Questions!

[acer]

Hey guys, I have some questions... here is my setup:

I bought my python a couple days ago, she's a female albino about a year old. I thought I had her fairly set up, but after reading through these forums I realize I am not really anywhere close. I have a 30 gal tank with a UTH on one side (no rheostat) and a 150W basking bulb above (mounted a couple inches above the cage so it's not heating the mesh up) again with no rheostat. They are both mounted on the same side.

As of today, she only has one hide which is now obviously too large (could fit 3 or 4 of her). The only thermometer I have is a crappy stick-on temperature gauge that I got today because I was scared I was cooking my snake... no store in town has the thermo/hygrometer digital gauge. They do have the seperate thermometer/hygrometer combo so I'm going to buy two of those for each side tomorrow.

I'll be buying a second UTH tomorrow (a small one) for her cool side, and a rheostat that's able to control both of the UTH's. I'll also be getting a ceramic heat bulb as well as two more lamps with a nighttime/day time bulb in each. I'll be running them on a timer that will give her 12 hours of light and 12 hours of night.

I've been running the bulb during the day and turning the UTH on during the night, but the UTH doesn't have a rheostat, so will it burn my snake? She has about an inch and a half of substrate... maybe less where her UTH is because she's packed it down. She seems to like it over there because during the day because she lies there constantly. I've been trying to keep it humid by misting the cage/her a couple times a day, but until tomorrow I won't have any way of measuring the humidity level.

She hasn't even used her hide (or not that I've seen, she might use it at night) is that because it's too large?

I have no repti-pad to put over my UTH/stick the thermometer probes in, is there a substitute material I can use instead?

Since I got her I've been handling her lots because they told me to (the person that owned her before me never handled her so they said she was skittish) and she's been great. She curls around my wrist and wrests her head and the top of my hand and seems to be content with being walked around. I know everyone suggests giving them a week to acclimate because she'll not want to eat but I fed her yesterday and she gobbled the mouse up real quick. Is this because she's older?

I'll also be doing up a foil cover for the mesh top and some border for the outside of her glass enclosure.

I'd really appreciate any answers or advice you guys may have for me... I bought her with a setup that the guy at the store said would be fine but I realize now it's not. Sorry for the long post, I just wanted to give you as much info as I could. I want to educate myself and make her as comfortable as possible.

Thanks!
Jordan

[Skittles1101]

I suggest ditching any lights unless they are completely necessary. You will need a thermostat for the UTH (both of them, since you are getting a smaller one as well). Rheostats work for some people, but IMO they are not worth the money when they sell thermostats like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...1647482&sr=8-1
To answer your question about burning, yes a UTH not regulated by a thermostat can burn your snake, so the sooner you fix that the better.

I suggest getting two small hides. You can make one for now since she is probably stressed out not having any hide other than the one you said she doesn't even use. You can use anything from a tissue box to an empty butter container, just make sure you remove any sharp edges.

Some people need lamps or ceramic heat emitters (CHE) to maintain ambient temp, I can guarantee your tank is getting far too hot with the 150W bulb. You can find a cheap $10 lamp dimmer from home depot, plug it into any bulb you use to lower the intensity. Just be aware that they suck humidity, do you will most likely need to mist or provide a humid hide.

Home Depot also carries and indoor/outdoor thermometer by Acurite, a lot of people use them. Just make sure it's the indoor/outdoor one. The unit goes on the cool side and the probe goes on the hot side, it reads cold/hot side temps and humidity in one unit.
http://www.amazon.com/Chaney-Instrum...1647711&sr=1-1

I also wanted to add that unless your snake is staying in a pitch black room, the lights are not necessary for the day/night cycle, since the sun generally comes in through the windows
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

[llovelace]

Welcome to BP.net Give me a bit to write up your answer

[llovelace]

Please read the caresheet offered here, it's pretty much self explanatory. if you have questions, we'll be happy to answer

[acer]

Thanks for the quick replies! I've been reading the caresheet throughout the day today which is where I've been getting most of this info....

what wattage of CHE would you suggest that will give her the proper amount of heat without sucking out the humidity?

I'm going to go up to Home Depot right now and get a couple of the Acurites and a lamp dimmer so she's not so hot during the day.

[llovelace]

Depending on where you live, a che may not be needed.

[acer]

I live in northern BC.. would you suggest a 100W for a good temp then? I couldn't find anything for digital thermo/hygrometers so I might just go in and buy two sets of seperate ones tomorrow. Local pet stores won't get anymore in for nearly two weeks. I raised the 150W a bit and the thermometer I have sticking on her tank is sitting at 91 degrees. It's closer to the warm side.

Do you think it's safe for me to turn her UTH on tonight? The substrate I'm using shouldn't let her burrow right down to it.

Any suggestions for a repti-pad replacement? The stores in this town aren't stocked very well.