Hello,

New to the hobby, was looking to get 4 inch flexwatt heat tape with the wire/clip/insulator( from reptilebasics) for a 16qt tub housing a baby cornsnake or ball python ( havent decided). With one face of the flexwatt taped to the tub, will it be safe to leave the tub on carpet or is that a fire hazard?

I am on a tight budget and so far am recycling an old tub, making my own hides, gonna use old newspaper for bedding However some stuff im missing: can you guys give me recommendations w/ price ranges?

- a good inexpensive thermostat w/ probe
- a good inexpensive rheostat ( my house temp ranges from 68-73 F)
-I live in Los Angeles, where can i get affordable mice on an individual basis? i wont want to be keeping mice in the freezer and buying in bulk just doenst seem to make sense with 1 snake in hand

am i missing anything else? thanks for the help in advance!