do to waist. I haven't set it up yet but I was wanting to pick your brains abouty ideas on setting it up to avoid any prob. I am going to sandwich the uth between either 2 sheets of plexiglass or one sheet of plexiglass and a ceramic tile on top and put it in the viv. Is that ok? Next question do you think I will need to add a ceramic heat light at the top to help with the ambient heat and to heat the second level or should I just use 2 heat mats one for each level. I will be going to a expo this weekend and hope to come home with a new friend and just want to make sure that I have the best place for them to come home too. Also would you pick up a baby or a yearling or am adult. I am a first time snake owner and I want it to be a chill as possible and be able to have my kids handle it without it biting. Ain't and all suggestions are appreciated

Sorry about all of the typos fat fingers little phone lol

Any one ?????
I just want to make sure that I am doing it right before I get one this weekend. I would rather learn from others than make mistakes on my own.

Honestly I woul just sell that cage and buy a 36x18x12 glass tank from a pet shop if you need something now or pick up a PVC cage from the expo. The cage you have sounds more like a GTP style cage and since your BP isn't a climber really, trying to heat that whole cage to the floor is going to a lot of work plus trying to get the humidity. As for sandwiching a UTH between that stuff, I say bad idea. There wont be any airflow and I'd be willing to bet it would overheat, not to mention, you put that in the snake cage and the snake pisses on it and it seeps in, you are done. Also UTH don't heat the air so its pointless as you would have a cold cage with a couple warm spots. But like I said, a BP can live its life out in 36x18x12 cage fine and it will be much easier to heat and control humidity.

Thank you for the reply. I will look into cages at the expo. If I cant grab a cage at the expo how would you try and go about heating the viv I have? How high wattage ceramic heater would you use? on a thermostat of course.

I think the cage sounds cool... I'd recommend using a RHP though, on the top, and a UTH on the bottom.... But that is only half A$$ information because we can't see it. Can you post a pic so we can give better advice?

I am trying to but I cant attach the photos

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Originally Posted by I BALL OUT

I am trying to but I cant attach the photos

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http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-Post-Pictures

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/...scwmwcnrw.jpeghttp://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/...s4atomdp0.jpeg

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http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/...psysilevua.jpgThe shelf

Cool enclosure.

Make sure that all gets VERY well sealed, including the shelf.

As far as heating, this is going to be a bit of a nightmare, lol. I'd add a ceramic bulb with a cage near the top, start with 150 watt and see how it goes. Also, you'll need a UTH on the bottom. What type of door are you going to have, glass, plastic or mesh?

That sehlf is neat, but not what I pictured. BP's are pretty clumsy. If it falls off of that shelf (which is will do) it may get hurt.

Personally, I'd advise (Unless you already have the snake) that you choose a different snake that would better suite this habitat. Something like a GTP.

Thanks!
The door is plexi. I sealed sealed and resealed lol. I was thinking of a GTP but I really want a handlable snake as this is my first and I have kids who want to be able to handle it as well that's why I am going for the BP. I will get the 150 and see how my levels are before I get to the expo. I just want to make sure that I have the best possible set up whitch I know that this isn't but I am trying to make it work at least the best it can. Do the best I can with what I have. I am going to look into other cages at the expo but if I cant I want to at least have somewhere for it to come home too.

Update:
It took forever to get my set up right and temps to acceptable levels. The shelf was getting wayyyyyy to hot 102. I wound up having to take it out for a bit until I could get it right and the bottom was too cold 72 and his hide was around 97. I wound up hooking up the above lights (60w night bulb and 100w CHE) to a dimmer and the UTH to a dimmer also. It took some patients slowly adjusting the dimmer and waiting and adjusting and waiting lol. Now the temps are 90 on the shelf 80 on the bottom and 90 in the hide. He has eaten his first meal and is adjusting well. Super friendly and very active kind of like a boa very inquisitive and totally not a pet rock like some BP's can be. I wound up getting a 2 yr old Ghost Mojave from the expo. I didn't want a baby to avoid the nippy stage as my kids want to be able to handle it. I am still trying to get me humidity up its staying around 40% but can go as low as 25% I am misting 2-3 times a day. and using repti bark and a bowl of soping wet moss to try to remedy this and misting him directly also. Just wanted to say thank you to all who have helped me get to this point so far. Here are some picks

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/...pswm6vfkt9.jpg[IMG]<a href="http://s1147.photobucket.com/user/rfalek/media/photo%205_zpszb77wnzq.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o543/rfalek/photo%205_zpszb77wnzq.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo photo 5_zpszb77wnzq.jpg"/></a>[/IMG]http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/...pspbpsccyu.jpghttp://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/...psl5vtmndh.jpghttp://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/...pss7cb68wt.jpghttp://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8defmmcv.jpghttp://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/...psc15dgssv.jpghttp://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/...psorppmei3.jpg

That setup looks awesome man. Beautiful animal

I know I'm a bit late, I'm currently using a 60w CHE , and a 40-60 (can't remember, it's either 40, 50 or 60) "basking" light I got at petco for $8. The two together keep my temperatures perfect. They were a little low before I got the basking bulb. I also use coconut substrate, which holds humidity, plus a little Moss here and there. I don't like the smell of wet Moss, but it helps during shed. Your enclosure is beautiful. You can also install another small shelf near the lamps, and put a separate water bowl there. Just a few tips and tricks I learned along the way. When you have a standing viv, as opposed to one that lays flat, it's hard to maintain humidity and heat where it should be. I have an old gun cabinet I was thinking of turning into a standing tank and getting a red tail for my mom.

[IMG]http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0q3r67vl.jpg[/IMG]

Thanks everyone I got my humidity at 55 and he is settling in well he slammed his second meal. He's loving his new home as he was used to being in a tub at the breeders now he's in the pent house lol