What are the essentials?

[BPGuy]

If you really want to do what's best for your baby, you might consider a cage like a T8 from Animal Plastics. Those kinds of tanks (any brand of those tanks, really) keep humidity and heat pretty well and it won't be such a nightmare for you.

x2 regarding the T8! Each of my kids acquired a ball python last fall. We were keeping each in a 40 gallon Zilla Critter Cage (glass tank with screen top). Maintaining temps and humidity was a royal pain. Plus, my kids had trouble accessing the BPs because one tank was on a dresser and the other was on countertop, both of which were too high for my kids to reach into without getting on a stool or stepladder. Over the past several days, we assembled and set up the T8 and put the BPs in them last night. It is like night and day! The kids can easily access the BPs, and the T8, along with the Herpstat 2 that I purchased, are helping maintain the humidity and temps. Thus, I strongly recommend that, as your BP gets older and grows out of its current tank, you consider moving the BP to an enclosure like the T8 rather than another glass tank.

[obsidianembrace]

Thank you for all the responses!

I looked into the Herpstat but I think I need a cheaper option for now.. Or maybe I should just get it and go cheaper on other things. I would either get a cheaper t-stat from a hardware store here and have it immediately while I save up for a Herpstat or I could work with a dimmer until then. Or splurge on the Herpstat and hope the two UTHs I have are enough. What do you guys think?

I will definitely keep the T8 in mind for the future! For now I already have the 10 gal and I'll work with it until he grows.

[obsidianembrace]

Also is there a cheaper way to get Repti-Carpet? And could someone tell me the best kind of bedding? I know aspen is commonly used, is that shavings?

So I need a thermostat to control the temps and that's connected to the UTH. Does the t-stat come with two probes one for the cold and one for the warm side? Do I need a thermometer to double check those temps? The one I have only has one probe.

Once I have the belly temps correct, does the ambient temp sometimes take care of itself? Or will I most likely need a CHE also?

I'm looking for the cheapest options to save money, but if something necessary is going to be expensive not matter what that's fine, of course.

[BHReptiles]

Thank you for all the responses!

I looked into the Herpstat but I think I need a cheaper option for now.. Or maybe I should just get it and go cheaper on other things. I would either get a cheaper t-stat from a hardware store here and have it immediately while I save up for a Herpstat or I could work with a dimmer until then. Or splurge on the Herpstat and hope the two UTHs I have are enough. What do you guys think?

I will definitely keep the T8 in mind for the future! For now I already have the 10 gal and I'll work with it until he grows.

I would splurge on the Herpstat. It will be the BEST investment you ever make for your snake. You only need 1 UTH and the small should be fine. You just need it to cover 1/4-1/3 of the tank floor to create the best gradient.

I think the 10 gal is fine until he gets bigger, but definitely consider a T8 or something very similar to that (I think Vision makes some similar cages)

Also is there a cheaper way to get Repti-Carpet? And could someone tell me the best kind of bedding? I know aspen is commonly used, is that shavings?

So I need a thermostat to control the temps and that's connected to the UTH. Does the t-stat come with two probes one for the cold and one for the warm side? Do I need a thermometer to double check those temps? The one I have only has one probe.

Once I have the belly temps correct, does the ambient temp sometimes take care of itself? Or will I most likely need a CHE also?

I'm looking for the cheapest options to save money, but if something necessary is going to be expensive not matter what that's fine, of course.

I'm not a fan of the repti-carpet, but some people swear by it. For bedding, most people use Aspen. I prefer cypress, coco fiber, eco earth, or a blend of the three. This will hold humidity and help you maintain your humidity levels especially when your snake is in shed. You only need 1/2 in-1 in of bedding or else your UTH is useless (because it won't penetrate the bedding).

The probe on the thermostat will be placed directly on the UTH between the UTH and the glass. To measure temps, you will need an infrared temp gun or two DIGITAL thermometers with probes. Walmart sells some that are about $12 and work well.

As for ambient temperature, it all depends on how cold you keep your house. You may need a CHE in the winter if you're like me and don't like to run the heat. However, in the summer, my ambient temp is 80* ish so a CHE isn't necessary. As long as the ambient temp is over 75*, you shouldn't need an additional heat source.

[obsidianembrace]

I'm not a fan of the repti-carpet, but some people swear by it. For bedding, most people use Aspen. I prefer cypress, coco fiber, eco earth, or a blend of the three. This will hold humidity and help you maintain your humidity levels especially when your snake is in shed. You only need 1/2 in-1 in of bedding or else your UTH is useless (because it won't penetrate the bedding).

The probe on the thermostat will be placed directly on the UTH between the UTH and the glass. To measure temps, you will need an infrared temp gun or two DIGITAL thermometers with probes. Walmart sells some that are about $12 and work well.

The diagram I saw in a cage-setup guide was to have the probes inside the tank, wired under repticarpet and poked out in the middle. Then they put a thin layer of aspen over that. I like the idea of having a layer between my snake and the glass/UTH but if it would be safe without it, then I'll just do the aspen. So you recommend putting the probe on the outside under the tank in between the glass and UTH?

The breeder I got him from said the eco earth would hold too much humidity and rot, but if it isn't a problem I would rather use that than wood shavings...

[BHReptiles]

The diagram I saw in a cage-setup guide was to have the probes inside the tank, wired under repticarpet and poked out in the middle. Then they put a thin layer of aspen over that. I like the idea of having a layer between my snake and the glass/UTH but if it would be safe without it, then I'll just do the aspen. So you recommend putting the probe on the outside under the tank in between the glass and UTH?

The breeder I got him from said the eco earth would hold too much humidity and rot, but if it isn't a problem I would rather use that than wood shavings...

The problem with placing the probe inside the tank is that it can get dislodged and cause the UTH to get too hot. I usually set it between the glass and UTH and usually crank it up until the temp on the glass is 92-93*. Your snake will burrow in the aspen and sit on the glass bottom so that's why I recommend the probe on the outside.

As for Eco earth, if you that's all you use and you keep it very, very damp (like misting it 2+x times daily), then yes, it can be a problem. But that's also why if you use Eco Earth, you don't have to mist unless it falls below 50% and only mist enough for it to stay in the 45-55% range. When the snake is in shed, you just mist enough to keep it in the 60-70% range. As long as you change out the bedding and don't leave it in there for weeks at a time, it shouldn't be a problem.

[obsidianembrace]

I'm glad I can use the eco earth. I've liked it in the past because of its re-usability and looks.

I've ordered my Herpstat (3 day shipping, I'm so excited!) but I won't have a t-stat in the meantime. I'm going to add the thermometer temporarily inside the cage under the substrate because later I'm going to use that one for ambient temperatures. But I definitely want to be monitoring that UTH closely until the t-stat gets here.

Can someone explain the t-stat more clearly? I've never dealt with one before so I'm not even sure I have the right concept. I ordered the Herpstat 1 Basic. Does the thermostat have a probe? Is that the one that goes in between the UTH and glass? I'm guessing I plug the heat mat into the t-stat and the probe detects temperature and controls the wattage to the UTH.

Also the power strip that I mentioned in my OP.. does anyone know what that is? It still sounds so awesome and I could definitely use it if I end up needing a CHE or decide to light the cage.

I was reading about a timer (?) power strip that has 4 always on outlets, 2 day, and 2 night. That sounds like it would be very useful! Does anyone know what exactly that was?

I'm so glad I'm getting some good responses. Thank you guys

[BHReptiles]

I'm glad I can use the eco earth. I've liked it in the past because of its re-usability and looks.

I've ordered my Herpstat (3 day shipping, I'm so excited!) but I won't have a t-stat in the meantime. I'm going to add the thermometer temporarily inside the cage under the substrate because later I'm going to use that one for ambient temperatures. But I definitely want to be monitoring that UTH closely until the t-stat gets here.

Can someone explain the t-stat more clearly? I've never dealt with one before so I'm not even sure I have the right concept. I ordered the Herpstat 1 Basic. Does the thermostat have a probe? Is that the one that goes in between the UTH and glass? I'm guessing I plug the heat mat into the t-stat and the probe detects temperature and controls the wattage to the UTH.

Also the power strip that I mentioned in my OP.. does anyone know what that is? It still sounds so awesome and I could definitely use it if I end up needing a CHE or decide to light the cage.

I'm so glad I'm getting some good responses. Thank you guys

Don't even turn your UTH on! Just leave it off until you get your thermostat in. Your snake will be okay. If you turn it on, it will heat up all the way (sometimes to 130*+ which will burn your snake quickly)

Yes, the thermostat will come with a probe and that's what you place between the UTH and the glass. Basically what it will do is only allow x-amount of power to the UTH so it doesn't heat up all the way. It's not like an on-off type of thermostat where it turns on full blast until it gets to 2*ish above your desired temp and then shuts off until about 2* below your desired temp (the hydrofarm works like this). Your UTH is on all the time but it's only heating up enough to reach your desired temp. That way, there are very little fluctuations in your temp.

When you get your thermostat, you will plug the actual unit into the wall and plug the UTH into the unit. Then hook up the probe and configure the settings. Then it's good to go!

As for the power strip, I have one of those that I used for a little bit. Honestly, it's not worth it. If you need the CHE for extra heat, chances are you need that extra heat all the time. Since your ball python doesn't need a day/night cycle, it's not necessary. now, if you had a corn snake, I'd recommend one of those with a day and night bulb. But you don't need it for ball pythons.

[BPGuy]

I've got two of those timers power strips. I was using one per 40 gallon tank. Mine are digital timers. I believe they are made by Zilla (if not Zilla, then ZooMed). I also use similar timer power strips on my fish tanks (although the fish tank timers are a different brand than my reptile timers, they look nearly identical and, I suspect, are made in the same factory). All of the timers tend to "gain" time. Even though I've had the reptile timers for only about 6 months now, one of them is already running 15-16 minutes fast. That being said, I do find them useful for lighting my enclosures (both the fish tanks and my T8). I originally bought the reptile ones to help regulate the heat, but when winter hit, I had to run the CHEs (and the UTHs) 24/7. The best solution for me ended up being a thermostat. I originally bought a ReptiTherm 500 from ZooMed. However, just yesterday (with the completion of my T8 setup), I switched to the Herpstat 2. Although I've only used the Herpstat for one day now, I fell much more comfortable with it than I ever did with the ReptiTherms. Thus, I think you'll be very glad that you purchased the Herpstat. So, the bottom line, IMHO, is use the Herpstat to regulate the heat and, if you want to regulate light, use the timer power strip. If your tank gets enough light from either windows or room lights (my T8 does not), then skip the timer power strip.

[obsidianembrace]

Don't even turn your UTH on! Just leave it off until you get your thermostat in. Your snake will be okay. If you turn it on, it will heat up all the way (sometimes to 130*+ which will burn your snake quickly)

My house tends to run very cold (like 63 at night..during the summer..) so I moved him to a room that's temperature controlled at 70. That's the best I can do without the UTH. I got 2-3 day shipping so hopefully the t-stat comes before the weekend!

After the t-stat comes and after one night of proper temps I think I'll feed him. Does that sound alright?

Looks like everything is waiting on the herpstat to get here! Thank you for answering my questions I'll give an update later this week (with pictures!)