Habitat stuff?

[Korclabael]

You have raised some questions.

I can see that...This goes for everyone who left questions.

You are using a thermostat correct? If not this is your first purchase period.

I'm using thermotape, if that's anything near, I couldn't find a stat in my price range but I can get one now. They also work really well.

The second is what are your temps?

there's a gradient of low to mid 80 degrees on the warm side to at least 73 degrees on the cool side.

No body can tell you what you will need for heat unless they have the exact same conditions the tank is in. In other words in the same room. The conditions in your living room or where ever the tank is are not the same as mine or the next persons there are simply too many variables.

The temps (warm, cool, and ambient) are the only things that will tell you if you need a secondary heater or not.

Log hides are not the best they often are too open, do you have two hides or just one?

Has 'poprocks' eaten and does he/she eat regularly?

She eats every week that I feed her, she wont however eat while she shedding which isn't surprising but I had to see.

Fake plants can be bought from dollar store places, avoid any that smell strongly. Vines are a bit harder but exoterra and zoomed (others too these just came to mind) make vine products that use suction cups to hold them in place that is a pet store or on line. Avoid hard closed shapes like skulls with open holes for eyes. If a snake becomes stuck it is quite serious after a meal the stomach is not as compressible and on rare occasions a snake can become trapped and cause them selves harm.

[Korclabael]

I agree with most of this - especially that thermostat. But I do think the 1/2 logs are ok as hides for boas. Boas are not usually as shy as BPs. My question is, why do you want to prevent her from burrowing? Boas, especially young ones, like to burrow and they should be offered that option.

Its not that I want her to not burrow, I want her to feel safe, specially with 7 cats and 7 dogs in my house hold it can be stressful for a little girl. It was just a question, more of if bark or cypress mulch which one was better to use and easier to clean.

She doesn't need any specific lighting. You should know what your temps are - what is the ambient temp in her cage and what is the hotspot? That is the only way we can gauge if you need the additional heat emitter. Most of the time, a heat mat (ON A THERMOSTAT!!) is enough.

[kitedemon]

thermotape? That is a tee shirt transfer product isn't it? No a THERMOSTAT. That controls the heat source, regulating off and on cycles to provide correct temps. It will allow higher wattage element to run safely.

Your temps are low for a red tail. Typically a hot spot of 88-90º is recommended dropping down to 78-80ºF .

[Korclabael]

Its just tape that tells me how warm it currently is its def not a thermostat. My apologies but I didn't know what to call it, so I just use my imagination at the time. Her temps are low because its cold here, which is why I keep the day light on for her, but it gets to hot with the infrared, it pretty much skips to the hundreds after 3 minutes of being on, the daylight manages to keep her around 88 to mid 90s, for now.

I'll look at thermostats ASAP I have a lot of things I plan on buying for her specially new bedding, hers is getting hard to keep soft and is drying up fast, but what do you expect when you live in Colorado, its a very dry state.

And if buying a thermostat is a need to have basis could you guys be so kind as to direct me to ones that you would recommend? That was kinda part of why I started this thread to begin with :].

~Kaala

[kitedemon]

I personally would recommend one of the herpstats from Spyder robotics. (http://spyderrobotics.com/home/products.html) On a budget I'd suggest the intro+ it has the most safety features for the price of any thermostat on the market. It cannot be beaten.

[Korclabael]

PFFF HAAHA oookay I know what I'm saving up for....

[WifeOfSlasher]

For an affordable thermostat hyrdofarms are really nice. They are about $30 on amazon. We have had nothing but great luck with these. There is also a breeder that exclusively uses hydrofarms, or at least he use to. Nice thing about these is they default to off when there is a problem.

[Korclabael]

For an affordable thermostat hyrdofarms are really nice. They are about $30 on amazon. We have had nothing but great luck with these. There is also a breeder that exclusively uses hydrofarms, or at least he use to. Nice thing about these is they default to off when there is a problem.

That would be awesome and around my budget :] You wouldn't mind linking me to some recommended brands if you can? I want to get poprock's an affordable one as soon as I can, but I can't really afford a super nice $100 dollar one atm.

[martin82531]

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

[martin82531]

Its just tape that tells me how warm it currently is its def not a thermostat. My apologies but I didn't know what to call it, so I just use my imagination at the time. Her temps are low because its cold here, which is why I keep the day light on for her, but it gets to hot with the infrared, it pretty much skips to the hundreds after 3 minutes of being on, the daylight manages to keep her around 88 to mid 90s, for now. ~Kaala

What size wattage are you using for your infrared? If need be, put the bulb on a dimmer like this to help control your heat output. Consistent daylight is not good. I like this one because you can use a CHE bulb which puts out zero light, but good for increasing ambient temps. The downfall to using heat lamps is they tend to suck out your humidity.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o05_s01_i01