i'm ignorant

[DooLittle]

And if you go to Walmart looking for Accurites and cannont find them, we found them with the fans.

[yz9890]

I have a couple of 28qt sterilite tubs in my basement. I see the ultratherms come in 11x17 size pads. what size pads do you guys put under a 28qt tube (23x16.3). will that fit? the 11x11 would seem to leave a lot of space.

[Slim]

The 11x11 would be just fine for a 28 qt tub. Keep in mind that what you are trying to create is a warm belly heated spot where you snake can go when it needs to thermo regulate, especially after eating.

[yz9890]

I tried to convince my wife about the tub but she said my son wanted a tank. maybe later. still working in the the temps. right now it's running 77cold / 87hot and 49% humidity via a 11x11 ultratherm UTH and a thermostat. We got the snake today (I think my son named him Carlos) and he's a funny little guy. seems happy as can be. curious, not shy at all, and ate a live mouse about 10mins after moving in to his new digs. my son loves, loves, loves the snake but was shocked at the cuteness of the food. well need to work on that and maybe try to change to frozen.

thanks for your help.

[WingedWolfPsion]

The only concerns I can see right now are
A) The temperature is too low. The basking spot should be 90F. The air temperature should be 80F.

B) Regulating humidity is going to be extremely difficult.

You will probably have to cover all but an inch of that screen top with plastic, and might still have to add a fogger (such as a Repti-Fogger) to keep the humidity at 60%. Covering most of the top and raising the humidity may also help with the heat issues.

Hot air rises, of course--and floats right out of the top of the tank. This is the reason why tanks with screen tops aren't recommended. You will need to modify this setup to provide correct temperatures and humidity, it simply can't work as it is currently.

Are the shavings aspen? Pine is potentially toxic.

[I-KandyReptiles]

Here's a good thread on how to fix your screen lid to create better humiidity:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=90187

I am using a tank ATM, but am currently waiting on my custom PVC tank.

If your wife/son want the snake on display, consider ording a PVC tank from animal plastics.

It's supposed to be much better at holding temps and humidity than an open screened lid.

What I've learned from this site?

Aquariums are for fish

[mackynz]

Here's a good thread on how to fix your screen lid to create better humiidity:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=90187

I use this and it works like a charm!

[yz9890]

The only concerns I can see right now are
A) The temperature is too low. The basking spot should be 90F. The air temperature should be 80F.

B) Regulating humidity is going to be extremely difficult.

You will probably have to cover all but an inch of that screen top with plastic, and might still have to add a fogger (such as a Repti-Fogger) to keep the humidity at 60%. Covering most of the top and raising the humidity may also help with the heat issues.

Hot air rises, of course--and floats right out of the top of the tank. This is the reason why tanks with screen tops aren't recommended. You will need to modify this setup to provide correct temperatures and humidity, it simply can't work as it is currently.

Are the shavings aspen? Pine is potentially toxic.

thanks for the feedback.

I relocated the thermostat probe so the UTH now lays completely flat under the tank and I can now get the warm side to whatever temp I want. the cold side is still at 78 though (we keep the house pretty cool). I bought a piece of plexiglass to put over the screen. we'll see how that works on the air temp. the shavings are aspen.

[Exotic Ectotherms]

Looks like a really good start! Once you cover that lid with some plexi you will notice a huge difference. The only other thing I would recommend is think about putting some fake plants in there to take up some of the open space....especially overhead. If you make the tank feel smaller for your BP, he will be less likely to get stressed and go off feed. You can get the kind that suction cup to the glass at pretty much any big box petstore.

Maybe I missed it in the previous posts, but where did you end up getting your BP from?

[yz9890]

Looks like a really good start! Once you cover that lid with some plexi you will notice a huge difference. The only other thing I would recommend is think about putting some fake plants in there to take up some of the open space....especially overhead. If you make the tank feel smaller for your BP, he will be less likely to get stressed and go off feed. You can get the kind that suction cup to the glass at pretty much any big box petstore.

Maybe I missed it in the previous posts, but where did you end up getting your BP from?

thanks. it was a gift for my son and we wanted to leave a little of the decorating for him. he said he wants to put a plant and a big skull in there. might have to pull that hide in the middle out for all that I suppose.

I ended up getting it from a local breeder at Pets Galore on Grinstead Drive in Louisville. That guy (i cant recall his name, i suck) was very helpful and he made sure it had eaten 3 times before I picked it up. Gave me some supplies and a lot of help. He also helped my wife get comfortable with the snake by helping her hold the adult BP's he had there. My wife quickly went from freaked out to really enjoying them with his help.