Son getting ball python. Cage setup help please

[Animals As Leaders]

Be careful what thermostat you get. I know they sell ones that are ok, and ones that have more options for cheaper... Well I got the cheaper one. Figured it would be better, it has 2 input things so I can regulate 2 things, but after a few months i guess the one broke so now im stuck with one, which i dont mind but I would have been able to use the second one now that im getting a second snake....

Mine was $30.(zoomed reptitemp 500R) Just sayin. Id still go with the one that I got.

Also understand that you have to keep the thermostat probe ON the uth. The snake can move it, and thats bad... If it comes out of the substrate and is sticking up the thermostat things "I need to give the UTH more wattage so its at the right temp" When really the UTH is at the right temp, its just the PROBE is at the wrong temp. Easy way to get high temps, and this makes me wonder how a thermostat can be much better then a rheostat when this happens...

FYI petsmart kinda isnt good. lol. I got alot of my stuff off of reptilesupply.com and its probably cheaper than if you got it in a store, even with shipping...

Also big tanks arent that much of a big deal. I wouldnt go with the 10 because you will just have to buy a bigger tank, and then figure out how to un stick the UTH with out breaking it, or buy a new one... I bought a used 38 tall like i said, it was $20 and came with almost everything needed and have had my BP in there since she was a baby.

The repti-therm is a piece and what he has pictured there IS a good unit for the time being. I don't agree that these are not good therm's and really do get the job done. I would reccomend buying a better one as time goes on, but in NO way is this unit a piece of junk. DO make sure about that probe!! If it moves and is NOT on the UTH you have BIG problem.

I don't know why you would even say how a dimmer is in anyway as reliable as a thermostat. You have to correct it ALL the time. Whenever the temp around it changes so does your belly heat. How is this AS good as something MAKING sure it doesn't go above X? No logic there sorry.

And a 10 is TOTALLY a better idea. It's tried and proved that bigger spaces can cause issues. Who are you to say otherwise? Its not saying that they will, but why risk it? A 10 gallon tank is 12 dollars at petco? I hate shopping at these stores, but I am not waiting 10-14 days for something I can go get there. I DO NOT buy animals from there ever.

Also, once he outgrows the 10 you can find 20 longs for like 20 bucks as well which are better suited for these snakes.

[BuckeyeBalls]

So you say i should buy the one you have? The Zilla Temperature Controller. And doesnt it only contol one source? Not two like the others? or the zoomed reptitemp 500R

petco should have the Zilla Temperature Controller the repti temp i would prolly have to wait till after i get snake.. or wait another month for the snake

Also im not buying the snake from there never will. Im going to all ohio reptile show to buy one off of the breeder not just some random person at a pet store

[Kaorte]

I use the reptitemp 500r on my quarantine tubs and it works great I have never had any problems with it. There are some more questionable ones on the market that are more expensive but seem to fail more often.

In my opinion, the reptitemp is the best single setup thermostat at a good price ($25). The only downside is it is hard to find in stores so ordering online is the best option.

[Animals As Leaders]

Ok well imma call petco in the morning and make sure they have it. Now one problem i might see is. You have to make sure nothing bumps the dial or it will mess up ur temps lol

What I do is slide the UTH under the tank without adhering it to the tank. So basically the waxpaper or sticky side is on whatever the tank is sitting on(piece of wood, dresser, etc.). There is usually a little gap there between the surface of the tank and the bottom once this is done and I just put the probe there rather then in the tank. The snake will most deffinitely move it, and tape is a bad idea as well so don't do that. It works for me perfectly. Put the probe on the surface of the tank to make sure the thermostat is where it should. The gap might make a little difference.

[BuckeyeBalls]

I use the reptitemp 500r on my quarantine tubs and it works great I have never had any problems with it. There are some more questionable ones on the market that are more expensive but seem to fail more often.

In my opinion, the reptitemp is the best single setup thermostat at a good price ($25). The only downside is it is hard to find in stores so ordering online is the best option.

Yea well we will be picking it up sat so i dont think i would get it before then. Where as i could most likely goto petco and pick up the Zilla Temperature Controller. Hmm what to do what to do

[BuckeyeBalls]

What I do is slide the UTH under the tank without adhering it to the tank. So basically the waxpaper or sticky side is on whatever the tank is sitting on(piece of wood, dresser, etc.). There is usually a little gap there between the surface of the tank and the bottom once this is done and I just put the probe there rather then in the tank. The snake will most deffinitely move it, and tape is a bad idea as well so don't do that. It works for me perfectly. Put the probe on the surface of the tank to make sure the thermostat is where it should. The gap might make a little difference.

Why would tape be a bad idea. And also the UTH is already stuck on there came with the tank. Its a small one like rated for 10-20 gallons. stuck on a 29 gallon one lol

But i will be buying a newer one in maybe two weeks something a little bit bigger to cover more of the bottom of the cage which i will get the next size up and will do that.

I think if i ordered the ReptiTemp 500R i could have it the beginning of next week, do you think the setup and temps now would last until monday when it would arrive or just go buy the one at petco

[Animals As Leaders]

I use the reptitemp 500r on my quarantine tubs and it works great I have never had any problems with it. There are some more questionable ones on the market that are more expensive but seem to fail more often.

In my opinion, the reptitemp is the best single setup thermostat at a good price ($25). The only downside is it is hard to find in stores so ordering online is the best option.

I guess everyone can have different luck you know. I heard that they kinda suck but you had a good run you never know. Its always good to spend the extra buck, but if you can't I don't think either tstats are bad until you can upgrade. It should be understood with tstat that you GET what you PAY for lol. And I guess theres a little luck involved in terms of long term reliability

[Kaorte]

You might be able to find the reptitemp 500r at the show you are going to. If you can't find it there, just get a $10 dimmer from home depot to temporarily control the UTH (use the other for the lamp) and then order the thermostat online.

Tape in the enclosure is a bad idea because they can easily get stuck to it. When you get your thermostat, place the probe directly on the UTH OUTSIDE the enclosure. This makes sure that the snake can't mess with it or move it off the UTH. If the probe is moved off the UTH it will spike, cooking the snake.

[Kaorte]

I guess everyone can have different luck you know. I heard that they kinda suck but you had a good run you never know. Its always good to spend the extra buck, but if you can't I don't think either tstats are bad until you can upgrade. It should be understood with tstat that you GET what you PAY for lol. And I guess theres a little luck involved in terms of long term reliability

I have had mine for over a year and a half and it works perfectly. I got it second hand as well so its even older then that.

Obviously there are better options, but I don't think the OP wants to spend $80 on a better thermostat for a single setup. I got my johnson controls thermostat after I got my second snake because I knew it was just a matter of time before I had a 3rd...4th...etc.

[Animals As Leaders]

You might be able to find the reptitemp 500r at the show you are going to. If you can't find it there, just get a $10 dimmer from home depot to temporarily control the UTH (use the other for the lamp) and then order the thermostat online.

Tape in the enclosure is a bad idea because they can easily get stuck to it. When you get your thermostat, place the probe directly on the UTH OUTSIDE the enclosure. This makes sure that the snake can't mess with it or move it off the UTH. If the probe is moved off the UTH it will spike, cooking the snake.

What she said!