Help with Care.

[Ginevive]

I have some good news for you. You said that you're strapped for cash (don't I know the feeling of that.. Well, plastic tubs (such as Rubbermaid and Sterilite) make great housing for these snakes. They're low, with less height to them, and are easier to heat and more secure for the snake to live in. The best part; a tub is much less expensive than a tank, and so easy to clean. I recommend using newspaper as a substrate; it can be completely removed and changed whenever the snake messes it up. A tub is also easy to clean, in that you can completely lift it into the sink easily rather than lugging a big tank around.
An undertank heatpad, on a rheostat dimmer, works great for providing a heat gradient. I would keep the snake in a room that stays around 80 degrees, as is it so much easier to heat the air around the tub, than to have to heat the tub itself to two different temperatures.
I hope that someone with pics of a tub setup will post them. Basically, it's the tub (about long enough for the snake to stretch out diagonally if it wants to.) Then, a substrate, such as several layers of newspaper, or aspen shreddings, or cypress mulch (pine is bad because of its oils.) Then, you'd want 2 identical hide spots, that can be something as simple as 2 identical plastic cereal bowls, flipped over with an entryway cut into them, and a size so the snake can snugly hide inside (they do this most of the time.) One would go over the heat spot, and the other one would go on the cooler side. A water bowl, heavy ceramic works great, would go in the center.
You could apply these principals to a tank if you wanted to, but I would rec. covering the screen lid with plastic wrap mostly to retain humidity. When the snake's eyes start going blue, a shed is coming, and I would jack his humidity up by spraying with a water spray bottle that you can buy at garden stores.
Last but most important, is the lid of the tub (or tank.) I get the tubs (for my snakes that are not in a rack) that latch on both sides, but I still place a heavy brick atop to keep snakes in

[Ginevive]

I amde some diagrams for ya

tub setup


undertank heater placement

[bender29]

LOL! Ginevive, my oh my, what species is that gorgeous and peachy-colored snake you have there?

It also looks as if he has a lot of build up in his "end" area. It must be a blood.

[Ginevive]

LOL! Ginevive, my oh my, what species is that gorgeous and peachy-colored snake you have there?

It also looks as if he has a lot of build up in his "end" area. It must be a blood.

That is a Ginevive-Was-Tired-And-UP-Past-Her-Bedtime snake!

[deeplove]

Thanks for the help guys and gals. Now, what brands of equipment should I get that's readily available say from Petsmart, Petco or such? If I really need to get something from the Net I will, but I wanted to see if these stores have some items I can get just by walking in.

I have a BIG bag of Aspen and the bowl. It's a 3' 1/2 snake. What other items?

[Fenderplayer104]

Zoo med is a brand i use for undertank hearters and zilla digital theremoeters.

[Ginevive]

I use ZooMed undertank heat pads with the same brand of rheostat. I would actually really recommend getting a high-quality thermostat (such as a Helix) and hooking some Flexwatt to it. This works better in a room that tends to change temperatures often. A heat pad on a rheostat works in a room with consistent, relatively warm temperatures, but cannot really be the only source of heat unless the room is around 80-odd degrees and you're using the uTH for a hot spot.
You could get the ZMed stuff for now, as a temporary fix, and get the thermostat and flexwatt in the near future..

[ChrisBowsman]

I was snake-sitting my bro-in-law's BP as well, and I fought and fought with a glass tank trying to get temps and humidity proper.

He's taking his snake back, so I bought one for myself. I took everybody's advice and got a tub, and ho-lee crap is it easier. The glass took days of tweaking to get it right, and lots of tricks to get the humidity up. The tub, on the other hand, hot more humid than necessary, with just the water dish. After I drilled a few more holes in the side, it settled down and was ready to go.

In short, plastic is WAAAAAY easier.

[waltah!]

plastic tub=$6(walmart)
Heat mat=$17
Rheostat=$22
DIGITAL thermometer/hygrometer=$12 (walmart...Accurite with probe)
hides=$2 (plastic bowls)
happy healthy BP=priceless
You said you were a bit strapped for cash so this is an inexpensive list of items that you could use to have a good working setup. Tubs are great for humidity levels and holding temps. Get a good clear one with locking latches on each side. I'd be willing to bet that
after a week in this setup and being left alone that he will eat for you
I would eventually look into getting a good thermostat as well, but being cash strapped does not usually equal a shiny new Helix or Herpstat.

[deeplove]

Yo...Thanks a lot guys. This is great information. I'll be going to Walmart at lunch time to get some stuff. I saw that 41qt or so, and I'll look for some bowls and the Accurite.

With the heat mat and say the Aspen, will that be enough to heat up one side to about 90F+? Would I still need to use a heat lamp for that size of tub?

Anywho, I really appreciate all your help guys.