My First Ball Python

[Shute47]

Hey guys,

So I've been researching Balls for about 4 months now and I've decided I'm ready for the 30 year commitment to this awesome animal. I've had frogs before when I was a kid, but that's the closest thing to a reptile I've had experience with.

I plan on purchasing a 2 year old pastel at my local petsmart. So far I've picked out a 40 gal. Terrarium for him by exoterra, 2 hides, day and night bulbs (in a dual housing placed in the center put on a timer to switch automatically), a heat pad under the warm side hide, water dish on cool side with the other hide.

Here are my main questions
1. I like the idea of the zoo med fogger and the controller to control automatically (plus a foggy cage is pretty cool)
http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/Se...&Search.y=-356

2. Heat pads I'm nervous about size and brand

3. Temp and humidity Gauges on one side or on hot and cold side?

4. Any other suggestions, am I missing something, and tips

Thank you for any inpu

[frostysBP]

You need a thermostat for the uth...and it should cover 1/3 of the enclosure..you dont really need day and night bulbs and I would run a CHE over the bulbs on a dimmer switch....you will only need the fogger if you cant keep humidity in the proper range....dont buy the cheap dial type gauges...go to Wal-Mart and get the acurite digital with a prob....they are cheap and give you hot and cold side temps and humidity....get the cage setup and dialed in BEFORE you get the snake that way there is less stress for the animal.


Sent from my A521L using Tapatalk

[Albert Clark]

Sounds great, but yes, I would put the thermostat at the top of my list over everything else. Forget the Zoomed uth and go with the reptile basics "ultratherm" bc its much safer and the heating delivery mechanism in the ultratherm is more efficient. Also forget the bulbs and go with the che (ceramic heat emitter). Just imho. Final decision is up to you. Haha.

[Yodawagon]

Get the best thermostat you can afford. Expect to pay 100+, but it's worth it. Herpstat is a popular one. Ultratherms uth are nice. They come pre assembled , and don't get crazy hot.

[Shute47]

You need a thermostat for the uth...and it should cover 1/3 of the enclosure..you dont really need day and night bulbs and I would run a CHE over the bulbs on a dimmer switch....you will only need the fogger if you cant keep humidity in the proper range....dont buy the cheap dial type gauges...go to Wal-Mart and get the acurite digital with a prob....they are cheap and give you hot and cold side temps and humidity....get the cage setup and dialed in BEFORE you get the snake that way there is less stress for the animal.


Sent from my A521L using Tapatalk

I was planning on the cage being set up at least a week before I get the snake just to make sure the humidity stays regulated and finding the best spot for it. The only think I liked about the zoo med is that it could regulate the humidity for me if I don't come home for a night won't have to worry to much about my snake being uncomfortable over night. I'm not to familiar with the CHEs can you elaborate please

[frostysBP]

Ceramic heat emitter.....like a light bulb but only put out heat no light. They cost a little more but last a long time I had one running for 5 years straight. They also use less energy.

Sent from my A521L using Tapatalk