My first setup

[maskedburito]

Sounds good. I have a similar setup for my two snakes. Only thing I might recommend is getting a HerpStat 2 in case you end up adding a UTH (like I did) or you get a second snake (also like I did ).

Here's mine for reference:

This setup is awesome! If I got something compact and easy like this I could get more snakes..... Whats it called?

[Lady mkrj58]

Just dropping by to see were progress is headed today, Im waiting for the Fed Ex to show up meanwhile Im do silly house chores, Vape break over and back to those chores. I check back later.

Sent from my SGH-T999

[Mstuppiello921]

Hey thanks for checking in!

I contacted animal plastics my enclosure got delayed so I won't be receiving it until Nov. 28th thats ok though it gives me more time to get my ducks in a row
Contacted the breeder of my girl and got the temps she is currently living in to mimic in her new cage. 90 high spot 82 low spot.
Tonight I am going to be moving around some stuff in my room to make room for the stand I am getting/building.

I do have a question though? Based on the pic of my girl what size reptile basic hides should I be getting- small or medium??

[Mstuppiello921]

Correct me if Im wrong Treaux but maskedburito I believe that is an animal plastics t8 with sliding glass doors, a lock, and divided in the middle. It also looks like blue led lights??

[treaux]

Yep, mine is a T8 with divider. LED lights are actually multicolor modular strips that you can find on Amazon and are glued onto the top. They came with an adhesive strip, but my little dude kept pulling them down, so I used loctite powergrab to really glue them in place..

I'm not sure on the reptile basic hides, but I have the Exo Terra Reptile Cave in mediums that are also on Amazon for $4 a piece and they work great. Cozy enough for the snakes to be happy, but with some room for them to grow into.

If you don't want to wait for your snake, just get a sterilite tub and a heat pad (an 11x6 strip of flexwatt from my local reptile shop costs like $5) and you can make a nice tub setup while you wait for your T8. That's what I did and it cost me under $20.



My makeshift setup while waiting to find a T8. I finally replaced the camera box with an Exo Terra hide.

[Mstuppiello921]

You know I did not even think of this for some reason! What a great idea, Im traveling all over the place until the weekend, but it looks like I got some shopping to do and possibly a pick up over the weekend!!!

[Mstuppiello921]

Another question for you guys. I have been battling with what substrate to use between cypress mulch and unprinted newspaper. I really love the natural look (as it is going to be display tank), but Im worried about the possibility of mites. Even though I do love the look, I care more about the well being of my baby then the looks. Are mites a really common problem with mulch or is there a way I can make sure I never have them in there or should I just go with unprinted news paper. Thanks in advance!!

[Ax01]

Another question for you guys. I have been battling with what substrate to use between cypress mulch and unprinted newspaper. I really love the natural look (as it is going to be display tank), but Im worried about the possibility of mites. Even though I do love the look, I care more about the well being of my baby then the looks. Are mites a really common problem with mulch or is there a way I can make sure I never have them in there or should I just go with unprinted news paper. Thanks in advance!!

wood mites happen. it's kinda like your dog getting fleas. but they don't materialize out of nowhere. they come from other reptiles. for example, a store that has an infestation and it got into the bags of substrate they sell. or it came from your handling of another snake or reptile and you transfer it to your own BP or collection. that's why quarantine for a new animal is important.

as for minimizing the risk of mites in substrate, some folks freeze it before use. some bake it on low temps in the oven. some do both to help kill mites that might be hiding in the substrate. and if u really want, u could use Provent-A-Mite now and then in your BP enclosure for extra measure.

[Mstuppiello921]

I see what your saying, thanks for the knowledge. May I ask what you use personally Ax01??

[Ax01]

I see what your saying, thanks for the knowledge. May I ask what you use personally Ax01??

i put down a layer of chipped/shaved Aspen and then put some shredded aspen on top. i place moss in here and there. the snakes will do their own mixing as they scoot about the enclosure.

this combo works well for me and my snakes. i got some that like to burrow so it adds a little to their comfort i hope. i don't have a huge collection and mist almost daily. it holds moisture and gives me a chance to peep my snakes.

alot of folks prefer cypress mulch for holding better moisture but i don't like the size of their individual chunks of wood. the same can be said for Eco-Earth on holding moisture but i find the pieces to be too small. and then some folks use paper (paper towels, newspaper, etc.) for it's ease of cleaning.

anyway that's what i use, do and think. your mileage may vary.

-- Ax