Help me set up my tank?

[gothkenny]

I've been researching BPs for about 3 years now when suddenly my step-dad found out his co-worker was joining the army and had no place for his BP anymore. Which in one way was heaven-sent but also sent me scrambling to go get all the supplies this guy has neglected to buy. So far all he has left me is loads of frozen fuzzies, a water dish, and a nifty hide. I know WHAT to get in my tank but I'm not sure where I can get the stuff CHEAPLY. Right now, after some work with a pair of scissors, I made another hide and water bowl for him to use for free but I'm not sure if I have the money for a thermometer. Is there anything else I NEED, and how do I get it cheap?

Thanks.

[Mochelem]

You can get an accurite thermometer/hygrometer at wal-mart for $10 a thermometer is a must have... Make sure you have 2 iddentical hides if they like the way one is better they will show favor to it. How big is the snake and how big is the enclosure?

[gothkenny]

The snake is 17 inches. I measured him/her a few days ago. And right now they're in a 20 gallon tank. I thought it seemed like a pretty good size and she/he doesn't seem to be stressed at all, is eating well, and is just an angel while I'm holding him. I'm guessing that his tempreture is ABOUT right just because of his behavior but who knows. I'm kind of a newb to this snake thing. D= Other than this guy, the only other herp I own is a WD.

Its only 10 dollars? I have about 15 right now so I'll be sure to go pick one up maybe tomorrow if possible.

[blackcrystal22]

The most important thing is the heating source.
A lamp is not required. Some form of UTH is probably the best type of heating to get.
If you do get a UTH (under tank heater) you have options, flexwatt is cheaper because it's only about 5 dollars for the clip set and the flexwatt itself. However, the tape + digital thermostat is going to probably top 50 dollars.
What did he leave you with for heating so we can work with that?

[gothkenny]

I don't have an UTH at the moment but I'm looking into it. Right now we have a lamp which from what I've read is fine. Is this correct? The only problem is that I think the tempreture is dropping too much at night. I'm not completely sure about this but its just one of my worries.

[Mochelem]

Thats a big reason you need a thermometer, your going to need to save up and get a thermostat, you can get one prewired for 79.99 and a non wired on ebay for $50 with shipping.... If you switch the bulb in the lamp to a infa red or a ceramic heat emmiter it might be fine for now.... I like UTH's though... you are going to need a thermostat asap though

[blackcrystal22]

I don't have an UTH at the moment but I'm looking into it. Right now we have a lamp which from what I've read is fine. Is this correct? The only problem is that I think the tempreture is dropping too much at night. I'm not completely sure about this but its just one of my worries.

You will probably need more than a lamp.
You need to have a cool side on one end and a warm side on the other end. The cool side should have one hide, the water bowl, and temperatures fluctuating between 84-89F. The warm side should be about 90-95F with another hide with a UTH underneath it. Since you have a glass cage, and it is on display, I'm sure he left behind plants and stuff that you can use to decorate.

The problem with the UTH is that most conventional ones will get too hot. Some won't. If you do get one that's too hot (I'm sure someone on here may know which ones are cooler or hotter) then you have to purchase a rheostat so as not to burn your reptile.

Your UTH size should be about 1/4-1/3 approx. covering the bottom of the tank and on the warm side.
Zoomed ones are usually a bit more expensive and I think they need rheostats.. I've used Exo-Terra thin heaters and they've never gotten too hot to need a rheostat.

For now you might want to keep the light on at night or it could get wayy to cold for your snake!

One last thing, do NOT invest in ANYTHING like a heated rock, heated cave, ext. These things are very dangerous to any reptile! Even if used with a rheostat the heat is too minimally spread and can burn your snake.

:]

[Mochelem]

Zoomed heat mats are very hot!!! Ultratherm are the best and they dont cost much check here http://reptilebasics.com/Ultratherm-...p-1-c-273.html

The only others I have used are cobra heat mats and they are cooler than the zoomeds also...

[gothkenny]

I've been looking at UTHs on eBay but haven't found one of the right size. And no, he didn't leave behind any plants. >_> This guy was kind of a moron. I mean, my BP is now super agressive even if you touch the base of his head because he would poke it constantly. It bit him all the time and he hasn't even made a move to seem like he was even the tiniest bit uncomfortable. Next time I see this dude I'm pretty convinced that I'm going to shoot him. =)

I'll go look up the Exo-Terra ones and see what I find. I really want to keep my snake in perfect health because as I become more knowledgable, I might consider breeding. And anyway, he's my pet. I owe it to him to be healthy because he can't take care of himself.

Yeah, I thought about that but since my head is like a foot away from him that option kinda went away... Heh...

Definatly not! The same stupid jerk gave us a heated rock too. I just about fainted. ><'

[gothkenny]

Zoomed heat mats are very hot!!! Ultratherm are the best and they dont cost much check here http://reptilebasics.com/Ultratherm-...p-1-c-273.html

The only others I have used are cobra heat mats and they are cooler than the zoomeds also...

I checked out that website but I wasn't sure what size I should get if I have a 20 gallon. Shouldn't I get one way smaller than those?

I'll go check out Cobra Heat Mats though.