DIY newbie enclosure setup

[DSpythons]

So I am new here and getting my ball python in a little over a week. I just set up his enclosure and thought I would put up step by step of how I set it up to help new ball python owners set up a proper habitat for their snake at little cost as possible.



This is almost everything I need to set up my enclosure. 10 gallon tank with a locking lid, heat lamp with built in dimmer switch, 50 watt red bulb, accutite thermometer, crock water dish, cypress mulch, ultratherm heat pad, hydrofarm thermostat (still being shipped!), 2 hides I made from deli containers, black construction paper, glue gun and aluminum tape.

First, I blacked out all 3 sides with construction paper to make my snake feel more secure. Then I washed out the deli containers and cut a small hole on the far right and then sanded down the rough edges. Then I cut a piece of Plexiglass to fit half the screen lid.



Next I secured my heat mat with aluminum tape because this mat is non adhesive and also it makes it easier to remove. *note: before securing heat mat place thermostat probe between glass and heat pad. I did not because I did not recieve mine yet but when I do I WILL be removing part of the tape and securing the thermostat probe. A thermostat is a MUST to control the heat pad temperature or your snake WILL get burned.*



I raised each corner of the tank so heat can escape and so the heat does not discolor the wooden desk.



Next I used a hot glue gun to stick the Accurite thermometer probe over the glass on top of the heat pad to measure the hot spot temperature. It does come with a adhesive probe but if it came undone the sticky part can pose a threat to the snake if it touches his scales and gets stuck. Then I hot glued the wires to the tank incase the snake climbs them.



I then used some more aluminum tape to tape down the cut Plexiglass to the screen so it traps some heat and humidity on the cool side.



Finally, add the substrate, water dish, indentical hides on both ends of the enclosure, the accurite on the cool end, and plug all the electrical components to a surge protector for safety. You want to aim for a 50-60% humidity, ~80 degree cool spot, 90 degree hot spot. You may have to adjust the dimmer on the light and spray the enclosure here and there to keep up with fluctuating temperature and humidity in a glass tank. I use cypress because it holds humidity well in a glass tank. Do not go by temperatures being displayed in the picture because they are still fluctuating.

Well, good luck new owners I am very excited about getting my first ball python. I hope this helped a little and bp.net vetrans.. Feel free to critique my set up!

[MsMissy]

Looks like a great start!!! If I might suggest.... Perhaps some plastic plants/ vines etc to fill space? They typically spend all their time at ground level but they like clutter and tbh, mine does like to go up from time to time.

[DSpythons]

Looks like a great start!!! If I might suggest.... Perhaps some plastic plants/ vines etc to fill space? They typically spend all their time at ground level but they like clutter and tbh, mine does like to go up from time to time.

I am going to add plastic plants soon! Just have not had a chance to buy any yet. Just got the most important stuff set up first.

[rocknhorse76]

The heat mat looks a little large for a 10gal tank. Not sure you're gonna have much of a temperature gradient from end to end. The rest looks ok though.

[Anya]

Looks really good!! Kudos to you for being a responsible owner BEFORE you bring snakey home!

[MootWorm]

Looks good! I'd highly recommend the dollar store for plants. I grabbed a ton of long viney-type ones when i was there. Yay for cheap, easy fillers!!!

[DSpythons]

The heat mat looks a little large for a 10gal tank. Not sure you're gonna have much of a temperature gradient from end to end. The rest looks ok though.

That was the smallest reptile basics made. I really hate the stick on heat pads since they malfuntion so much. (Had a zoo med one on a dimmer on the lowest setting always at 88 degrees for my corn for a year and one day it shot to 120 degrees)

[kitedemon]

Couple of comments,

WHERE is YOUR THERMOSTAT????!!!!

They are not optional.

I am not a fan of having battery operated appliances inside the enclosure, keep in mind I dislike accurites, the specs allow for to much range. (4ºF up or down from correct and 10% RH) Batteries can leak and get nasty.

[SaintTawny]

Kitedemon, he said his thermostat is in the mail, if you read the post. As far as I can tell this guy has done everything right.

As for the variability in the thermometer, I wouldn't worry overmuch about it. He's not incubating eggs. Even if the hot side reaches 94F when the thermometer is reading 90F, his snake is not going to get burnt, and that's the most important thing. If the battery starts to leak, then perhaps OP could consider a different brand, but surely not every accurite thermometer is destined to leak battery fluid.

[I-KandyReptiles]

Couple of comments,

WHERE is YOUR THERMOSTAT????!!!!

They are not optional.

I am not a fan of having battery operated appliances inside the enclosure, keep in mind I dislike accurites, the specs allow for to much range. (4ºF up or down from correct and 10% RH) Batteries can leak and get nasty.

He said that he has a thermostat in the mail, and he doesn't have the snake yet..