What is....

Flexwatt and all these other things? I'll be getting a ball python soon and I need to start gathering the supplies.

What would you recommend heating-wise, and how would you set it up?

I'm not experienced, either. But from reading things on this site, inquiring and doing some research, I've made my heating decision. www.reptilebasics.com has everything that I'm getting. I'm getting 12" of 3" flexwatt (assembled) and a Helix thermostat. Flexwatt is heat tape that goes underneath your tank or tub and with the thermostat, you attach the temp probe securely to the heat source (in my case the flexwatt) and set the temp on the thermostat. The thermostat regulates the temperature accurately, so there is no chance of burning your snake.

Helix therms are kinda pricey ($129-$139)...but for a long-term investment like a Ball Python, I figured it's worth it. BP's live 20-40 years...so over the course of 20 years or so, what's $130 to keep my pet safe? The flexwatt is actually very inexpensive. What I'm getting, completely assembled is something like $8.

I'm not claming to be an expert--far from it. I haven't even ordered/recieved my flexwatt/Helix yet (I'll be ordering next week :) ).

If I've mis-stated anything about Flexwatt or the Helix, someone can feel free to correct me. :) I'm just new to it, too...but in a month I've found out a -lot- if info.

--Kim

Might be a couple hour drive, but it may be worth it.

Rich from HerpEnclosures.com is in Lexington, VA. He builds racks and cages, pre-wired and ready to plug in straight from his shop. He's a super nice guy to deal with. I'm probably about to order another rack from him.

if you're only going to buy one ball python, then you'll just need a cage:

http://www.herpenclosures.com/cages.html

Oh wow, I really like the 41qt rack with the 4 tubs. So these come with the heat tape and stuff already on the bottom of the tubs?

I also really like the cage, but would probably go with the tubs.

I'm only getting one snake for now, so a rack just isn't what I need right now. I need to know how to set up a 41qt tub with all the heating and such. How to use the heat tape and heating control devices, like the thermostat.

yes they come pre-wired with 3" flexwatt heat tape on the bottom. the way i have my rack set up is like so:

I have a thermostat with a temp probe and an electrical output.

You tape the temp probe straight onto the flexwatt heat tape, outside the tub. you don't want your snake moving the probe.

Then you plug the rack into the thermostat. As the temp probe senses temp changes, it will turn the heat tape on and off to adjust to the temps.

now, you have to keep an eye on the inside of your tubs, so most people get a digital thermometer (acurite works well) and put that probe on the inside of your tub, straight on the plastic where your snakes belly will be.

Set the Thermostat at 93 to begin with. If the thermometer (inside the tub) reads 89, then bump the thermostat up to 94. Small increments will eventually get the inside of your tub to around 93 for the warm side.

this is just a brief rundown of how I did my rack. there are lots of other ways to do it, but i think the way I've done mine is the way I read a lot of others do theirs.

Sounds good to me. Thanks for explaining how all that works. Now what kind of tape is ok to use for securing the probe to the heating tape? I don't want to use something that is likely to melt.

Nothing will melt if you do it correct. If things are melting, then your snake is going to get burned and you're not doing something correctly

I use plain ol' electrical tape to tape it down to the flexwatt. You can use what ever you want. check it frequently to ensure it's still secure.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

Now what kind of tape is ok to use for securing the probe to the heating tape? I don't want to use something that is likely to melt.

---

People use that aluminum tape, but its metal so it conducts electricity...so if by chance you have a bad connection on your flexwatt you'll get zapped if you touch the metal tape. I use plain old duct tape. I have never had a problem with melting or getting shocked.....

Duct Tape holds the world together. Ok, well as soon as X-mas presents are all bought and I save up a little money for moving into a townhome, I'm going to start getting the tub and heating elements.

If the tub has the heating tape, does it require any kind of heating lamp or day-time UVB lamp? I'm just wondering how much I'm going to have to cut up that tub. :D

The only thing you will need to do to the tub is make sure you have a good amount of air holes in it. Not so many that your loose all of your humidity, but enough for a good amount of air to flow in and out. I'm in Richmond too, nice to see someone local to the area on here. Good luck with your new friend, and p.s., once you have one, more will follow, so reconsider getting that rack! I just picked up another ball today!

I'm considering it. Even if I just have the one ball for now, a rack would be good...ya know...just in case.. *shifty eyes* Its around 300 so if I plan on getting one of those pre-wired racks, I'll have to wait a little bit longer than what I was originally going to, so I can save up. X-mas presents first, then car payment, then savings for townhome, then snake. So if I get the rack, I'll probably be pushing the time I can get my snake back a month or so. But it will be better in the long run.

I was looking around that site and saw that full grown male BPs can live in the 32qt. Is this true?

And to set up the thermostat I just tape the probe to the tape, then plug the tape into the thermostat, which then gets plugged into the outlet. Then I put in a digital thermometer in the tub directly on the bottom. Any other heating elements needed other than that?

I'm going to be writing up a list of everything I'm getting myself.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

I was looking around that site and saw that full grown male BPs can live in the 32qt. Is this true?

And to set up the thermostat I just tape the probe to the tape, then plug the tape into the thermostat, which then gets plugged into the outlet. Then I put in a digital thermometer in the tub directly on the bottom. Any other heating elements needed other than that?

I'm going to be writing up a list of everything I'm getting myself.

---

41 qt tubs are perfect for an adult ball.

umm... can't figure out the tape part of your post? are you talking about flex watt? if you are then... you tape the probe to the inside of the tub over the flex watt... the flex watt get's plugged into your t-stat and your t-stat goes into the outlet.

digital thermometer... one probe goes in the warm hide and the other goees on the cool side to check ambient temps. ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

I was looking around that site and saw that full grown male BPs can live in the 32qt. Is this true?

---

You could get away with housing *most* adult males in a 32 qt tub. They don't get anywhere near as robust as adult females do. Males tend to stay relatively slender by comparison.