Please help with my setup!

I posted an introduction thread the other day, and a few people suggested I post here for advice on my vivarium. I got my Ball Python last Friday in Berkeley, and just asked them to give me the basics to set up - since I spent a small fortune on the tank itself ($145), thought I'd save the "luxuries" for my next trip. I'm probably going back tomorrow or Wednesday for her first meal, so this would be a good time to get everything that's missing. Pictures are below... I've already been instructed to cover the lamp, and to get a better hiding spot (and add one to the other side). Any more suggestions or tips? She seems fairly content so far, sleeping in her log during the day and exploring at night, but I obviously want the BEST for her. TIA! :gj:

P.S. I can't use wood-based bedding due to allergies, so I chose the Carefresh... others said newspaper is better, so should I switch to that?

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF4716.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF4717.jpg

Oh, I also had a question about heating... we live in a very temperate climate (rarely gets above 70 or below 50), so I was told an under-tank heating pad wasn't necessary. I've just used that heat lamp so far, and the thermometers are reading 92 on the warm side, and around 80 on the cooler side. Is this sufficient, or should I get the pad anyway?

1. The lamp definitely needs to be covered.
2. She will need 2 identical snug fitting "cave type" hides.
3. under tank heater for warm side.
4. Thermostat or rheostat for uth.
5. Plastics plants & greenery.
6. Accurite thermometer/hygrometer w/ probe, available at walmart, Lowes, Homedepot for around $12

I would get something to cover the bulb, but hey you might be fine with just the hide you have currently and may not need greenery... feel her out, before you go spend on that stuff (which can be expensive), see if shes fine with what you have and if she'll eat for you or not.

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Originally Posted by Lolo76

Oh, I also had a question about heating... we live in a very temperate climate (rarely gets above 70 or below 50), so I was told an under-tank heating pad wasn't necessary. I've just used that heat lamp so far, and the thermometers are reading 92 on the warm side, and around 80 on the cooler side. Is this sufficient, or should I get the pad anyway?

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It was probably the "pet shop expert" who told it wasn't necessary

Ball pythons need belly heat i.e. under tank heater, the don't bask like some reptiles.

The uth side needs to be 92*, this helps them to digest their food.

What is the humidity reading?

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Originally Posted by Enser54

I would get something to cover the bulb, but hey you might be fine with just the hide you have currently and may not need greenery... feel her out, before you go spend on that stuff (which can be expensive), see if shes fine with what you have and if she'll eat for you or not.

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They require 2 hides to provide the optimal living environment

She may still thrive, as mine do with just one hide. Especially in a tub on a rack, theres not going to be room to do two.

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Originally Posted by llovelace

It was probably the "pet shop expert" who told it wasn't necessary

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To be fair, I didn't get her at a "pet shop"... she's from a vivarium in Berkeley, which is well-known for their reputable advice and care. :gj: He said it probably will be needed, but not until next winter - since we're pretty much done with the cold for now. But if you say it's needed regardless, I'll take your word!

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What is the humidity reading?

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Ya know what? I was just thinking "why don't I have a humidifier?" (or whatever you call the readers) I remember it being mentioned when I bought her, but I don't seem to have one... guess that's something I'll pick up tomorrow!

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Originally Posted by Enser54

She may still thrive, as mine do with just one hide. Especially in a tub on a rack, theres not going to be room to do two.

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You are correct in your statement but we are discussung a viv set up.

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Originally Posted by Lolo76

Ya know what? I was just thinking "why don't I have a humidifier?" (or whatever you call the readers) I remember it being mentioned when I bought her, but I don't seem to have one... guess that's something I'll pick up tomorrow!

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Wallyworld :)

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Originally Posted by llovelace

Wallyworld :)

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You mean Walmart? Unfortunately we don't have one around here... :( Would Target have something appropriate?

You can find the accurite temperature/hygrometer w/ probe at most home improvement stores in the garden department, I just checked target online and didn't see one.

That bulb either needs to be covered or be ditched all together. If your snake got too close, she could get burned!
Get a UTH and put it on a thermostat (you can find a inexpensive one on the reptile supply website).
If you are going to keep the light, find something to enclose it in, maybe a wire cage, so your BP can't get to it. Then put the light on a light dimmer so you can keep your ambient temp around 80*.
I don't know what you are using to measure your temps now, but your best bet, as mentioned before is to get an Accurite digital thermometer and hydrometer combo. Make sure you get the one with the probe for the "outdoor" reading.
Get two identical tight fitting hides with a small opening. This can be as easy as taking a used plastic container and cutting a hole in the side. Tada! Insta-hide.
I don't know if you are into the whole nice looking cage thing, but I think yours could use a little plant decor :D
Carefresh is fine to use, you could also use paper towels if you like a cleaner look :D

Hope this helps!

Thank you all for the advice! I'll print out this thread, and take it shopping with me - to make sure I don't forget anything. ;) FYI, the heat lamp is connected to a dimmer, and I'm just using a standard thermometer on the ground... temps seem to have stabilized now, so I will probably cover that lamp rather than getting something else (esp since it's built-in). And yes, I do want a pretty cage, so there will be some decorative items going in soon!

I also just looked at the care sheet they gave me, and it does show an under-tank heater... guess he just thought I wouldn't need it right away? Here's the diagram they provided:

http://www.eastbayvivarium.com/cares...s/image003.jpg

A UTH is a good idea, You can just slap it on the underside of that enclosure and you are good to go. I think UTH's are great for maintaining a correct hot spot inside the hide. That way you know they have the right temps to digest their food inside the hide.

Others have said but...

1- Cover or remove that bulb completely

2- Provide 2 identical hides. Hide logs suck BTW, you need something that will provide a lot of security. I went with reptile basics hides and my ball loves them.

3- Need more clutter in a viv setup to make the snake feel secure when it is out and about

4- Acurite thermometers are usually found at Home Cheapo or Lowes. I actually couldn't find any at the HD near me but Lowes had a ton of em. Attach them to the side of the viv on the INSIDE on the cool side about 3-5" above the substrate. I attached mine with double sided stick pads. Put the hotside probe in the substrate above the UTH

5- You need the aformentioned UTH and SHOULD have it on a tstat but a $10 dimmer from Home Cheapo will get you by as long as you check every day. Never plug a UTH in without some form of temp control as many will crank up to well above 100 degrees and that WILL burn the snake.

6- Make sure that the viv doesn't have too many places for humidity to get out and mist when needed. Any cheap spray bottle works fine as a mister but I got all fancy schmancy and got a fine spray mister from a chain store lol. Works very well.

Not trying to tear up your setup, noone here is. I actually just went through the gauntlet of regs here setting up my 20L terrarium. I had log hides and humidity way off and after some constructive criticism I fixed everything and my ball immedietely went back on feed and is much happier now. Hope this helps.


This is what mine looks like as of right now.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...w/100_0687.jpg

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Originally Posted by ScottyDsntKnow

This is what mine looks like as of right now.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...w/100_0687.jpg

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And a fantabulous job on your viv

Great looking vivarium, Scotty - and thanks for the advice! I knew mine needed work, so I'm glad to have all the constructive criticism. :gj: Do you like the tank I got, though? It cost a pretty penny, and I hope it was worth the extra $$$.

Well mine is a 20L and this is what I paid so you can compare to what you paid and see if you think it was worth it.

I paid $60 for the tank at Petco, $25 for ALL the faux plants the 20L background paper, the big rock thinger and the branch(all living things box set at Petsmart), $20 for the UTH, $25 for the Tstat, $10 for the dimmer, $15 for the lamp and bulb, $12 for both hides, $6 for the bowl, $7 for the moss, $10 for the mister and $12 for the thermometer.

Figure on the aspen and the tape/foil etc... and I paid about $200 for the whole shebang. With the tape and foil on top it holds humidity perfectly and temps stay consistently good.

i would suggest gettin the hides from the dollar store you can find something to use there, and it'll save you some money!

I got the reptile basics ones because they have the offset entry and they were cheap as hell even with shipping. I can only say from my personal experience that they are great but my BP absoluetly loves them.

Thanks again everyone! :gj: I went back to the vivarium yesterday, and went over all the details you gave me... they cleared up a few issues, like the reason why I DON'T need the UTH (it has to do with the kind of tank I have - he said it's fine if my ground temps are 80/90), humidity gauge, and a few other things. I did get a nice resting log, which she immediately stretched out on.

They also told me I could put a "moratorium" on the no-holding rule, since she actually invited herself onto my arm the other day. So we held her for a little while last night, and she was such a gentle sweetheart! Didn't seem scared or nervous at all, even when my dog decided to take a sniff (she actually sniffed him back), and she gave me a little "kiss" on my chin. I got a cool picture of her wrapped around my arm, which I'll share when I get home. We also tried to feed her last night - unsuccessfully - so I'm planning to call the viv for advice & try again tonight. We're giving her frozen pinkie rats, and hopefully she will be okay with that! I'll post here for help if it doesn't work tonight... wish me luck. :please:

I keep all my snakes in rack systems or stackable cages. I would like to point something out to you all however.... The OP asked about his setup, and like clockwork little robots everyone here says the same thing, 2 hides, 2 pads, dimmers or tstats, etc etc etc. and I am not disagreeing with you all.

but...

YouTube - Basic Ball Python Set-Up ( part 1 )
YouTube - Basic Ball Python Set-Up ( part 2 )

Now, according to everyone here, and the way I set up my own bps, the above is totally wrong, but um..its RD.....how are you going to argue with RD? Who here has a dreamsicle or a super phantom goblin? I would like to think the guy knows something about ball pythons...

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Originally Posted by stormwulf133

I keep all my snakes in rack systems or stackable cages. I would like to point something out to you all however.... The OP asked about his setup, and like clockwork little robots everyone here says the same thing, 2 hides, 2 pads, dimmers or tstats, etc etc etc. and I am not disagreeing with you all.

but...

Now, according to everyone here, and the way I set up my own bps, the above is totally wrong, but um..its RD.....how are you going to argue with RD? Who here has a dreamsicle or a super phantom goblin? I would like to think the guy knows something about ball pythons...

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I think the keyword to those videos is "basic". RD even says a few times "this is a bare-bones basic setup".

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Originally Posted by Buttons

I think the keyword to those videos is "basic". RD even says a few times "this is a bare-bones basic setup".

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But my point is, everyone here would consider that incorrect, not bare bones.
I just thought it would give another perspective on setup.

I think "stormwulf" makes a good point, though... everyone will have a different setup, and that doesn't necessarily mean any of them are wrong. I think we just have to gauge our snakes personally, and also take into account things like space, climate, environment, etc. The advice I got on this thread was extremely useful and appreciated, but I might have to make a few executive decisions in the end. ;)

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Originally Posted by stormwulf133

Who here has a dreamsicle or a super phantom goblin? I would like to think the guy knows something about ball pythons...

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I don't want to start a "thing" but I don't need to own, or have produced the latest gee-whiz BP morph to know from basic observation, what works and what doesn't when it comes to setting up a BP vivarium.

And, as I've stated on this forum before, standard advice is standard for a simple reason...it works.