Last Minute Setup Questions

[ckuhn003]

Hello Everyone....1st off this site has been wonderful for gaining knowledge and reading everyone's experiences. I do however have some last minute setup questions before my new BP arrives next week. I currently have a 20L PVC setup that I purchased at one of the local repticons. For heating, I have a 11 x 11 Ultratherm (14w) UTH taped to the bottom which happens to be a glass section about 9.5 x 8. Note: I haven't hooked up my Herpstat1 yet.

Without the substrate in the enclosure and after running the UTH for about an hour, I took some temperature readings (using temp gun) and I see mid/high 90s on the UTH side and mid/high 70s on the opposite side. Will the opposite side be an issue and if so any suggestions for getting it up to where it needs to be? I also purchased a hollowed out rock hide so I'm wondering if there will be any issues w/ the heat penetrating not only the substrate but the rock bottom. I'll test this.

Also, where is it recommended to put the Herpstat probe? I've seen suggestions on both in the enclosure as well as between the UTH and cage. I'm scared if it's in the cage there could be an issue if water is spilled. Should I attach it w/ regular electrical tape? Instructions say not to use Alum tape due to potential for false readings.

I'll be using ReptiChip in the future; currently have a bag of Coco Soft. Should I wet this before putting it in the enclosure and do I continue to mist it and the BP thereafter??

How often do you change out your substrate? Clean your hides, dishes, etc..?

Sorry for all the questions. Just want to make sure I'm prepared for my little guy

[ckuhn003]

Here's some pictures of my setup.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Booper]

On the topic of the probe, NEVER use tape of any sort inside the enclosure. We've had two people on her very recently who have ended up with injured and potentially dead snakes from them getting caught on tape and getting hurt. There's a sticky on the husbandry section on how to set up a glass tank, which even though yours isn't since you have the mat on the glass bit it might be of help to you
As for substrate, I've never used those ones so can't be of much help, but I clean out any dirty substrate (So wet, soiled) as I see it (I check every day), and fill up fresh water everyday and clean the water bowl once a week.
One thing I'm concerned about your setup is that your snake might feel a bit exposed; maybe get some fake foliage to put in to clutter up the space?
Good luck on getting your new beep!

[Craiga 01453]

Welcome, congrats on your soon-to-be-arriving new snake.

The tstat probe goes between the uth and the enclosure.

Just a few suggestions on the setup:

1) As said above, more clutter would be a good idea. A BP that feels safe and secure will be most likely to thrive, while a snake that feels scared or nervous will be more likely to refuse food.

2) It is often suggested to use 2 identical hides, one on either end. Snakes can be picky about which hide they use and will often sacrifice warmth or stay in a hide that is too warm because it's the only place they feel safe.

3) The rock hide is actually for fish and not the best choice, and the skull isn't a great hide either. Cool decoration, but not great for practicality.

4) The enclosure may be too big for a juvenile BP. Plenty of people have success with that size enclosure, but it can also be public enemy number one with new snakes.

Just food for thought, as there are more than one way to do things...

Good luck! Keep us posted and share some pics when your new snake arrives!!
Feel free to ask any more questions you may have.

[RickyNY]

Did you read did sticky? :https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-With-Pictures!

Good luck buddy, hope you get every dialed in.

[ckuhn003]

Fully noted about needing some clutter. I just wanted to get the heat dialed in before filling out the cage. I'll throw some fake vegetation in before I house the snake.

Regarding having the hides, I thought the rock would work well because it seemed like it would secure the snake well enough. Since I don't have him yet (he was born in 2016 about 15" long), I wasn't sure how big/small to go. I guess I'll go w/ 2 of the 'boring' black hides.

20L was the size suggested by many so I'm hoping the enclosure is not too big.

The pinned stickies have been a lot of help but you tend to read and process a lot of info up front; sometimes forgetting or overlooking some details.

[Zincubus]

Fully noted about needing some clutter. I just wanted to get the heat dialed in before filling out the cage. I'll throw some fake vegetation in before I house the snake.

Regarding having the hides, I thought the rock would work well because it seemed like it would secure the snake well enough. Since I don't have him yet (he was born in 2016 about 15" long), I wasn't sure how big/small to go. I guess I'll go w/ 2 of the 'boring' black hides.

20L was the size suggested by many so I'm hoping the enclosure is not too big.

The pinned stickies have been a lot of help but you tend to read and process a lot of info up front; sometimes forgetting or overlooking some details.

As long as the temps are correct and you get the heating / thermostat fitted properly you will be fine .

As mentioned clutter is important to give protection and security - branches and bark pieces from the local woods and parks work well , as do fake silk / plastic plants / foliage from the local dollar shop .

Get a couple of digital thermometers like these ... You can choose to have readings in C or F with a click of a switch .
They're about 3 dollars off eBay / Amazon or any online site .



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Also try and get a digital temp gun as well ( 12 dollars off eBay / Amazon etc ) . They're great for random testing of the warm and cool areas and under the hides etc .

They're great for testing all kinds of temps around the house plus as a bonus my Lake Malawi Cichlids love chasing the red laser dot around their tank and our tiny Italian Greyhound chases the red dot around the lounge


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Please don't waste any money on these stick on plastic dial thermometers shown below !!!
Nothing to do with Exo Terra as many companies make them but they just give a very rough idea of the ambient air temps which are nowhere near as important as the surface temps .

[ckuhn003]

As long as the temps are correct and you get the heating / thermostat fitted properly you will be fine .

As mentioned clutter is important to give protection and security - branches and bark pieces from the local woods and parks work well , as do fake silk / plastic plants / foliage from the local dollar shop .

Get a couple of digital thermometers like these ... You can choose to have readings in C or F with a click of a switch .
They're about 3 dollars off eBay / Amazon or any online site .



------


Also try and get a digital temp gun as well ( 12 dollars off eBay / Amazon etc ) . They're great for random testing of the warm and cool areas and under the hides etc .

They're great for testing all kinds of temps around the house plus as a bonus my Lake Malawi Cichlids love chasing the red laser dot around their tank and our tiny Italian Greyhound chases the red dot around the lounge


-----



Please don't waste any money on these stick on plastic dial thermometers shown below !!!
Nothing to do with Exo Terra as many companies make them but they just give a very rough idea of the ambient air temps which are nowhere near as important as the surface temps .

Excellent response. I bought the temp gun (TG-1) and Digital Thermometer from Reptile Basics. Do you see an issue if the non UTH area is showing in the mid/upper 70s? It looks like I can get the UTH area in the mid/high 90s.

[Zincubus]

No higher than 92F warm hide / side .

[RickyNY]

Do you see an issue if the non UTH area is showing in the mid/upper 70s?

Cool side should be 82-84, according to this sticky:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...Husbandry-FAQs