Help confirm my shopping list...

[redshepherd]

So...! I am ready for a BP. Yessir.

I just need a confirmation from you experienced people of my shopping list to make sure I'm not missing anything OR if I have some wrong item.

I'm going with a tub setup.

1. Thermostat http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A2CXIDXPR1SRQR
2. $6 soldering iron http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A2BQOF56S0X0Q0
3. plastic tub
4. velcro tape for security
5. 6" heat tape (how many feet should I get for 1~2 snakes?) http://www.reptilebasics.com/heat-tape/6-heat-tape/
6. hides, paper towels, water dish...

Yes? Ready? Feel free to throw advice at me too. I am all ears! I just must make sure I am doing everything correctly.

[Eric Alan]

1) You shouldn't need any bigger than the 4" heat tape for tubs, so you can save yourself a little bit there.
2) What size BPs are you planning on getting? This will determine tub size/number (housing them individually), which will tell you how much heat tape to get.
3) Don't forget to think about your snakes growing - they'll progress through tub sizes relatively quickly if you get them young.
4) Where are you planning on putting the velcro tape? For what purpose?
5) If you can afford it, a Herpstat thermostat is a huge jump up in quality. Spending more on safety is always a good idea.
6) With multiple snakes, have you thought about a rack system? It's not a bad idea to future-proof - these things are addicting!

Best regards,
Eric

Edit: I forgot to mention that posts like this make me very happy. Thinking about husbandry/equipment before getting an animal is the best way to go about things.

[redshepherd]

I just randomly decided to go with a UTH over heat tape. http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiT...er+tank+heater

This one works well? :o

I'm hoping for a ball from a hobbyist breeder that is around a year old... but I may not be able to get that. :s I may contact some hobbyist breeders through facebook, find a ball selling through this forum, or faunaclassified? I'm not even totally sure where to go yet, so not sure on the size... hopefully a year old though with a chill temperament and settled feeding habit as first snake.

Velcro tape for securing the lid? I've read that it's a good idea for smaller escapey snakes. Is it not necessary for BP?

I've thought about a rack, but I'm 95% sure as of now that I will stick to one or two snakes total. If that changes... I'll decide in the future. =)

And thanks for the reply, Eric!

[KitaCat]

I might just be totally out of it, but I've never heard of "Velcro tape". Lol
How were you planning to use it to secure the lid? I've heard of clips, bungee cords, belts, etc. used to secure lids, but not Velcro. It might work, I just can't picture it.

I agree with Eric that it's awesome to see you thinking things through before getting your snake!

[redshepherd]

Or is it just called... velcro, without the tape part? LOL. Names of items, oh my.

I was thinking to have the velcro on the inner edge of the lid and the outer edge of the tub. So that when the tub closes, the two will stick. I have a friend who uses this velcro thing for her corn snake and JCP. =)

Urm... suddenly realized, I would need a thermo-hydrometer, yes? Which brand is the most popular on amazon?

ETA: And yes, thank you guys! I really want to make sure I have everything set and ready and healthy and researched for any new animals I add.

[goddessbaby]

as a rule of thumb, we try to stay away from sticky things when dealing with snakes. clips might be a better way to go about it imo if you feel you need extra security. My understanding is that a lot of people use acurite hygrometers. I learned about them on here and picked up one at walmart for like $12. it can measure humidity, and has 2 temp readings for hot/cold side.

[Albert Clark]

I would ditch the Zoo Med uth and go with the ultratherm uth from the Bean Farm. The mechanism for heat transfer is a lot safer than the other model. It's more of a lateral pulsating , radiating heat as opposed to a stationary glued heat. Much more animal friendly. I believe REPTILE BASICS carries them also. Just IMO.

[C2tcardin]

I would skip the velcro in lieu of just getting a tub with locking handles, that will easily hold them. You will also want to get some stainless tongs or hemostats for feeding time, 12" or longer. I agree with the others don't go cheap on the thermostat it's the single most important piece of equipment you will need. I would also get a IR temp gun for reading temps, they aren't that expensive and they're much more reliable. There are also digital hygrometers that have a probe that will be more accurate than the cheap dial things. You will also want something to clean/disinfect with.

Here is what I would get, considering you may be trying to keep the cost to a minimum but not skimping too.
Thermostat: http://www.reptilebasics.com/ve-100
Temp gun: http://www.reptilebasics.com/TG-1
Ambient temp and humidity: http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermometers/TH-100/
Cleaning products: http://www.reptilebasics.com/chlorhexadine-16oz
Hides (2): http://www.reptilebasics.com/medium-hide-box
Hemostats: http://www.reptilebasics.com/hemostat-12
Water dish: http://www.reptilebasics.com/medium-water-bowl

*note* I don't work for reptile Basics. LOL

[KMG]

Unless you are not able to afford a better tstat I would get a different one. I bought one of those once and it was dead within 3 months. It died in the on position. I was lucky and found it shortly after it started having issues so no harm was done. From that point on I would no longer recommend them.

I would get the best you can afford as it is the most important thing you are about to buy.

I like Herpstat and have 4.

http://spyderrobotics.com/home/products.html

Many also like these.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermostats

[Eric Alan]

I agree with the others don't go cheap on the thermostat it's the single most important piece of equipment you will need.

Here is what I would get, considering you may be trying to keep the cost to a minimum but not skimping too.
Thermostat: http://www.reptilebasics.com/ve-100
Temp gun: http://www.reptilebasics.com/TG-1

FWIW, the VE-100 you recommended is basically just an expensive on/off thermostat. I'd get at least the VE-200 or any of the Herpstat models, as they're all proprtional-style.