New to site and BP.. have some questions..

[bcr229]

http://www.amazon.com/R-Zilla-11403-...1471608&sr=1-4 - $22 for a thermostat
http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiT...1471878&sr=1-1 - $17 for a digital IR thermometer so you can measure temperatures on the top of the substrate, which is where your BP lives.

Total is less than $40 shipped to your door, which is much less than a regular visit to the vet, never mind one to treat a burn.

[MsMissy]

As a newbie bp momma, I can tell ya... Listen to these guys... They know their stuff.

I've run across one thing with substrate however, I feel you should weigh in the humidity while picking an appropriate one. Aspen will suck the moisture out of the environment and make humidity control quite difficult. I live in the desert where of course, it's dry as heck and recently did a complete tank changeover in order to combat this problem. Seems to be helping but we shall see.

Quick ? Guys <and i wouldn't do this here but i think it will help the OP as well as he learns> I switched to reptibark, along with doing the foil/tape thing on the top and also covered the sides and back with that black squishy cloth like shelf liner. This morning, ambient humidity is showing 44%, but that is measured about 3 inches off the floor. At floor lvl it is at 73 <and dropping over time since the bark is brand new>. Which reading is more important? And how long can she take that high humidity without scale rot becoming even a remote possibility? My instinct tells me floor lvl as that is where my bouncing baby ball lives but am unsure enough to ask. Oh and that is on the cool side, I'm picking up another acurite with a probe this morning as my dumb arse accidentally grabbed one without the probe and that one will be hot side only. Safe to assume its actually higher on that side.

[BHReptiles]

http://www.amazon.com/R-Zilla-11403-...1471608&sr=1-4 - $22 for a thermostat
http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiT...1471878&sr=1-1 - $17 for a digital IR thermometer so you can measure temperatures on the top of the substrate, which is where your BP lives.

Total is less than $40 shipped to your door, which is much less than a regular visit to the vet, never mind one to treat a burn.

For $7 more dollars, I would get this thermostat instead of a dial rheostat. With the dial ones, you always have to adjust the dial in order to keep proper temps with a fluctuating ambient temp. With this thermostat ( http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...arm+thermostat ), you just have to set the temp (I usually set mine to 89) and it will keep a much better temperature.

As a newbie bp momma, I can tell ya... Listen to these guys... They know their stuff.

I've run across one thing with substrate however, I feel you should weigh in the humidity while picking an appropriate one. Aspen will suck the moisture out of the environment and make humidity control quite difficult. I live in the desert where of course, it's dry as heck and recently did a complete tank changeover in order to combat this problem. Seems to be helping but we shall see.

Quick ? Guys <and i wouldn't do this here but i think it will help the OP as well as he learns> I switched to reptibark, along with doing the foil/tape thing on the top and also covered the sides and back with that black squishy cloth like shelf liner. This morning, ambient humidity is showing 44%, but that is measured about 3 inches off the floor. At floor lvl it is at 73 <and dropping over time since the bark is brand new>. Which reading is more important? And how long can she take that high humidity without scale rot becoming even a remote possibility? My instinct tells me floor lvl as that is where my bouncing baby ball lives but am unsure enough to ask. Oh and that is on the cool side, I'm picking up another acurite with a probe this morning as my dumb arse accidentally grabbed one without the probe and that one will be hot side only. Safe to assume its actually higher on that side.

Take the bottom reading because that's where you're ball python is living. 73 is a little too high for everyday humidity. You just need it to be around 50% unless your ball python is in shed. The humidity will gradually fall so it shouldn't be a problem. Just realize that scale rot can be caused by too much dampness of your substrate. So if you're constantly misting and your substrate remains damp, then you can still get scale rot even if your humidity is on par.

[bcr229]

For $7 more dollars, I would get this thermostat instead of a dial rheostat. With the dial ones, you always have to adjust the dial in order to keep proper temps with a fluctuating ambient temp. With this thermostat ( http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...arm+thermostat ), you just have to set the temp (I usually set mine to 89) and it will keep a much better temperature.

Good point. My house temp is pretty constant (A/C is set to 78 and most likely will be used thru September, sigh...) so that's not a concern. FWIW I really like the VT100's but the OP is concerned about cost...

[twinklestar]

Good point. My house temp is pretty constant (A/C is set to 78 and most likely will be used thru September, sigh...) so that's not a concern. FWIW I really like the VT100's but the OP is concerned about cost...

Its not so much the cost, its more that I have to wait til I get paid wed.. I want to get what I need that is the best quality... I did read the care sheet and it really helped, I will have to read it a few more times to retain ALL the info in it along with getting books, and to answer a question, I have ReptiBark in the bottom..One thing I did read is that I should do a FULL tank clean every 6months or so, got it off the internet, is this true or will it just stress Twinkle out? I also wouldn't mind getting something to cover the back and one or both sides on the tank.. What would be the best thing to use and would I put it on the inside or outside of the tank? I'm thinking the outside just so it wont mess with the atmosphere of the tank.. I really do appreciate all the feedback I'm getting, I really do just want to have the best environment for Twinkle that she can have...

[Kaorte]

Its not so much the cost, its more that I have to wait til I get paid wed.. I want to get what I need that is the best quality... I did read the care sheet and it really helped, I will have to read it a few more times to retain ALL the info in it along with getting books, and to answer a question, I have ReptiBark in the bottom..One thing I did read is that I should do a FULL tank clean every 6months or so, got it off the internet, is this true or will it just stress Twinkle out? I also wouldn't mind getting something to cover the back and one or both sides on the tank.. What would be the best thing to use and would I put it on the inside or outside of the tank? I'm thinking the outside just so it wont mess with the atmosphere of the tank.. I really do appreciate all the feedback I'm getting, I really do just want to have the best environment for Twinkle that she can have...

I would change out all the substrate and wash the entire enclosure and cage furniture a little more often than twice a year... Maybe every other month at the least.

I use foam core board to cover the back and sides of my tanks. you can find it at most craft stores and even at many drug stores.

[BHReptiles]

Its not so much the cost, its more that I have to wait til I get paid wed.. I want to get what I need that is the best quality... I did read the care sheet and it really helped, I will have to read it a few more times to retain ALL the info in it along with getting books, and to answer a question, I have ReptiBark in the bottom..One thing I did read is that I should do a FULL tank clean every 6months or so, got it off the internet, is this true or will it just stress Twinkle out? I also wouldn't mind getting something to cover the back and one or both sides on the tank.. What would be the best thing to use and would I put it on the inside or outside of the tank? I'm thinking the outside just so it wont mess with the atmosphere of the tank.. I really do appreciate all the feedback I'm getting, I really do just want to have the best environment for Twinkle that she can have...

I agree with what Kaorte said. I have one display tank (most of my animals are in racks) and I usually do a full clean out every 6-8 weeks. However, I spot clean when I see that there's been a mess made (it houses a corn snake so that's usually once a week).

As for what to cover, black construction paper, cardbaoard, or even a fancy backdrop work well. They can go on the outside of the tank. For my display tank, I have a forest scene that "blacks out" my corn's cage (not that she needs it...but it's for decoration). I have a BP in quarantine that's REALLY skittish so I have all 4 sides covered in cardboard to give him a little extra security. It seems to be doing the trick.

As for thermostats, if you can afford it, a Herpstat (even the cheapest Herpstat at $100) is well worth it! There's another model called Vivarium Electronics that's also pretty good. Those you can get from Reptile Basics and the cheapest one is $85. However, both those are considered some of the best thermostats you can buy. Although they are pricey, they are awesome! I have a Herpstat 2 and I love mine.

[Willie76]

Let me interject here and simply say, WELCOME! As far as I am concerned, the only silly question is the one you don't ask. We ALL started somewhere so ask as many questions as you need to...you're BP will love you for it ;-)

I can't add much more than what was already offered. I am a little more OCD when it comes to cleaning. I spot clean daily and I tear down/sanitize once a month. Easier with only 7 rather than 20+ animals, but for me it works. Plus the substrate absorbs waste and I really don't like it fermenting for months at a time.

You'll find your niche...

[twinklestar]

Ok so I took some temps of Twinkles tank and on the side with the UTH it ranged from 88-90deg, and on the cool side of the tank it ranged from 82-86deg. overall tank temp is 80.6deg... Humidity has been a steady 55-56%.. All the readings I took were from ground level.. I looked a all the substrate I have, and I have mulched cypress (which is in the tank), dry aspen, and dry coconut fiber (last two came with her)

[FireStorm]

86 is a bit hot for the cool side. 80 is fine.