Reptile Expos

hey all, its my first time posting on these forums, just wondering if anyone has been to a reptile expo before? are the prices much cheaper there for a snake, tanks, heaters, bedding etc. compared to pet stores? are snakes more healthier than in pet stores?... i live in ontario, canada and is anyone planning to go to the reptile expo tomorrow in mississauga?

First off Welcome.

As for your question...in my experience the expos are usually cheaper...considering you are typically buying from a hobbiest and not a retailer (who needs a lot more margin to make money)

You can also save a lot of money if you are willing to buy used (which you will find a lot of at the shows).

Finally as for health...again in my experience yes the animals usually are healthier in most cases more care was taken in breeding and rearing of the animal available vs. an imported animal from a pet shop that you have no idea how it has been cared for.

Just my :2cent:

ahhh yeah thats i was thinking but wasnt sure... im really excited to go, im going RIGHT when it opens at 9 am

oops i forgot to ask, do you think it would be better/possible if i could buy a whole complete set up there for my tank and save more money than if i were to buy it at a pet store or fish store?

Just curious are you refering to the Ontario reptile expo tommorow? I'm hoping to go to that one. :D

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Originally Posted by SnakeLos

oops i forgot to ask, do you think it would be better/possible if i could buy a whole complete set up there for my tank and save more money than if i were to buy it at a pet store or fish store?

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I have never been to the Ontario show...but based on other shows I have been to I would say yes you can get everything. If you want a really "pretty" display tank you might still have to get some parts elsewhere....but all the basics to keep your new pet heathly you should be able to find at the show.

Hope you enjoy it.

I think that it depends; if you want a display tank, you might be able to find a deal on a used one. Most pet stores really highball the prices on tanks compared to their at-cost cost.
Shows can be fun. It could be a great opportunity to buy from a reputable breeder and at the same time, get to see and hold the exact snake you will buy. Personally, I see nothing wrong with buying from photos online (and have with great results) but if I had the choice and lived near the breeders I bought from or their shows, I would have loved to do that!
The only show I have personally been to was in Buffalo, and there were not many breeders there BP-wise. But I did pick up my normal female advertised as, and thinking she was, male.. for a dirt-cheap price.
If you're looking to buy cage accessories cheaply though, nothing beats the internet IMO.

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Originally Posted by Phreak

Just curious are you refering to the Ontario reptile expo tommorow? I'm hoping to go to that one. :D

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yeaa that one!! maybe ill see u there!

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Originally Posted by lord jackel

I have never been to the Ontario show...but based on other shows I have been to I would say yes you can get everything. If you want a really "pretty" display tank you might still have to get some parts elsewhere....but all the basics to keep your new pet heathly you should be able to find at the show.

Hope you enjoy it.

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thanks man... and yea i just want all the basics right now... ill buy more acessories for my snake later when i get the money haha

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Originally Posted by Ginevive

I think that it depends; if you want a display tank, you might be able to find a deal on a used one. Most pet stores really highball the prices on tanks compared to their at-cost cost.
Shows can be fun. It could be a great opportunity to buy from a reputable breeder and at the same time, get to see and hold the exact snake you will buy. Personally, I see nothing wrong with buying from photos online (and have with great results) but if I had the choice and lived near the breeders I bought from or their shows, I would have loved to do that!
The only show I have personally been to was in Buffalo, and there were not many breeders there BP-wise. But I did pick up my normal female advertised as, and thinking she was, male.. for a dirt-cheap price.
If you're looking to buy cage accessories cheaply though, nothing beats the internet IMO.

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the thing is... i dont know any breeders near me :( and i dont know how to find them but i know there are because there is a pet store near me that specializes in snakes and theyre always getting new ones

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Originally Posted by SnakeLos

yeaa that one!! maybe ill see u there!

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If I go I'll be the guy who is telling his parents(mom more like) see snakes really ARE cool and WOULD make good pets

what can you guys recommend is the best out there and works and isnt too costly for the following:
1) thermometer
2) the thing that checks humidity
3) UTH
4) heat lamp (do i need this if im getting a UTH?)
5) lights (how many do i need)

is there anything else im missing that is essential for a tank set up besides 2 hides, big water bowl, bedding? please advice needed :)

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Originally Posted by Phreak

If I go I'll be the guy who is telling his parents(mom more like) see snakes really ARE cool and WOULD make good pets

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HAHAHA thats me too

Seems like we're in the exact same boat here :D Even your basics first, other stuff later, strapped for cash approach seems like what I'm dealing with :P If and when you get a BP will it be your first snake? Also something you forgot on your list is thermostat just so you dont over/under heat your snake. Heat lamps also tend to such humidity from the tank, just thought I'd let you know.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SnakeLos

what can you guys recommend is the best out there and works and isnt too costly for the following:
1) thermometer
2) the thing that checks humidity
3) UTH
4) heat lamp (do i need this if im getting a UTH?)
5) lights (how many do i need)

is there anything else im missing that is essential for a tank set up besides 2 hides, big water bowl, bedding? please advice needed :)

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Pro's please correct me where im wrong, lol

1. Acurite makes nice thermometers, walmart caries them.
2. Hydrometer, get a digital one, again acurite, your local walmart, lol.
3. UTH's Most breeders see to like the heat tape made by flexwatt(sp?) I have 2 zoomeds and 1 some other brand i cant remember right now. I think the important thing is to achieve the right temps (through using thermostats) rather than one brand being better than another.
4. If your UTH's cant get the temp's up to the right levels you may need to supplement with a heat lamp, or even better a ceramic heat emitter. a CHE doesn't put out any light so you can use it 24 hours a day.
5. Ball Pythons do not require any special lighting, ambient light coming in a window or just regular lights being on in the room are just fine for a 12/12 hour schedule.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SnakeLos

what can you guys recommend is the best out there and works and isnt too costly for the following:
1) thermometer
2) the thing that checks humidity
3) UTH
4) heat lamp (do i need this if im getting a UTH?)
5) lights (how many do i need)

is there anything else im missing that is essential for a tank set up besides 2 hides, big water bowl, bedding? please advice needed :)

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Too costly does not really exist when it come to the care of reptiles because it is essential to provide proper husbandry that could cause you problem and more money in the long run to correct them this is why you need to get started with the right things.

1 & 2/ Digital Thermometer / Hydrometer Acu-Rite that can be bought from Walmart for 12$/13$ (Don't buy the stick or dial type as hey don't give acurrate reading) http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...hermometer.jpg

3/ UTH or flexwatt heat tape to provide proper temps MUST be controlled by a THERMOSTAT (not on your list) will allow you to keep constant temps and avoid overheating that could lead to severe burns

4/ It will depend on your enclosure and ambient temps in the room where you keep your BP. Here is the thing you need to provide temps of 90-94 on the warm side, which will be provided by the UTH and 80-84 on the cool side, and this is the tricky part during the winter.

You can

A/ Have an additional heat source (heat lamp - UTH) and an additional thermostat to maintain proper temps.

B/ Have a oil filled space heater in the room you keep your BP so the room stays at 80 degrees.

5/ None needed

6/ You need to tight identical hides so the BP can snug in (all sides touching his body). Here is an example http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p.../CUBBYHOLE.jpg. Avoid log hide they make poor hides not providing enough security.

7/ Water dish from walmart 2$

Now as far as enclosure remember tanks can be hard to maintain and can be costly, now the other option are plastic tubs (again Walmart) they are easy to maintain and make the BP feel secure due to the opacity and low ceiling.

Either way your enclosure will have to grow with your BP as too big of an enclosure will stress you BP causing problems down the road.

Here are size ideas

Glass tank use the rule of thumb the enclosure should be 2/3 of the length of your Ball Python.

Plastic Tubs

Baby – 15 Quarts (17"L x 11 1/8"W x 6 3/8"H)

Sub Adult – 32 Quarts (23 1/2"L x 16 1/4"W x 6 3/8"H)

Adult – 41 Quarts (34 3/4"L x 16 1/2"W x 6"H)

Ideally you want to have your setup ready before bring home your BP so you don't have any setback and problems that could be avoided.

so i need two thermometers, one on the warm side and one on the cool side... do i need two hydrometers one on the warm side and on the cool?? also i would like to get a heat lamp because the room im placing my snake in is my basement and my basement is the coldest room in the winter and the coldest room in the summer... so what specific heat lamp would u guys recommend for me if im going to use one with a UTH?? how does a thermostat control the heat? do i need like a switch or a timer thing to control the temperature or is that what the thermostat is used for?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SnakeLos

so i need two thermometers, one on the warm side and one on the cool side... do i need two hydrometers one on the warm side and on the cool?? also i would like to get a heat lamp because the room im placing my snake in is my basement and my basement is the coldest room in the winter and the coldest room in the summer... so what specific heat lamp would u guys recommend for me if im going to use one with a UTH?? how does a thermostat control the heat? do i need like a switch or a timer thing to control the temperature or is that what the thermostat is used for?

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No just one the device shown will measure the temps on the cool side and the warm side as well as the humidity (all in one)

You cannot use a timer you need to provide constent temps at all time this is why you ned a thermostat.

Some thermostats constently adjust the temperture (Proportional) some come on and off (Non Proportional)

My concern is if your basement is too cold you might have problem reaching proper temps of 90-94 and 80-84 and this can mean anything from going off feed to possible RI is the temp is too cold.

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Originally Posted by GA_Ball_Pythons

No just one the device shown will measure the temps on the cool side and the warm side as well as the humidity (all in one)

You cannot use a timer you need to provide constent temps at all time this is why you ned a thermostat.

Some thermostats constently adjust the temperture (Proportional) some come on and off (Non Proportional)

My concern is if your basement is too cold you might have problem reaching proper temps of 90-94 and 80-84 and this can mean anything from going off feed to possible RI is the temp is too cold.

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acurite does temp. and humidity at the SAME time :O ???? wat could i do to keep my temperatures right in my basement if its too cold??