My BP Setup

Hey people just want to get some advice or opinions on my setup. This is my first snake, he is a ball python, you can see him here in this thread

I pretty much made this setup by reading a lot of stuff on here. Only thing i need to get is temp guages, but i think hes ok just need to make sure hes temps are right.

Its a 20 gallon long tank with a screen top, which half is coverd with a towel to try to keep humidity in. I have aspen as the bedding and I have a UTH on one of the side. There is 3 hides 2 similar ones one in the hot side one on the cold side, I also made a humid hide with a plastic container and moist paper towel inside over the heated side aswell giving me some humidity (havent seen him in it, but i heard they like it..but not sure on that one, i do get some humidity out of it though so thats good?) I put some plastic trees to make it look nice and a nice rock, and ofcourse a nice sized water bowl. Here is some pictures below of how it looks, please tell me if there is something im doing wrong or need to be change for the snakes health and happiness.


https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../mybpsetup.jpg

(sorry once again about picture size, i just dont know why they dont load normal size)

ya i cant see a thing in the pics but it sounds like you are on the right path.

one thing that would suggest is that you use sphagnum moss in your humid hide or a "non-soaped" spounge. paper towels will need to be changed almost every day because they breed mold very fast, even if you cant see it.

looks good from what I can see lol:)

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Originally Posted by hawaiianice99

ya i cant see a thing in the pics but it sounds like you are on the right path.

one thing that would suggest is that you use sphagnum moss in your humid hide or a "non-soaped" spounge. paper towels will need to be changed almost every day because they breed mold very fast, even if you cant see it.

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i was thinkin about using a sponge but i didnt have a new one. but i might try moss, is there a certain type of moss i should get.

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Originally Posted by MDB

looks good from what I can see lol:)

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dont strain you eyes please LOL. :D
i wish i knew why my pics load like that and they are not that small !

sphagnum moss:gj:

sphagnum moss, you can pick it up at most pet stores for a few bucks.

also, if you use a spounge make sure that it doesnt already come with soap in it. some come with it some dont, the ones that look like coral rock are the safest bet. they are often used for arachnids and such.

Everything looks great :D
The only suggestion I have is to keep your eye on the snake's behavior as his hide might be too big for him. Those half logs are really not a great hide for balls since they are rarely 'hidden' when they are in them!! If you find that he needs something smaller, you can use an inverted terra cotta (or plastic) planter bottom with a door or hole cut out for the ingress and egress. Just keep in mind that the smaller and darker hide can be- the better!!!

How thick should i make the aspen bedding over the UTH at first i had a lot and it didnt seem to get hot enough so i kinda made it a thin layer over the UTH but im afraid he will move the bedding and just lay on the glass and burn him self.

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Originally Posted by keepzrollin

How thick should i make the aspen bedding over the UTH at first i had a lot and it didnt seem to get hot enough so i kinda made it a thin layer over the UTH but im afraid he will move the bedding and just lay on the glass and burn him self.

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I always place a few paper towels to cover the entire bottom of the tank then simply put aspen bedding on top.

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Originally Posted by keepzrollin

How thick should i make the aspen bedding over the UTH at first i had a lot and it didnt seem to get hot enough so i kinda made it a thin layer over the UTH but im afraid he will move the bedding and just lay on the glass and burn him self.

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Always monitor the temps on the glass-- not on the top of the substrate!!!

Actually, I don't see anything in your set-up that hints of monitoring temps :O If this is correct, you'll need to purchase a thermometer (I suggest the Acu-Rite digital thermometer/hygrometer available at Lowe's and other places.) Also, do you have a thermostat regulating the temps on your UTH? If not, it is of primary importance that you purchase one. With your temps controlled, there will be little chance of him laying on the glass and getting burned.

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Originally Posted by starmom

Everything looks great :D
The only suggestion I have is to keep your eye on the snake's behavior as his hide might be too big for him. Those half logs are really not a great hide for balls since they are rarely 'hidden' when they are in them!! If you find that he needs something smaller, you can use an inverted terra cotta (or plastic) planter bottom with a door or hole cut out for the ingress and egress. Just keep in mind that the smaller and darker hide can be- the better!!!

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I covered 3 sides of the tank with a black film and placed plastic trees all above the hides gives it the darkenss he needs but yea the hide is a bit big for his size but i think he likes it he hangs out in there most of the time.

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Originally Posted by starmom

Always monitor the temps on the glass-- not on the top of the substrate!!!

Actually, I don't see anything in your set-up that hints of monitoring temps :O If this is correct, you'll need to purchase a thermometer (I suggest the Acu-Rite digital thermometer/hygrometer available at Lowe's and other places.) Also, do you have a thermostat regulating the temps on your UTH? If not, it is of primary importance that you purchase one. With your temps controlled, there will be little chance of him laying on the glass and getting burned.

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yea i had mentioned in original post that is the only thing i am pending to get something to measure the temps. I will look into getting a thermostat, where and how much do they go for ?

Here's my favorite place: http://www.reptilebasics.com/Thermostats-p-1-c-250.html :)

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Originally Posted by instinct27

I always place a few paper towels to cover the entire bottom of the tank then simply put aspen bedding on top.

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I think im going to do that as soon as i get home i was also thinking about one of those rug type bedding just for the hot side. are those good ?

another question:
if i was to spray water in some area to make a bit humid will that make the aspen bedding get moldy ?

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Originally Posted by keepzrollin

I think im going to do that as soon as i get home i was also thinking about one of those rug type bedding just for the hot side. are those good ?

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Personally, I like to stick with aspen or paper.

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Originally Posted by keepzrollin

another question:
if i was to spray water in some area to make a bit humid will that make the aspen bedding get moldy ?

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I guess it could depending on how much you sprayed it and how wet it stayed. A different method you could employ would be to purchase some sphagnum moss, dampen it, and put some into each hide :gj:

thanks for all the help and info :gj: