More Questions!

[Crowfingers]

[QUOTE=Reptimom;2440822]

1. Can I wait on a scale until after I have the snake? Or do I really need it right away? Get one when you get your snake, so you can get a weight right at the start. Or if you see one on sale, grab it now
2. What UTH would you guys suggest for a 20gal tank? Its supposed to be a smidge smaller than half of the tank correct? I don't use these, but I've heard they should cover 1/4 - 1/3 the length of the tank. If I'm wrong, someone will will correct me
3. Is this a good thermostat for starters? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018CLYNG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1B0GG9TLQL321&coliid=I1GQEWB29ZVTO 4 That is the thermostat I use, but I use it with a CHE. I will say it took some trial and error, the temp dial on the device is not that accurate. I used white paint and marked the spot that keeps my hot hide at 90*F. If room temp really drops (like it did over the winter) I had to bump it up and then check on it until the temp stabilized. Also, no matter where you set it, it has a 2-3 degree range; i.e. it turns off between 90 and 91 then when the hide cools to 88-89 it turns back on. This is fine for a CHE, but I don't know how that will effect a UTH. Mine really only uses the hot hide right after eating.
4. Where is the best place to get rats, online or at a show? And what is a good starter amount? I used to use Big Cheese Rodents (their rats come in 15-25 packs depending on size), but the last shipment I got was a little bigger than advertised and my snake was not quite big enough for them; and more importantly a few I threw out, they thawed weird (the abdomens were squishy and bloated) and smelled wrong. So I found perfectprey.com and called them (they ship pretty much any quantity you want) and requested a specific size and they actually were able to help me out. Since they took the time to pick out 8 rats in a specific size range for me, I'll probably do my ordering from them from now on.

QUOTE]