New setup

[NewParadigms]

ON/OFF thermos can be fine for a ceramic heater or heating pad, but not for lights. I've also heard that the continuous on and off (besides being annoying as hell) will also cause premature failure of the light filament.

[AMBiEN22]

Yeah i figured the same thing so i am going with a rheostat. I feel confident that if i can keep ambient temps from 88-92 range. That is perfect my ranco thermostat will be coming and that will keep his belly temp at a perfect i feel like i am going to set it for 90~92 range. Still got to grab another hide squirt bottle and tiny little laser pointer like battery for my thermometer. Plus the essentials to wire the ranco. Thinking I'll have my snake by the end of this week.

[kitedemon]

Sounds like things are progressing, I think it might be a typo but in case it is not, the ambient temps should be high 70s low 80s most say 80 is the target. The hot spot at about 90ºF there isn't much need for higher you can tweak the temps based on the snake, some like it warm some not so much. The zilla T-stat you have is ok I have one too but I only use it to back up the herpstat, it is much better than the 500r. Personally I like proportional T-stats like the herpstat I feel like I am in control with them, personal opinion.

BTW there is no problem with incandescent bulbs turning on and off a lot. We have 26 photo enlargers at work they are turned on and off every few seconds all the time (24 hours a day) the bulbs lasts for years. Not that I think it is a good idea to place a bulb on a t-stat however, just FYI.

You'll need a second hide and I'd suggest some cover like plants or something to make that big open space seem smaller snakes like to feel like they are watching you not you watching them.
Alex

[Egapal]

Down the road I would really suggest getting a plastic enclosure.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/
http://www.animalplastics.com/
http://www.boaphileplastics.com/
http://www.visionproducts.us/htm7/cages.html
http://www.showcasecages.com/

I am sure I am missing a few vendors. With a front opening plastic enclosure you get better insulation, keeping humidity is easier, they are front opening which makes them easier to clean and get at your snake. Many of them can be locked, giving you that piece of mind. I housed my BP in a 10 gallon and moved to a 3'x2' Showcase cage as soon as he out grew it. I cluttered up the cage with a baked piece of wood and some artificial vines.

[AMBiEN22]

I plan too once she (i plan on getting a female) outgrows this tank. I might even go tub systems... But who knows time will tell =). I'm leading towards tubs as they are cheap hold humidity well and i can make a custom rack which would be a really fun project! =) The premade cages i have heard good things about them and I've heard horror stories from them.

Two downsides that i hear aquariums and custom cages share are that they tend to be annoying to clean. As a tub you can just plop it in the bath tub and scrub away if need be!

I know though that pre-made and and tubs both hold humidity great! Although tubs can be an eye sore... you know what the well being of the snake comes first to me if i want to see my snake i'll pop off the lid =P. This enclosure is stored in my room so its not like i need a 360 visual to show it off to anyone. =).

I must say though the pre-made cages are affective and look nice

[AMBiEN22]

http://www.showcasecages.com/

I housed my BP in a 10 gallon and moved to a 3'x2' Showcase cage as soon as he out grew it. I cluttered up the cage with a baked piece of wood and some artificial vines.

OMG THESE CAGES ARE GORGEOUS LOL.

I hope they are at the reptile expo that is coming my way April 3rd. These cages are modern classy and look affective lol.

[AMBiEN22]

So this is the weather we have to deal with up in NH =). Took this video when i was leaving to go to my girlfriends house thought you guys would like to see it!

Tons of turkeys!!

[Egapal]

OMG THESE CAGES ARE GORGEOUS LOL.

I hope they are at the reptile expo that is coming my way April 3rd. These cages are modern classy and look affective lol.

I did a pretty complete review of these cages, I have two, but it didn't get moved over when the forum changed. If you take a look at my pictures you will see some of the pics from the review. Tubs are definitely easy to clean and you don't feel bad putting an extra hole or two in a tub to tweak your husbandry. If like me you have to make the enclosures attractive to satisfy your partner, a plastic cage is a great way to showcase your animal without dealing with all the cons of an aquarium. I think that my showcase cages are pretty easy to clean, way better than an aquarium. I just took a few pics of my setup for you to look at. Let me know if you have any questions about the showcase cages. https://picasaweb.google.com/craig.l...eat=directlink

[AMBiEN22]

I love they way they look and they seem pretty efficient from what i have been reading. Do you use UTH with your setups? CHE? Bulbs? or radiant heat panels?

[Egapal]

I love they way they look and they seem pretty efficient from what i have been reading. Do you use UTH with your setups? CHE? Bulbs? or radiant heat panels?

I cover the mesh where a heating lamp would go to cut down on ventilation, humidity is pretty low in my house. I use a UTH. The area specifically designed for a UTH is kinda useless. It has a raised area to accommodated a pretty think UTH where as the ones I use are no thicker than a few sheets of paper. I put a piece of foam core board under the UTH to keep it in contact with the bottom of the cage.