A few questions before I start...

[towelie4365]

So, I've owned a corn snake and bearded dragons before, and I've decided I'm going to get myself a ball python this summer. I have a few questions on how I should set up the enclosure...

First, I'm thinking I want to use a tub setup. One plus that I see from having a tub is the relative ease of cleaning it compared to a tank, which means I will not procrastinate on this necessary task. I will also be moving several times in the next few years, and a tub will be much easier to deal with. Is there any reason I should reconsider this? I also figure I should start with an appropriately sized tub for a full grown snake, making sure the baby ball has plenty of hides to feel secure.

Next, I'm not sure if I will need more than one UTH. I know a gradient of temperatures is required for ball pythons, but will that be accomplished with just one UTH that is regulated to maintain a 90 degree zone? If not, then I will need two thermostats and UTH's. Also, what is a good UTH to go with?

As far as thermostats go, I've heard conflicting responses over having the hydrofarm thermostat (found on amazon). Why would this not be a good option? And with two UTH's, having a herpstat(s) would cost a significant amount more. I'd use the accurite thermometer/humidity monitor to check the levels.

In case you're wondering where I'll be... I'll be starting out in South Carolina for at least half of a year to a year, but I could also be up in New York, and I'll eventually be in Connecticut as well. And then after that I'll be somewhere else... all in the next two years. So I guess I need a setup that can accommodate different environments easily.

[rebelrachel13]

Your plan for a tub setup sounds excellent. They really do allow much easier cleaning and are incredibly mobile compared to tanks.

You shouldn't need more than one UTH and I would advise against that option. Ultratherms are the preferred brand and come in many different sizes. They are sold by Reptile Basics and are cheaper, cooler, and better made than other reptile brands like ZooMed.

With an Ultratherm UTH, a Hydrofarm thermostat would work fine. The reason it is sometimes discouraged, to my understanding, is because it functions on an on/off basis rather than a proportional one. Therefore, it doesn't have quite as reliable readings as a proportional thermostat would.

[Trackstrong83]

Great choice going with the tub not only is it more mobile and easy to clean, I promise you that you won't have any issues keeping temps/humidity spot on. I'm using a tub right now and it is awesome.

[1nstinct]

instead of a UTH, why not just go with some flex watt and a herpstat? i love my herpstats and i will probably never use a diff thermostat. to me the thermostat is the most important thing when heating, and i woulnt not risk my animals or house with using a cheaper substitute thermostat.
Tom

[towelie4365]

Well, isn't flex watt a bit more difficult to set up? I thought flex watt was the choice if you were doing a rack system, and an UTH would be easier to set up for just a single tub/tank. Also, if I use an UTH that doesn't get terribly hot anyways, and I have a probe to double check that temperature, shouldn't I be fine? A herpstat might be a good investment though, it would run me $70 more, right? (~$100 for the basic model, iirc)

[1nstinct]

yeah 100 for the basic model, to me flex watt is easier to do for a single tub(my GTP is on a single tub) and the flex watt stays a constant 87 hot side and 82 cold side for the tub, and my bp are in a rack, JCP in a cage, and flex watt is cheaper than a UTH in the long run, a 2ft section hooked up is around $10 from RBI and will last you for all the tubs a bp will need from baby till adult, where are for bigger tubs you will need to buy bigger UTH for each size tub.

Tom

[towelie4365]

yeah 100 for the basic model, to me flex watt is easier to do for a single tub(my GTP is on a single tub) and the flex watt stays a constant 87 hot side and 82 cold side for the tub, and my bp are in a rack, JCP in a cage, and flex watt is cheaper than a UTH in the long run, a 2ft section hooked up is around $10 from RBI and will last you for all the tubs a bp will need from baby till adult, where are for bigger tubs you will need to buy bigger UTH for each size tub.

Tom

That's why I planned on starting with the tub I'd need for it as an adult-- no upgrades required. Do you need any tools to set up flex watt?

[1nstinct]

tool list- order from RBI and have rich assemble the flex watt for you(its free/any size you need), attach to where needed, plug into thermostat,place probe on flex watt, run some test trials(and do any adjustments as need), then your all set, check out RBI flex watt FAQ and it will give you a lot of info on the stuff, and if you have questions on what size you need email rich and he will take care of you(amazing guy to deal with), and pick up some of his hides(IMO they are the best hides out there)
Tom

[towelie4365]

Oh, thanks! Now those are both options. So the question is now... UTH v flex watt, and cheaper thermostat v herpstat...

[1nstinct]

you buy cheap you get cheap, cheap thermostats are a pain you have to adjust them until you get the correct temp, my herpstat all i have to do is hit up or down depending on what temp i want in the cage, and remember the thermostat controls how hot the flex watt gets so to me its not worth it to risk a malfunction or a fire on a cheap thermostat,

Tom