Questions about heat and light

Hello!

My BP enclosure is all done! i just want to make sure of something.
I have a normal light to give off heat but also gives light of course.
From what im seeing and since the terrarium is in direct way of the light that comes out of the window, the amount of light the snake will get during the day is good?

here is the pic of terrarium with natural light (no light bulb on) at 6pm

http://i.imgur.com/4dQREty.jpg

A ceramic heater would be enough for heat source no?
and if so then do i leave it on day and night or do i cool it down a bit at night to replicate night temps BP would be used to?

thanks!

A terrarium should never be placed where sunlight can directly shine into it, think hot-car-in-the-sun-cooking-your-animal.

Ball pythons do not need much light as they are nocturnal critters. In the wild they live underground during the day and they come out at night to hunt.

What did you use to seal the OSB?

There is no need for a night time drop in temperature for Ball Pythons.

A small drop at night probably won't hurt, but it also won't serve any purpose either.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

A terrarium should never be placed where sunlight can directly shine into it, think hot-car-in-the-sun-cooking-your-animal.

Ball pythons do not need much light as they are nocturnal critters. In the wild they live underground during the day and they come out at night to hunt.

What did you use to seal the OSB?

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The sunlight doesnt "directly" shine on it since i have a quite thick curtain on the window that i never open it and its a bit diagonal from the window so only less than half of the terrarium gets "direct" light from the window , is that alright?
When you say sealed you mean with silicone? i havent sealed it yet since im waiting for my thermometer/hygrometer to measure everything to see if the reading are off. if temperature and humidity are constant do you think i still should seal it?

thanks!!

I mean sealing the OSB so it doesn't expand/rot (ball pythons need high humidity), and to repel urine and feces so it doesn't soak in to the wood.

I would keep the window shaded all the time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

I mean sealing the OSB so it doesn't expand/rot (ball pythons need high humidity), and to repel urine and feces so it doesn't soak in to the wood.

I would keep the window shaded all the time.

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i got water based varnish for wood, would that be alright or if not then what would you recommend?

Yep, OSB sucks up moisture like crazy. Besides making it too dry in there, it will swell and flake if it gets wet. You need to use outdoor paint or polyurethane to seal it. Make sure it's fully dried/cured before you put any animals in there.

Looks great!

ETA: saw your most recent post. What is the varnish you got made of?

not really sure, just know it is water based. I wanted something without color or maybe white? just dont want dark colors because they suck heat but im not sure which is better. light colors to reflect heat or dark colors to absorve it.

Its this one:
http://i.imgur.com/6xYPNZB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/LF9LOSI.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Yt6MkdZ.jpg

IMO you'd be better off gluing a thin liner for the interior of the enclosure, as completely removing urate and feces from the OSB grain isn't going to work very well. Then just seal the corners/edges with the silicone. Think something like this:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/1-16-in-x...3003/202090190

Use the chemical sealer on the outside to protect against the occasional water spill.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

IMO you'd be better off gluing a thin liner for the interior of the enclosure, as completely removing urate and feces from the OSB grain isn't going to work very well. Then just seal the corners/edges with the silicone. Think something like this:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/1-16-in-x...3003/202090190

Use the chemical sealer on the outside to protect against the occasional water spill.

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i was thinking of doing that actually, wasnt sure which material but im sure i can find something :D thank you very much!

Yep, I second the lining of that box in some way. Personally, I think a good option would be Formica, or maybe vinyl floor covering. You can get it in about any color at hardware stores. You cut it to one piece per side/bottom/top, and only need to worry about sealing where the walls meet the bottom and top. Use a silicone sealant for that. that should keep it from getting to your wood, and would be easy to clean up.

It's a great looking enclosure. I third the lining the inside with something. Can I ask why you used particle board though? It would look so much better with real wood.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Maybe use acrylic for the bottom?

My vet recommends UVB light, but as we briefly discussed in another thread, some of the more experienced users brought up great points: how much light can a nocturnal creature who spends all day hiding underground possibly need? As long as heat is being met, you are fine. Is it *possible* UVB light improves quality of light for BPs? Who knows? But what we do know is apparently you can have perfectly healthy BPs in a setup like yours with no light. So it's your choice. :)

Waterbased Polyurathane has worked great for me as a sealer in multiple coats . I would also reccomed putting vinyl on the floor as well as up the sides abit . .Stain, Seal, vinyl , silicone .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by O'Mathghamhna

Maybe use acrylic for the bottom?

My vet recommends UVB light, but as we briefly discussed in another thread, some of the more experienced users brought up great points: how much light can a nocturnal creature who spends all day hiding underground possibly need? As long as heat is being met, you are fine. Is it *possible* UVB light improves quality of light for BPs? Who knows? But what we do know is apparently you can have perfectly healthy BPs in a setup like yours with no light. So it's your choice. :)

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UV also breaks down plastics (acrylic) and coatings.
If you are going to use a paint on then make sure it is for outdoor use to handle the moisture. Give it time to gass out

Thanks guys.

You wwere a great help but dont know if you saw my recent post, my current enclosure is a bust for me.

More money spent in BP proofing it than anything else.
Going for a simple RUB enclosure!

Thank you!!!!!