New here, couple pics of Mary, with questions

[DooLittle]

They are cheap enough, I would buy an appropriate sized one for now. Get the larger later when she is ready.

[Evenstar]

Personally, I'd get the large sized hides. My 44" BP, Ella, is about 1900grams and she barely fits in the large size. If the large is a bit too large for yours, you can stuff it with sphagum moss or crumpled newspaper to make it more comfy for her til she gets a bit bigger.

A thermostat is NOT a thermometer. A thermometer measures temperature. A thermostat (or t-stat) controls the temperature. Your UTH absolutely MUST be operated on a t-stat!!! A zoomed in particular gets very very hot and it will burn your snake. It's not a matter of "if" but of "when".

I have a hydrofarm myself on one rack and this is fine although I agree it's not the best. Herpstats are great, but there are also Helix and I like Vivarium Electronics too. You can get the VE t-stats from Reptile Basics which is where we get the hide boxes from. The VE-100 is pretty reasonably priced at $85 and if you have the means, I highly recommend it over the hydrofarm (although that is absolutely better than nothing!).

[The Serpent Merchant]

Personally, I'd get the large sized hides. My 44" BP, Ella, is about 1900grams and she barely fits in the large size. If the large is a bit too large for yours, you can stuff it with sphagum moss or crumpled newspaper to make it more comfy for her til she gets a bit bigger.

A thermostat is NOT a thermometer. A thermometer measures temperature. A thermostat (or t-stat) controls the temperature. Your UTH absolutely MUST be operated on a t-stat!!! A zoomed in particular get very very hot and it will burn your snake. It's not a matter of "if" but of "when".

I have a hydrofarm myself on one rack and this is fine although I agree it's not the best. Herpstats are great, but there are also Helix and I like Vivarium Electronics too. You can get the VE t-stats from Reptile Basics which is where we get the hide boxes from. The VE-100 is pretty reasonably priced at $85 and if you have the means, I highly recommend it over the hydrofarm (although that is absolutely better than nothing!).

not to get off topic but the VE-100's really aren't any better than the hydrofarms, both are on/off style thermostats with a 2 degree swing. Even the VE-200 isn't as good as a basic herpstat as it only has pulse control and not dimming capabilities

[satomi325]

I use a hydrofarm. It's been working great with no problems. But I'll be upgrading to a herpstat soon. I was on a tight budget when I first started so the hydrofarm was adequate at the time.

[DooLittle]

We run herpstat as well.

[Emily Hubbard]

Your humidity and shed issues can be solved with a humid hide. Buy a tupperware that your snake will fit in snuggly, go to any pet store and buy some sphagnum moss, put the moss in the tupperware and mist it so it is moist, not sopping. Place it in your viv on the warm side and just keep it moist for whenever the snake wants it. If the tupperware is clear, you can line it with a paper towel before putting the moss in so it is more secure. Ball pythons don't like to be seen in their hides.

It is really astounding to me how snakes KNOW when they need more humidity and they will immediately find a humid hide when they need it. My girl is in hers right now, which signals to me a shed is coming on and she needs to be left a lone.

I also mist my tank every few days. Just buy a 99 cent spray bottle in the beauty department at Target and before you mist each time, fill it with warm water. Works wonders.

[HogHead]

just got home from wal-mart and I also ordered 2 med hides. Ordering thermostat for my UTH from amazon now.... cant afford the $99 one today.

[HogHead]

also thanks everyone for all of the help you all have been with this thread!

[The Serpent Merchant]

alright, things are looking better. just make sure that the hot side is between 88 & 92 degrees and the cool side is between 78 & 82 degrees. No part of the tank should ever be below 75 degrees, or above 95 degrees. It may be bad for humidity (but unless he is shedding it isn't as important right now) I would unplug the Heat Pad, and turn on the heat bulbs. (If you can get away with it, the red bulb is better to run... BP's don't rally like white light (at least not 24/7)

[HogHead]

alright, things are looking better. just make sure that the hot side is between 88 & 92 degrees and the cool side is between 78 & 82 degrees. No part of the tank should ever be below 75 degrees, or above 95 degrees. It may be bad for humidity (but unless he is shedding it isn't as important right now) I would unplug the Heat Pad, and turn on the heat bulbs. (If you can get away with it, the red bulb is better to run... BP's don't rally like white light (at least not 24/7)

Alright, I normally run the white light during the day and the red light at night. I just ordered the thermostat on amazon, Estimated delivery: Mar. 1, 2012. I turned the heat up a little in my house to keep it warmer in her tank also. Just gonna have to walk around half naked and sleep with my fan on if its 75 in my house.