Quote Originally Posted by Phin View Post
First off my enclosure is a 20 gal screen toped glass tank
I cleaned the tank , hide and the water dish with 5% bleach and water. I waited a week after that before I went to pick up the new Ball and this time I'm using news paper for the bottom not the substrate they sold me the first time. I have a 60 watt heat lamp. I also have a under tank heater which I have not installed yet because I am using news paper and I don't want him to get burned. The water dish is a plastic container that is large enough to soak in and I have one hide

I know I need a second hide and plan on buying a thermostat for the uth. also I cant seem to keep the humidity any higher than 45%

I have heard so many things that you might need for your snakes enclosure. Mine like yours was not eating for several factors. One my enclosure was too cold. Once I got my uth my bp was so much happier. I know your using newspaper and if you want to continue using it you might want to try to get reptile carpet to go on the bottom of your tank. That way it creates a barrier between your uth and the newspaper. I agree that it might be a little too hot if you just put newspaper down, I haven't tried it so maybe someone else can guide you better. I right now in my 20 gal. I have the reptile carpet and some substrate on the bottom. I too was very concern of the heat hurting my snake, but hes sooo much happier.

When I first got him I was very concerned because he was simply not eating. I was guided by a few members on the board as well as my vets. The end result was me buying a small plastic container drill a few holes in the top. Not too huge but just enough to put one of his hides in there as well as him being able to move around fine. (Granted that this was after I got his tank regulated for about a couple of days) I then put the plastic container in his tank for heat, comfortability, and protection (i have cats). I left him in there for about an hour or two. I then put the mouse in and he ate. I was very proud. I hope all works out of your.

Question why did you take another snake from the guy even though it was an exchange? Alot of store will at least give you store credit, I would have took that instead of getting a possibly another sick snake. I'm in a situation right now where I'm fighting with one of the reptile stores that sold me a sick snake and they want to exchange me for another snake. I'd rather have store credit since in my mind ppl shouldn't be selling any animal sick unless indicated at the time of the sale.