Son getting ball python. Cage setup help please

[BuckeyeBalls]

Sounds like a plan!

Don't be sorry, this is a forum for learning and you (and others) have done just that If you have any other questions, feel free to ask away. There is always someone here to answer your questions.

Believe me, most of us are just glad that you are sorting this out before you get the animal. Most people (including myself) get their first ball python as an impulse buy and end up getting a lot of useless equipment that they then need to replace. Doing the research before hand saves you time and money!

Everyone is happy! Hooray!

lol yea i want to buy a better UTH the one that on there now is very small.

I think its this one

http://www.petco.com/product/6353/Zo...k-Heaters.aspx

Small
For 10-20 gallon Terrariums
8 Watts

its on a 29 gallon tank

So i will pick on a better one

Medium
For 30-40 gallon Terrariums
16 Watts

Or maybe they will have one cheap at the show i could maybe get. A bigger one is better correct since the one is kinda small for the tank atm

Also any tips on buying the snake?

Like what to look for/ask?

There are a lot of breeders there to choose from so i have alot of options.

[Kaorte]

Yeah, you want a UTH that covers about 1/3 of the floor space.

If you get a new one, just stick it on the other side of the tank and make that your hot-side, that way you don't have to bother ripping off the other one.

[BuckeyeBalls]

Yeah, you want a UTH that covers about 1/3 of the floor space.

If you get a new one, just stick it on the other side of the tank and make that your hot-side, that way you don't have to bother ripping off the other one.

Hmm so would i still use the other one? Cuz the tstat only controls one (or 2 depending on what 1?)

But i wouldnt want to have both at like 92 deg would i?

So would i use one and just leave the other sitting there or use both and keep em at same temp

[BuckeyeBalls]

Also everyone got thanked for their such helpful post's

Went through all 10 pages and thanked every helpful post

You guys are the reason my sons new bp will enjoy his/her new home

[dembonez]

Also everyone got thanked for their such helpful post's

Went through all 10 pages and thanked every helpful post

You guys are the reason my sons new bp will enjoy his/her new home

[Vypyrz]

WOW! 10 pages of posts in two days on a tank set-up. But it's all good.

Here's a few things for consideration that I didn't notice mentioned yet.
In addition to a bigger UTH, you can get this stuff from Target or Wal-Mart called Foam Core Board or something like that. It's usually in the school supplies section near the poster board, and it looks something like a cross between styrofoam and cardboard and comes in different colors, or, you can use regular cardboard or styrofoam if you choose. Cut it and tape it to the ends and back side of the tank. This will help insulate the tank some and help keep some of the heat in.
Depending on what type of room the tank is in, you can opt to use a space heater to keep the ambient temp of the room itself at around 80F.

Regarding rheostats and dimmers: I got my first snake and set-up in the winter, and initially was running the UTH on a rheostat and the heat lamp on a timer to cycle it on and off and this was working ok. However, once the weather started warming up, I found it harder and harder to keep the UTH temp where I needed it, and it finally got to the point where just turning the rheostat on at the lowest setting was letting the UTH run at about 96F, and it was only Spring. That was when I finally invested in a Ranco and never looked back. So keep in mind that as you run your house AC/Heat, and weather is also going to affect your temps.

As you have found, doing a new set-up takes alot of tweaking to finally get everything dialed in right, but it feels good once you get it.

Have fun picking out your new pet...

[I<3Dreamsicles]

Also any tips on buying the snake?

Like what to look for/ask?

There are a lot of breeders there to choose from so i have alot of options.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=healthy+ball+python

First result.

Ask what size mouse they are feeding (so you can buy that size), if its live or frozen thawed.

Like I said I recommend BA Reptiles.

[BuckeyeBalls]

WOW! 10 pages of posts in two days on a tank set-up. But it's all good.

Lol sorry I just want everything to be perfect so I don’t mess up and loose the snake
And if I have anymore heat problems I will keep the foam coreboard idea in mind.

And my room temp is like 75 deg itself.
Yea I know the AC/Heat will affect the temps. Imma get a tstat for my UTH. Later I may get a better tstat something to control the UTH temp and another heating source if need be.
Yea I see it takes a lot to get it just right. I want it just right BEFORE I even get the snake so theres no worries.
And I<3Dreamsicles funny thing I was looking at that same link last night.
Also im getting one that’s on f/t wife wont allot live ones :/
And yea I will be asking the size they feed it.
Also I will be trying to get it from BA Reptiles seeing as you and 2 others have reccomended it so far.

[Vypyrz]

Lol sorry I just want everything to be perfect so I don’t mess up and loose the snake
.

I think it's great that you are putting the time and effort into the set-up beforehand. I almost guarantee that within the next 2 weeks somebody is going to come in with alot of questions or problems with their set-up, and you will be the one answering some the questions because you will have just went through it...

[BuckeyeBalls]

I think it's great that you are putting the time and effort into the set-up beforehand. I almost guarantee that within the next 2 weeks somebody is going to come in with alot of questions or problems with their set-up, and you will be the one answering some the questions because you will have just went through it...

Hey read my other thread im testing a new set up. Sorta