55 gal tank *almost* ready - what am I missing?

[bman123]

Are you buying a adult?

[uwanaknome]

Get a dimmer switch from home depo to regulate the temp of the UTH. I also got a temp gauge from there and put the sensor on the UTH so you know the exact temp of the UTH. You dont want to burn your BP... The temp gage I got shows humidity too.

Personally I dont use lamps because it drys out the air in the tank, and dry air will make it tough for your BP to shed. I use 2 under tank heaters and have two separate temp gauges to monitor the heat. When the temp inside my house goes up I will see him move from one side of the tank to the other because he gets too hot. I never let the hot side exceed 95 and the cold side below 70. I am usually at 80 cold side and 90 hot side. I have a hide on each side of the tank so he can be comfortable and hidden no matter what temp he prefers.

[loonunit]

Get a dimmer switch from home depo to regulate the temp of the UTH. I also got a temp gauge from there and put the sensor on the UTH so you know the exact temp of the UTH. You dont want to burn your BP... The temp gage I got shows humidity too.

I tend to use EITHER a lamp, OR a UTH. I'm moving towards all UTHs because of the humidity issues, (and because I'm tired of buying new bulbs.)

For checking the UTH temps, I strongly recommend investing in an IR point-and-click handheld thermometer. stuff it down under the substrate and get the temperature right up against the glass--since odds are your bp with burrow down there to get as close to the heat as possible anyway.

The Home Depot table-top dimming switches are really great, and cheap. Looking in the lighting section, not the electrical section for them. You'll have to experiment to get the right setting.

And it's actually okay if your night time and daytime warm-side temps fluctuate a little. They would in nature, too--just make sure they're always within the safe range. (ie. never below 80F and never above 100F. 90-95 is preferred, of course.)

[loonunit]

Be aware: really young ball pythons sometimes get freaked by large open spaces. As they get larger and older and calmer, they'll appreciate the 55 gallons, but between the extra space and the GLASS, you may see some signs of stress. If this happens, add extra hides (I like cardboard tubes--no snake can resist a cardboard tube!), and extra clutter (plastic plants, climbing sticks). If it's still a problem crumple up some paper and just fill the bottom 6" with it.

And then just feed the snake until it goes to sleep. After 6 months of food coma, it'll feel like having some exercise.

[metzler01]

Are you buying a adult?

I am going to a well known pet store that works with fish and reptiles. They get most of their reptiles from breeders in the area.

I will be getting a young one.