Crash Course

[oopslala]

I'm getting a ball python sometime in the near future, and it will be my first snake. i've been reading of these forums in the last couple days with most of my free time. So yes, I have read the caresheet multiple times.

I have a 29gallon old fish tank and will be getting the screen top/clamps etc. That's about all that i know for sure I'll be getting 100%. I know that I'll need the heaters/water bowl and all of that stuff. I'm just wondering what some of you have for your setup, so I can get an idea of what I should do an buy.

If you don't mind, when you list your setup can you tell me what devices you use as well (meaning heating pad brand, thermostat brand etc.). This will help me a lot because I'm sure there's the good and the bad like there is with everything else in the world.

Again I've read quite a lot so I have the generally idea, I'm just looking for exactly what you have and why it's good for the setup up.

Thanks

[Eric Alan]

Have you also read the glass aquarium set-up guide? If not, check out the link below in my signature. It should give you some excellent direction as far as what supplies you're going to be needing.

[ajmreptiles]

I don't have any pictures to offer you as I haven't used a terrarium in quite some time, but as far as I had mine set up when I did I can describe.
I had a 30g tank with the heat lamp on the same side as the heat pad with the heat pad hooked up to a thermostat set to 92. my heat lamp had a 50w infrared bulb in it so I didn't have to worry about night and day bulbs and just ran that 24 7. I've always used cypress mulch for bedding as it holds moisture well and doesn't mold as much. I had a hide on each side of the tank, the water dish in the center to help create humidity, a log and some fake foliage to create scenery and to help with stress reduction. If your snake is a hatchling you will want to heavily clutter up the tank. tin foil on the screen in the areas not taken up by the lamp or a damp towel will also help you retain humidity in your tank. Hope that helps

[The Golem]

Dual dome light w white and red bulbs on timers. They're both controlled by lamp dimmers and usually on the lowest setting, to simulate day and night. When my place gets cold I turn the red light up to add more warmth.

VE-300 thermostat for UTH. I have it set to drop the temp from 90 to 85 at night, again to give the effect of night time to the snake. I think it's effective because he generally waits until the temp starts dropping before coming out of warm hide.

Accurite digital thermometer/hygrometer on right (cool) side of tank. I have a cheaper thermometer on the warm side because the VE-300 is very steady, and I also have a digital laser thermometer to check temp on the warm side, the hide - and the f/t rats.

There's a vinyl backdrop on 3 sides of the tank, and Reflectix bubble wrap on top to keep in heat and humidity.

Inside the tank, Coco Husk substrate, 2 hides, some cork flats against the glass so he can climb up on or crawl under; some fake plastic vines for more cover in the corners; a water bowl, a flat piece of slate for a different texture (he often lays his head on it). And I have another water bowl to put in during shed to increase humidity. Also have sphagnum moss on hand if I want to increase humidity more.

Other items on hand: electronic scale (about $20 at Kitchen Stuff Plus), Healthy Habitat cleaner, vinyl gloves, a tub with holes drilled in lid, and other decor I swap in and out to provide some variety to his environment.

Having typed all this up...I hope Mr Burrows appreciates all I do (and spend) for him! LOL.

[oopslala]

I only post my next question on here and hope for a response here so I can stop spamming the forums with posts

I'm preparing to order everything needed for my terrarium before I get my snake. The only hiccup I've found for ordering is temp guns, all of the decently low priced ones are saying "will be within 10 degrees" which isn't a big deal for them but with us I feel that is quite a big deal?

With that being said, what temp guns do all of you use?

[MarkS]

With that being said, what temp guns do all of you use?

This is the one I use. Click here -> PE-2

[oopslala]

This is the one I use. Click here -> PE-2

I'm trying to keep everything I buy on Amazon so I can get free shipping on it all, and that temp gun doesn't appear to be on there sadly. Do you have any others you've used in the past or know are good you'd recommend?

[C2tcardin]

This is my temp gun and it works fine.
http://www.amazon.com/TOMTOP-Digital...emperature+gun

[MarkS]

I'm trying to keep everything I buy on Amazon so I can get free shipping on it all, and that temp gun doesn't appear to be on there sadly. Do you have any others you've used in the past or know are good you'd recommend?

Actually it is on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Tempgun-com-PE...=pe-2+temp+gun