How's my snake tank?

Hello! :taz:

I was hoping I could get any opinions or suggestions for Stan's tank.

The substrate is reptile bark (with papertowels under it because he kept burrowing to the glass but with just paper towels he didn't seem as happy). He has the light on top which I sometimes use but his main source of heat is a uth on the left side.

There is olive green cardboard taped on to each side, I'm not sure you can tell that in the picture.

http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/k...g?t=1217289232

might want to get another hide.

It looks great, but your snakey boy will want to cool down sometimes-and feel secure doing it. The second hide should go right about where he is laying. If you can fit the same log hide on the other side, i would suggest you do that or get two identical/slightly smaller hides. Is your uth on a dimmer or thermostat? Looking good so far!:)

I just came across my bp-care summary, if you have not gone through the care stickies yet it may be helpful to you.

BP BASIC needs...

1) To measure your humidity and temperature accurately - Use DIGITAL gauges (stick on gauges are NOT reliable, and a waste of money unfortunately) The most cost friendly device you can purchase is an accurite digital thermometer/hygrometer from wal-mart for $12. The gauge does not have to be this brand, but something with an outdoor/indoor measurement will work because this means the device uses a probe.

2) You need a belly temperature (right on the glass under the hide on one side of the tank) measured by a probe (which comes with something like an accurite) of 90 - 93 degrees. This is where your bp will spend his time digesting and hanging out A LOT. A UTH (under tank heater) costs about $20 at a pet store but MUST have a control.

The safest and most reliable type of control is a thermostat ($70 - $300) but the minimum requirement for a control is something like a lamp dimmer (a rheostat, which is something that must be manually adjusted). Lowes sells piggyback lamp dimmers for about $10.

3) You need a hide on the cool side of the tank as well as the warm side. The low side should have a belly temperature or ambient temperature in the low 80's. This can be achieved through a heat lamp with the correct wattage bulb, or simply a nice warm room.

4) HUMIDITY = very important - just as important as temperature. 55-60% humidity is required for proper shedding.

5) A sturdy water dish with fresh water can be put anywhere in the tank, if placed over a UTH (under tank heater) it can help raise the humidity.

6) Substrate can be anything from newspaper or cage liners to aspen. Cedar is TOXIC. Do not use cedar. CYPRESS mulch is good - don't mix it up with cedar.

7) Security - ball pythons are shy. They hide more than 80% of the time so if your snake is hiding a lot, thats a good thing. Cover three sides of your tank with paper/aquarium background - what ever you would like to help your snake feel less exposed.

I have an identical hide... just much smaller. I had it in there but on another site someone had mentioned that there wasn't enough flat space for Stan and that I should take it out. I could get an identical one and I think it would *just* squeeze in between the side and "jungle gym" - in the meantime I put the small one in.

I have a digital probe thermometer - my hot sides measures about 94, my cool about 82 and the ambient temp is usually 74-78. That is glad press and seal on top (It looks kind of silly) but I have that covering 1/2 - 2/3 the top and my humidity stays right about 55-62%.

When I had the smaller hide over there he never went in it, he just kind of hung out around it - that is another reason I took it out. He is over there hanging out even without a hide.

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Originally Posted by SecurityStacey

I have an identical hide... just much smaller. I had it in there but on another site someone had mentioned that there wasn't enough flat space for Stan and that I should take it out. I could get an identical one and I think it would *just* squeeze in between the side and "jungle gym" - in the meantime I put the small one in.

I have a digital probe thermometer - my hot sides measures about 94, my cool about 82 and the ambient temp is usually 74-78. That is glad press and seal on top (It looks kind of silly) but I have that covering 1/2 - 2/3 the top and my humidity stays right about 55-62%.

When I had the smaller hide over there he never went in it, he just kind of hung out around it - that is another reason I took it out. He is over there hanging out even without a hide.

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The glad press and and seal works great for humidity, who cares what it looks like:)

Now the hides, he may not use them until he is settled in. New enclosures are a cause for exploration. Putting the smaller one in is a good idea for now, but the reason we/I suggest identical hides (identical in SIZE most importantly) is that when your bp does calm down and decide he would like to hide - he will choose the most secure place, wherever it is in the tank. This means if he needs to warm up but his more secure, tight fitting/comfortable hide is on the cool side, thats where he will go.

It may not seem incredibly important now, but the little things like that if ignored, cause stress. Stress causes problems like not eating, odd behavior and even illness.

I know that is an earful lol, but I wanted to explain it because I did not understand at first why everyone said it was needed. It wasn't until my bp never left one side of the tank did I switch to identical hides. After a week he spent almost equal time in both.

Your doing great and your ahead of where many people start out with bps!

You need to CHANGE the hides. Those half logs are not good for BPs since they don't surround them. Some of the best hides are the cheapest: plastic bowls and plant pots. :)

Also, you might want to think about changing that white water dish to something heavier and shallower, especially if it's only in there to boost humidity. The more surface area the better, but you want it to be heavy enough to not be tipped over.

Otherwise, not bad. Make sure your UTH is controlled by a t-stat eventually if it's not now(didn't notice) and it's lookin good. :)

Im just going to admit that I want to brag a bit about my new set-up, but at the same time I am posting it to help give you some ideas.

My bp is almost a year old, and yes - those are flowerpots:) - I do not need to cover the top because my house is very very humid right now:)

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/m...om/newtank.jpg

I'll look to getting some flower pots or something, I'm not really worried what it looks like, I just want Stan to be happy, the log is what the reptile store sold him with, I'm just learning now that they have no idea what they are talking about! I'm getting black posterboard to put on the back.

missi182,

What kind of set-up (brand name) is that, and what are the dimensions?

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Originally Posted by Ranger

missi182,

What kind of set-up (brand name) is that, and what are the dimensions?

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42 gallons-it actually has no brand name on it that I can find.
It is 18 x 18 x 30 inches. I just upgraded from a 15 gallon because it was getting much too small.

Hey, how big of flower pots should I have for Stan? He is about 15 months old and about 28 - 30 inches... I still have trouble figuring out how he can fit into such a little space so I think I keep buying to big for him.

Any advice?

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Originally Posted by SecurityStacey

Hey, how big of flower pots should I have for Stan? He is about 15 months old and about 28 - 30 inches... I still have trouble figuring out how he can fit into such a little space so I think I keep buying to big for him.

Any advice?

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I buy all my flower pot hides at the dollar store, just incase I break them or they are the wrong size. They can ball up pretty small, which is how they like it. I will take a comparison picture for you and post it in a few minutes.

To put the whole in for the entrance, I use a strong spoon and firmly but carefully chip away where I want to put the entrance, It takes about 15 minutes per pot. I also suggest buying an extra pot or two in case you break one. You'll get a good feel for how hard you can hit the pot without cracking it.

You can also buy plastic pots and just cut them with scissors or even plastic bowls:)

These are the 3 hide sizes I have gone throgh for my bp. That is a regular size bic lighter. The biggest one (an extra because I cracked it) is the curent one I use. My bp is 500 grams and almost a year old so you likely need something a little bigger.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/m...2/S4030354.jpg

Hey thanks! Thats pretty helpful, I"ll go looking at the store tomorrow and see what I can find... I have to make sure it is very manly looking, I don't want to hurt his lil male ego.

Do you file/sand down the edges on those pots before putting them in? I wanted to go the terra cotta route, but was concerned about making a hole without breaking or leaving sharp edges. I ended up going with plastic saucers, which seem to be working well for now.

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Originally Posted by branson

Do you file/sand down the edges on those pots before putting them in? I wanted to go the terra cotta route, but was concerned about making a hole without breaking or leaving sharp edges. I ended up going with plastic saucers, which seem to be working well for now.

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Usually there aren't any sharp edges if you chip away at it slowly, the other reason I use a spoon is because the rounded back of it can be uses to tap away any sharp spots if there are some. I have tried sandpaper the first few times but I discovered it didn't really do much.

You could also cover the back of the tank with something dark too. That white wall behind the enclosure really makes it bright in there. I not only cover three sides and the top with a dark covering/insulation, but also half of the front too. That may be a bit much for some people but my snakes LOVE it. Looking good!!!

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Originally Posted by missi182

42 gallons-it actually has no brand name on it that I can find.
It is 18 x 18 x 30 inches. I just upgraded from a 15 gallon because it was getting much too small.

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it looks very much like a martimade

Ooo... martimade, gotta look that up. I would love a tank like that one. :)

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Originally Posted by Argentra

Ooo... martimade, gotta look that up. I would love a tank like that one. :)

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its a local guy that makes em all by hand i dont think he has a website i have only seen his stuff at smaller shops and at expos. i have his 70 long and want a couple more they are great.

Okay... I've updated a few things for Stan's tank. The background looks bright blue because of the flash, but its actually a dark blue.

Here is his tank right now:

http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/k...g?t=1217743182

http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/k...g?t=1217743210

He has new hides as well - seen here:

http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/k...g?t=1217743279

They aren't in the tank yet because Stan is in the middle of a shed and didn't take too kindly to me trying to rearrange him and his hide, so I'm going to wait until his shed is done before I change them.

How is it looking?

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Originally Posted by SecurityStacey

Okay... I've updated a few things for Stan's tank. The background looks bright blue because of the flash, but its actually a dark blue.

Here is his tank right now:

http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/k...g?t=1217743182

http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/k...g?t=1217743210

He has new hides as well - seen here:

http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/k...g?t=1217743279

They aren't in the tank yet because Stan is in the middle of a shed and didn't take too kindly to me trying to rearrange him and his hide, so I'm going to wait until his shed is done before I change them.

How is it looking?

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Much better!
That'll be a fine set-up once you have those hides in there.
Job well done.

I have that thermometer!!! Meijer?

NO TAPE. Otherwise it's looking a lot better.

Any kind of tape in a snake enclosure is BAD news. The best thing to do with those pots is to get a soldering iron (they aren't expensive) and first slice the pots down to about 3-4" high, then melt out the opening. That leaves the edges smooth. Do not put those in there with that tape, tho!

And are the sides covered as well? Couldn't really tell. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Argentra

NO TAPE. Otherwise it's looking a lot better.

Any kind of tape in a snake enclosure is BAD news. The best thing to do with those pots is to get a soldering iron (they aren't expensive) and first slice the pots down to about 3-4" high, then melt out the opening. That leaves the edges smooth. Do not put those in there with that tape, tho!

And are the sides covered as well? Couldn't really tell. :)

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I didn't know tape is bad... I'd seen it on other hides to cover rough edges.. I'll take a look at another approach. Yes, the sides have olive green cardboard like stuff on them.

a dremel tool would help you a ton to smooth out the rough edges

Yep. Sorry to be so blunt there...but there are plenty of horror stories regarding snakes and tape. Even when you think they can't get to it or get it off, they will and do. And they can really get messed up. :(

And cool for the side cover. It's hard to see in the pictures. :)

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Originally Posted by Argentra

Yep. Sorry to be so blunt there...but there are plenty of horror stories regarding snakes and tape.

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No worries, I'm here to make sure I do the best for Stan, I'd rather people be honest with me for Stan's sake instead of trying to sugar coat something for my feelings. I'll get over being told I'm doing something wrong, Stan won't be so lucky dealing with something wrong in his tank. :)

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Originally Posted by SecurityStacey

I didn't know tape is bad... I'd seen it on other hides to cover rough edges.. I'll take a look at another approach. Yes, the sides have olive green cardboard like stuff on them.

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Yes, there was tape on that hide because I had cracked it and it was only a spare. It was foil tape, which almost never comes unstuck but yes a good rule of thumb is no tape in the enclosure. Duct tape is especially bad because it doesn't stay sticky enough to stay on the object but it is sticky enough to get stuck to your snake.

Meh, the half logs are fine. Many people use them with complete success. Yours just needs to be smaller. Some Bps like hides, while others, avoid their use completely. Add a few different spots that can be used for hiding, and you should be golden.

otherwise, Your setup looks great!

I couldn't really tell from the pics, but what temp readings are you getting on the cool side and the hottest part of the warm end?

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Originally Posted by casperca

I couldn't really tell from the pics, but what temp readings are you getting on the cool side and the hottest part of the warm end?

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I have a digital probe thermometer - my hot sides measures about 94, my cool about 82 and the ambient temp is usually 74-78. That is glad press and seal on top (It looks kind of silly) but I have that covering 1/2 - 2/3 the top and my humidity stays right about 55-62%.

The ambient shouldn't be below 80. You could try covering three sides of the tank with 3/4 inch insulation board to bring it up some.