just a couple ?'s

what bedding is better out of these: sani chips, aspen or bark??? or does it depend on personal choice???

do i need a basking bulb like you do with certain lizards and such or just a daylight bulb??

thank you...

You do not need a bulb, as they do not need the UV for vitamin synthesis. BP in the wild do not get a lot of UV exposure. I personaly like aspen, it retains moisture which helps with humidity, somthing lights won't. It does boil down to personal choice. I use aspen because I have many snakes that like to burrow, somthing most BP do not regularly do. Heating with a UTH or Flex Watt heat will probably do better for you, and supply belly heat for digestion. What kind of set do you have. This would help figure out the best way to heat.

I dont have it set up yet but so far Im forsure getting:
20g long (all ready have)
Uner tank heater
2 hides
some sort of bedding
acurite thermometer/hydrometer
a digital themometer (allready have)
water bowl
some sort of light to view them... this is what i was thinking http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...watt-day-bulb/
light fixture ( allready have)

Make sure you get a thermostat to control the UTH ;)
I'd also get something to cover the sides and back of the tank in order to increase the sense of security of the snake :)

will do.... and as of right now the back of the tank is black and the sides are next to dark brown walls....

:) Being next to walls doesn't mean the snake can't still see things out the sides.

But seriously, it all sounds pretty good. Covering the sides isn't just for security, it's also for stabilizing the temps in a glass tank when you add insulation such as foam or cork.

And yes, make sure you get a thermostat ASAP. It's the most expensive piece of equipment, but it is totally necessary! You could get by with a lamp dimmer or a cheaper stat to start out, but eventually you should have at least a Johnson or Ranco($80) if not a Herpstat ($110).

As far as lighting, especially for a tank, you should make sure your lamp is at least 8-12" above the lid and that your bulb is no higher than 50watts. Otherwise you'll have a humidity battle. :)

Oh, and make sure you foil treat your screen top to keep heat and humidity in. That one process alone can help more with those things than any amount of misting or other kind of cover.

all of these reasons are why i dont have my snake right now.. i want it right the first time rather then pay for it later... what is foil treating??... but i havnt even sold my parents on the idea on getting a snake... lol


thx everyone

what is foil treating hte top????

its just a fancy way of saying tape some foil to the screen lid to keep the moisture in.:gj:

ahhh thank you... i knew it was something along those lines

now some ideas t convince my mom.. lol...

Honestly, as a mom, I would like to see this thread. I would feel comfortable knowing the research was done BEFOREHAND, questions were asked and you are making sure your bases are covered before you ask. Very responsible thing to do. You would make a great snake owner. Kudos to you!

thanks.... i learned to go and ask any sort of question that i have on a forum before and to to everything right the first time instead of havig to do it again= more $$$$.. but the thing is ... shs scared to death of snakes...

but im sad I have to tear sown my saltwater reef aquarium D=