T3 advice

[bjthomps]

I am buying an AnimalPlastics T3 for one of our BPs, so we can seperate the 2 properly, and I was looking for some advice. I have read through the various posts and there seems to be some disagreement on what is best, including the advice I got from the lady at AP itself.

I am having AP install their belly heat coil on the underside of the T3, which I will control with a Herp thermostat to maintain the proper ground temperature. For those of you using this (or a similar) setup, do I also need the round screens put into the top to put overhead heat lights on it? The lady at AP said living in south Florida, whith a usual room temperature of bout 78 degrees, an overhead light was not necessary. She also said putting in the screen(s) on the top and using more overhead heat would potentially suck the humidity out of the T3....

So, which way do I go?? Can I stick solely with the T3 belly heat (with an installed flourescent light for cleaning), or do I need an overhead heat lamp as well? My wife has read some posts that suggest even with the belly heat keeping the temperature where it needs to be, the BP will want some overhead heat to bask in... I just want the optimal setup for the snake...

Thanks for any input.

-BT

[sho220]

"I have a T3 and although I never used it for BPs, I would recommend not getting the holes. No need for a CHE when belly heat will get the job done with no humidity issues..Unless your room is exceptionally chilly and you need additional heat."

Above advise was given by Jamie in another T3 thread...

[BD1]

I am buying an AnimalPlastics T3 for one of our BPs, so we can seperate the 2 properly, and I was looking for some advice. I have read through the various posts and there seems to be some disagreement on what is best, including the advice I got from the lady at AP itself.

I am having AP install their belly heat coil on the underside of the T3, which I will control with a Herp thermostat to maintain the proper ground temperature. For those of you using this (or a similar) setup, do I also need the round screens put into the top to put overhead heat lights on it? The lady at AP said living in south Florida, whith a usual room temperature of bout 78 degrees, an overhead light was not necessary. She also said putting in the screen(s) on the top and using more overhead heat would potentially suck the humidity out of the T3....

So, which way do I go?? Can I stick solely with the T3 belly heat (with an installed flourescent light for cleaning), or do I need an overhead heat lamp as well? My wife has read some posts that suggest even with the belly heat keeping the temperature where it needs to be, the BP will want some overhead heat to bask in... I just want the optimal setup for the snake...

Thanks for any input.

-BT

First congrats on buying the T3, PLEASE post some pics when it is all setup so we can see it.
I have the T-10, which is quite a bit larger and I have the 8" screen on the cold side of the tank only, for a CHE heater. Humidity isn't a huge problem and when necessary I give the cage a good spray and it balances out again in minutes. Ask AP to send you the plastic cutouts for the hole and if you decide you don't need the extra heat, you can just put the plastic in its place. I need the CHE in Massachusetts, it gets much colder up here, although I don't think Balls need heat to "bask in" from what I've read. I've never seen mine do any basking. Also if the cage gets too hot on the cool side, I put some aluminum foil under half of the CHE to reflect the heat back away from the tank. BE CAREFUL WITH A LAMP OR CHE THOUGH IN THAT SCREEN OPENING. IF IT IS HOT AND TOUCHES THE PLASTIC ON THE SIDES OF THE HOLE, IT WILL MELT IT! Hope this helps, good luck.

[bjthomps]

LOL...don't bother responding here. At the same time I was posting this my wife was at home posting the same question in the cage forum! Sorry.

I would delete my post but I can't figure out how...can only seem to edit it.

-BT

[bjthomps]

Excellent. Thanks for the input!

Will defintely post some pics when we get it all set up!

-BT

[elevatethis]

You will likely not need to holes on top. Just for fun, I did get the holes with mine and I had AP include the inserts so I could cover them, which I did.

I kept my T3's in a room which was regularly from 70-75 degrees, and the belly heat alone maintained optimal temps.

You may have to play with probe placement, which will probably be the most ambiguous part of the T3 setup. Just play with it until you get it right and you're good to go!

[bjthomps]

Thanks Brad!

Since you use the T3, let me ask you....AP says to place the probe on the underneath side of the T3, a little ways from the coil, as opposed to putting the probe inside the enclosure. Is this what you are doing?

-BT

[elevatethis]

When I had mine (i use AP racks now, but the terrestrial cages worked great!) I actually placed the probe on the heat cable right at the point where it comes out of the back of the cage. You'll see when you get yours. That's the place the worked for me. AP is right in saying to attach the probe somewhere outside of the cage. I found that securing the probe somewhere inside the cage was a pain in the butt and I found another way.

You'll need a reliable digital thermometer to do it right. When I attached the probe directly to the heat cable, I ran the heat cable at about 96, as indicated by the thermostat. The other thermometer gave me a reading of 92 inside the cage.

You'll "get it" a little more when you can see the cage in front of you and visualize things a little better. Get back to us then and we'll get you set up right!

[bjthomps]

Excellent!! I really appreciate it. I will post more (and with pictures) once the T3 arrives and I have had a chance to look it over.

Thanks for all the input!!

-BT