My First BP Setup

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I got the 10 GAL Basic Tropical Kit from Petsmart. I thought that would be cheaper than getting all the stuff for the 10 GAL I already had. But the items included seem to be pretty low quality, so I probably wouldn't buy it again or recommend it to anyone. I was having problems holding humidity above 40% with one layer of foil. So I added two more layers and increased the surface area covered with the smaller piece. Did I leave enough room for ventilation? I've also noticed that when the lamp is off the humidity increases. It came with a 50W day bulb, should I get a different bulb? I tried my purple nighttime bulb, I think its a 70W that I use over my 20 GAL terrarium, but the ambient heat got into the mid 90's in combination with the heating pad. Without the day bulb the ambient temp is only 72-75. I'm thinking the heating pad is pretty sucky. Neither big box nor any specialty pet stores in my area carry any heat pad thermostats (which I find very very odd). I've got a Hydrofarm MTPRTC coming on Thursday which will help me see how bad the heating pad is. I'm also considering going back to get a thermometer with an actual substrate probe for the hot side and moving the digital one I have in there now to the cool side. I just put the crappy one that came with the kit up because I had it. Also, I'm worried that my hides are too big. I have a 90 gram 2015 on the way. I looked for little plant saucers and bowls in Wal-mart and Lowe's but couldn't find any that weren't clear. I'm also concerned the little cat water bowl will tip over easy. I couldn't find the souffle cups.

Thanks in advance for any input guys!

P.S That container is just sitting up there so I can soak and weigh my snake when he arrives.

Don't turn on your heating pad until you get your thermostat hooked up!

Go ahead and use the a higher wattage heat bulb, but go to lowes or Amazon and get a table top dimmer switch for it for less than ten bucks.

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I'm no expert but I've done tons of research and just got my first BP the other day but I'd recommend getting another temp/hygro guage to monitor the other side... from everything I've read you don't need day/night temp changes. Cold side ~80deg hot side ~90deg at all times. You can get a rod to hang that lamp off to raise it so temps don't get so high (mid 90's) or you can get a dimmer for the bulb.. Good Luck!

Okay thanks guys. I just unplugged the heating pad, the bottom of the tank over the heating pad did feel pretty warm and I don't want to risk a burn. My snake is supposed to be arriving any time now. I don't want to run to Lowe's because my delivery got delayed due to inclement weather half way through so I have no set time frame now. I'll either send my boyfriend out for the dimmer or run and get it as soon as I put Orochimaru in his tank.

Your humidity goes up because the lights off and not drying out the air, you can keep a water bowl with good surface area within the lamps heating area to counter this

Why are you doing to soak the snake when you get it? Not necessary and is going to be more stressful. You are also going to want a thermometer with a prob attached directly to the heat pad to help dial it in with a dimmer switch.

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Originally Posted by M.P.C

Your humidity goes up because the lights off and not drying out the air, you can keep a water bowl with good surface area within the lamps heating area to counter this

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Yeah I figured that was the cause. My humidity dropped to 50 again. So I will rotate the lamp to the side with the water dish and see if that helps.

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Originally Posted by frostysBP

Why are you doing to soak the snake when you get it? Not necessary and is going to be more stressful. You are also going to want a thermometer with a prob attached directly to the heat pad to help dial it in with a dimmer switch.

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I read somewhere that the snake should be soaked after shipping to rehydrate and clean off any urine and such. Is this not a good idea? I've shut the heating pad off for now until my heating pad thermostat comes in the mail Thursday. My boyfriend just went to Lowe's for the dimmer which I'm using for the heat lamp.

Actually I'm confused about the water dish now. I read that you shouldn't put the water dish on the side with the heating pad because it could get spilled and cause a stress crack. And the lamp should be on the hot side right?

Lamp should probably be more towards the middle..it all depends on ur temps tho. If your ambiance are high enough you don't even need a lamp just a uth. Ur humity can be fixed by thrown out the repti carpet and go with cypress mulch or eco earth. They hold humity great and don't mold as easy....or you can gö with the repti carpet and make a humid hide.

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I put the water dish on the side with the lamp for now since the heating pad isn't on currently anyways. I have eco earth since I use it in my anole tank. I was just worried about my bp swallowing substrate. Is that not really a problem? His breeder had him on live hoppers, so I figured I'd do his first few feedings with those before trying to switch him to f/t. I was worried he might swallow more substrate if he was eating live food.

Can you put a dimmer switch on a florescent tube lighting?

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Originally Posted by midnightLeo

Can you put a dimmer switch on a florescent tube lighting?

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Not with florescent bulbs. They will flicker not stay on.

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I feed on all substrates...... f/t is worse because the rat will be wet especially if dethawed in water.. if the ingest some it is not a problem.... you have to think tousands of year of evaluation has made these snakes were they are today....... they are not fragile like a newborn baby........

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Originally Posted by frostysBP

I feed on all substrates...... f/t is worse because the rat will be wet especially if dethawed in water.. if the ingest some it is not a problem.... you have to think tousands of year of evaluation has made these snakes were they are today....... they are not fragile like a newborn baby........

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I put the eco-earth down on one side and that has helped with the humidity. Once he's ready to be handled I think I'll take the carpet out and use eco-earth. I always worry too much about everything :oops:. Thanks for your help.

For my boas I use a 50 50 Mic of eco earth and cypress mulch....all my balls are in a rack and on paper. But the mix is less messy and works great

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Originally Posted by frostysBP

I feed on all substrates...... f/t is worse because the rat will be wet especially if dethawed in water.. if the ingest some it is not a problem.... you have to think tousands of year of evaluation has made these snakes were they are today....... they are not fragile like a newborn baby........

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Shouldn't be an issue if you dry them off and fluff them up. Ive fed on aspen . And paper towel which is safer. And I always supervise just in case.

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What works great for hides and is cheap..go to the pet store and look In the hamster isle. They have these plastic igloos...they come in different colors and sizes for about 4 dollars...they hold humidity very well also..I love em..so do my bp's

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Originally Posted by frostysBP

I feed on all substrates...... f/t is worse because the rat will be wet especially if dethawed in water.. if the ingest some it is not a problem.... you have to think tousands of year of evaluation has made these snakes were they are today....... they are not fragile like a newborn baby........

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Use a hair dryer to dry off..works really.good.

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Originally Posted by chaples84

What works great for hides and is cheap..go to the pet store and look In the hamster isle. They have these plastic igloos...they come in different colors and sizes for about 4 dollars...they hold humidity very well also..I love em..so do my bp's

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:slamhead::slamhead: I can't believe I didn't think of that. Great idea!

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Originally Posted by nightwolfsnow

:slamhead::slamhead: I can't believe I didn't think of that. Great idea!

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Anytime. That's why these places were created. Whats fun about raising reptiles is nobodies a expert. We are all at different levels of experience. And were all still learning everyday. No ones 100% right no ones 100% wrong atleast for the most part..lol. Like someone made a statement saying its wrong for you to soak your animal for hydration when it arrives..see what you heard is right.. And he's also right..if you were getting ball pythons imported from south Africa that's a long trip and what they do is open the bag and soak for 10 mins or so to hydrate them..but now a days more then likely you b.p is captive bred somewhere in the states and is only packaged for no more then two days tops.. That's all..you weren't wrong for thinking that...its good you did your research before getting your animal.. I'm sure your gonna have an amazing time raising you slithery friend.. Congratulations and welcome to the reptile community.

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Originally Posted by chaples84

Anytime. That's why these places were created. Whats fun about raising reptiles is nobodies a expert. We are all at different levels of experience. And were all still learning everyday. No ones 100% right no ones 100% wrong atleast for the most part..lol. Like someone made a statement saying its wrong for you to soak your animal for hydration when it arrives..see what you heard is right.. And he's also right..if you were getting ball pythons imported from south Africa that's a long trip and what they do is open the bag and soak for 10 mins or so to hydrate them..but now a days more then likely you b.p is captive bred somewhere in the states and is only packaged for no more then two days tops.. That's all..you weren't wrong for thinking that...its good you did your research before getting your animal.. I'm sure your gonna have an amazing time raising you slithery friend.. Congratulations and welcome to the reptile community.

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Yeah it seems like a lot of experienced people have different opinions of the right/best way to do things. So multiple ways work for different people. Very confusing to new people XD. Thanks :)

Congrats on your new Baby

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I always recommend the wooden framed vivaria keeps the heat better and less likley to get burns from the foil on the interior and ive been keeping reptiles for a decade or more ask in any

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