My husbandry SUCKS

[Maggie Louise]

Okay guys. I fully anticipate a good bashing upon posting this thread. But I need some help/reassurance (I'm flipping all the way out). I got my first BP on nov 30th. He's a pewter ball, six months old today. He's incredibly sweet and docile, an excellent eater, and overall the best little guy in the world - great with handling/bonding, but he doesn't like or trust anyone outside of myself yet. I digress..

before getting Bix I did what felt like a million hours of research. I pulled info from a bunch of different trustable sources and ironed out what I believe to be the most reliable information. I made charts, a care guide, and an info sheet for others to read before engaging with him. I am a helicopter mom. And I am officially losing my poop.

Choosing to own a pet is a privilege, and it's the responsibility of the owner to provide the highest quality of care possible. Bottom line, I know what needs to be done, and I'm trying. So please be gentle.

Onto the meat of it. My husbandry SUCKS. I have a temp regulator that my mats are plugged into (I think it's all zoo med). The regulator doesn't have numbers on it, just a knob. It's been 3 weeks and I'm still screwing with it and I cannot for the life of me keep the temp stable. I've been using a digital thermometer and a digital hygrometer. As far as humidity is concerned, it's also been touch and go. Most of the time it's either too high or too low. I just purchased a mistking and it's not. Helping. Needless to say I've spent hundreds of dollars to no freaking avail. I just ordered glass pieces for the lid of his next tank and a whole mess of crap to fill it with but my pockets are officially dry and he's not ready for the 40gal yet.

I reached my tipping point today. I was gone for less than 24 hours. Don't hit me when I say this. When I got home, the readings on my mistking system put the temp at 115 degrees and the humidity at 99.9% (I think he rolled over it after soaking because the sensor was dripping wet but my substrate was soaked so I know it was still too high).

I am so scared for his health and frustrated to near tears trying to figure this out. RI's, mouth/scale rot, belly burns, all of it. I'm paranoid. He hasn't shown any signs of illness or injury yet but I'm afraid that due to all of this the damage may already be done. I'm taking him to a herp vet tomorrow to get him checked out and to do a culture just in case, but good lord I can't take this much longer. I want my guy to be happy and healthy in my home for the next 30 years.

PLEASE HELP ME. If you've had a fail proof environment for your BP that has lasted months, years, I'll take even a week without this stress.. Help me!!

[Dezoruba]

Put him in a tub. It'll cost you maybe $20 and should solve the heat and humidity problem.

Also, that Zoomed thermostat is trash. Return it if you can and order a cheap digital Hydrofarm off amazon instead.

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[GoingPostal]

What is your snake housed in? Personally I use pvc cages with radiant heat panels on the top and flex watt heating underneath, controlled by herpstat thermostats. I don't mist or worry and have no issues at all. Plastic tubs are also good at holding humidity in, along with a substrate like reptichip or cypress mulch.

[melcvt00]

The first step is admitting you have issues and being brave enough to ask questions and not just think you know it all. Kudos to you.

I am far from an expert, but how 'bout starting with a picture of the whole setup, and some details about equipment and substrate?

[Maggie Louise]

I'll definitely get a tub tomorrow and try it out for a few days. It's not the zoomed thermostat that I'm using, I'm getting my readings from the mistking upgraded digital whatever that I ordered with the misting system. It's the zoomed regulator I'm using. The thing that turns the power to my mats on and off depending on the temp. Are those unreliable too? I've wasted so much money on this crap. Why should I do about keeping up a day/night schedule if I use a tub?

[Maggie Louise]

He's in a 10gal zoomed reptihabitat. Does this brand just suck all around? Where did you get your PVC cage?

[PitOnTheProwl]

Location of the "thermostat" probe?

[Maggie Louise]

Thanks. I'll post a picture when I get home. I'm using coconut husk shavings, a mistking system, and zoomed heat mats and a zoomed temp regulator

[Maggie Louise]

I move it from left to middle to right when I do a full check. Otherwise it's in the middle above the substrate

[distaff]

A cheap Sterilite tub is fine for now. The Top MUST latch, or you can use velcro hook and loop tape around the outside. (Nevertheless, any enclosure with doors that open from the front, rather than access thru the top, is just easier.) Put your money for now, into a Herpstat. Depending on your budget, Hydrofarm is MUCH cheaper, but on/off, so provides a less stable temp for the animal. In my experience, they work fine, however. (I would also suggest not to bother with any thing Vivarium Electronics, but maybe I got a couple of lemons, there.) You also want a lazer temp gun. Heat is easiest with a proper t-stat regulated pad, or a radiant heat panel, again, t-stat regulated...no matter WHAT the mfr says about either...seriously.

I trust absolutely nothing by Zoomed, but other people's mileage will vary.