total noob tub question

Hi,
as i am totally new to housing ball pythons i have a question or 2..

i have 2 pastels coming my way within the next two weeks. and i need to know the best way to keep them warm, happy, and outta the way untill i can figure out a rack system.

so i went out and bought 2 31qt rubbermaid latchable tubs (H 6.5in x L 26.1in x W 15.6in) thinking i could just stick zoomed pads under there and call it a day.. but after doing alot more reading it seems that was a bad plan..

so what should i do? i need to either start on a rack, enough to house 2 100-300 gram snakes for the time being.. or is there a better cheap way to keep snkes.. lol..

sorry if im not making any sence.. im just really lost.. :confused:

anyways.. im just looking for suggestions..
thanks a whole lot..
-josh

The Rubbermaids with the UTHs should be fine as long as you use a thermostat or at least a rheostat. Just make sure you provide adequate ventilation.

A rack is probably the best long-term plan. There are many different styles, options from homebuilt plywood/melamine racks to pricey steel racks from Freedom Breeder. Many people like the plastic racks like from Animal Plastics, boaphileplastics or Herpenclosures.

if i build a rack, i should def get a thermostat right??

if so, what is the best one to get for a rack system?
will it have multiple probes, or just one.. where does it go..

i guess since i have a little time im gonna go ahead and get some flexwatt and set up a small rack.
ill probably design my own..it shouldnt be too hard.. i have all the stuff here to do it anyways. and what i dont have i can get no time with a possible discount.

so what are must haves,
heat tape, thermostat?
should i use brown rubbermaid boxes, or would that not let enough light in..

that about covers it

My advice would be to go ahead and buy a rack to see how they've done it, and then if you can tackle the job, build your own. That's my plan. I've bought a great rack from http://www.herpenclosures.com and i saw how easily it is to put together and where everything was put, and now once i get my hands on the proper tools, i will build my own. There are plenty of companies that build racks. You just need to figure out what system will suit you best. Animal Plastics, Herp Enclosures, and i hope someone will post more links :)

If you think you're capable of handling it on your own the first time, here's a great DIY from Tim Bailey

http://www.baileyreptiles.com/diy.html

You should get a thermostat no matter what you use... rack or cage. You can get by with a rheostat (dimmer), but a thermostat is much better.

Helix and Herpstat make the best thermostats for reptiles. They usually have one probe (Herpstat makes some units with multiple probes), but all that is needed is one probe/thermostat per rack. You can place the probe in a number of places, but people usually adhere them directly to the heat source.

You pretty much covered all that is needed for the rack, although I would add a digital thermometer ($13 Accurite from Walmart). Although you snakes don't require light, a clear tub such as the Sterilite 1756 would be better as you can monitor what is going on in the tub without pulling it out.

i dunno, those plastic racks things seem way overpriced for something i could eaisly build..
hell i could build somethinglike that no effort at all..

do i put the thermostat probe directly on the heat tape then.. which tub do i pick to put it under..

and im gonna order heat tape asap..

for the tub cover... i could use peg board, or would that be too vented.. should i stick with something solid and drill the tub.. i dunno lol.. thats what im trying to figure out.. i have about 10 days at most to get it done lol..

anyways.. that being said..

im designing a nice little getto rack for two snakes right now..

edit:
i found this, if i modded it for my size requirements would it be a solid setup?
edit again:
i forgot the link..lol http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/iri...ris_rack.shtml

thanks again

Quote:

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Originally Posted by phantommaggot

do i put the thermostat probe directly on the heat tape then.. which tub do i pick to put it under..

---

It's up to you as to where you want to place the probe. Most people tape it directly to the Flexwatt using aluminum duct tape (not the regular duct tape, but the stuff that is actually made out of aluminum). It doesn't matter which shelf you place the probe in. A digital thermometer will help you configure the thermostat. The thermostat might be set at 98F, but the tub with substrate will be considerably lower. There's plenty of room to play with and no exact formula.

BTW, the ABreptiles rack will work fine. You may want to contact someone over there to see if they have any additional comments for that design.

my substrate will be a layer of newspaper.. :)

ill probably start work on my rack tomorrow depending on my time..

and if its not too expensive ill finish it thursday or saturday

ill take pics of the whole process and post it.. if my camera will work..

im def gonna make it so i can stack another one on it, cause ill be in the market for large females in a few weeks.. unless my car just costs way too much to fix (deer = $$ :( )

thanks again

does anyone have a recommended website to order flexwatt, and a thermostat from?

www.thebeanfarm.com alot of supplies, thermostats and flexwatt,etc.



vaughn

www.mgreptiles.com

www.reptilebasics.com

is good too.

OK!
got my getto racks 90% built, didnt cost me a thing. i had alot of fern strip laying around, and some scrap OSB. so i just built a side by side version of this rack- http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/iri...ris_rack.shtml -and i made it semi stackable, just band the bottom of the next level with 1x4 and sit it on top lol.

sorry i didnt have any batteries for the camera, so i couldnt take pics, but ill be adding another level or 2 very soon so ill do it then.

nows all i have left to do is put on pegboard, and heat tape. i may use some fanfold insulation around the sides and back. ill behunting down heat tape and a thermostat tonight, thanks to some helpful links, and hopefully get it orderd

should i put a hide in the tub?
the snakes are only gonna be around 100 - 200 grams at most when i get them. so i may end up sectioning off the tubs so they seem smaller.

anyways

thanks again
-j

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by phantommaggot

should i put a hide in the tub?
the snakes are only gonna be around 100 - 200 grams at most when i get them. so i may end up sectioning off the tubs so they seem smaller.

---

Yes, definitely get at least one hide for the little ones, preferably two. That rack is designed for the adult sized tubs, so sectioning them off would be wise as well. Little snakes like little spaces.

ok,
11" flexwatt and alife temp. controller.
sound solid?

im gonna order it tonight, or in the morning..
and i should be ready for snakes as soon as its in. just solder some drop cord and plug in.

and, i didnt even use that rack as anything more than a base, i used my own dementions and whtnot.. i just robbed the way he used peg board and used belly heat. that way i could build up on what i already have..

like i said, i have spent exatly 0 dollars on it as of now so ya..

thanks
-josh

NO ALIFE!!!

They are not reliable and can go haywire. Spend the extra money and get a more trusted thermostat.

like what..
i really cant afford 100+ dollars on a thermostat

at least not now..
will the other one fry my snakes??

what about the zoo med product on mgreptiles?

Ranco's and Johnsons are 75 bucks wired, unless you can wire one. If you can wire one, they are only about 55 bucks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by phantommaggot

like what..
i really cant afford 100+ dollars on a thermostat

at least not now..
will the other one fry my snakes??

what about the zoo med product on mgreptiles?

---

Please do not think i am being rude here.When it comes to properly keeping and caring for ball pythons i suggest you to not go the cheap route.If you choose to go this route your snakes can suffer and then you could have a hefty vet bill.I use the first temp controller on www.reptilesupply.com. Its only $25 bucks and i have not had any problems out of it.My freind who told me about this temp controller has used them for years with no problems.Like i said please do not go the cheap route.

No, i understand. im not trying to cheap it up. i just need something that will work for now..
as long as ot dosent fry my snakes for a month ill be fine..

ill get something much nicer cause ill be adding females to my collection and a new layer to my rack..

if you have a sloid alternitive please LMK

thanks again..
-josh

Ok,
heres what i got..
a ranco prewired and 2 11" flexwatt from reptile basics
costed me about 90 bucks shipped. i had to pull that outta my ass lol..

thanks again.
and ill be shure to post pics as soon as i can get them..

-josh