Newbie 'Stuff' List

[starmom]

Hi!~
Firstly, I have been lurking around and have learned a lot from this forum; thank you all!
My son and I are getting herps for Christmas: 1.0 pastel het ghost; 0.1 het ghost; 0.1 mojave. We are excited and have been doing much homework for a couple of months now and have amassed a bunch of herp needs. I'm wondering if anyone can give it the critical eye and let me know if I've forgotten anything or if I'm way off base with anything.
The List: 3- 2x3x12 cages from RBI; Helix thermostat; digital thermometer; digital hygrometer; 2 hides for each cage; indented kraft paper and aspen for substrate; chlorhexidine for cleaning; 12" hemostats; digital scale; water/soak bowls; instant heat pads in case power goes out; frozen dinners from The Mouse Factory.
So, what do you all think? I realize that perhaps a rack system would have been a wiser choice, but (snicker snicker) I was just going to get ONE snake! The two...now three....
Anyway, saving my money now for a rack system......!
Thanks for your input~
Starmom

[monk90222]

Your list looks good.
I would add some 8oz deli cups for waterbowls for now, then when they can knock them over easily go for the 16oz cups with a 4" pvc coupler to hold it!
Good Luck!

[starmom]

Using a pvc coupler is a *great* idea! Thanks, I'll do that!

[monk90222]

Using a pvc coupler is a *great* idea! Thanks, I'll do that!

if your getting hatchlings, use an 8oz cup..the 16oz is too deep for it....but if they are IMO 400g or over go for the 16ers!

[Reediculous]

Anyway, saving my money now for a rack system......!
Thanks for your input~
Starmom

Psssst! Rich over at Reptile basics is a Great guy, and will answer any questions you have about racks... His are durable, dependable, stackable, and affordable! http://reptilebasics.com/

by the way welcome, and you have found a great community over here!

[Reediculous]

if your getting hatchlings, use an 8oz cup..the 16oz is too deep for it....but if they are IMO 400g or over go for the 16ers!

Charlie i stole this from your gallery hope you don't Mind!

This is what the 8oz look like, just to give you an idea

[starmom]

by the way welcome, and you have found a great community over here![/QUOTE]

Thanks for the welcome; and I agree, a great community!

[Ginevive]

I wanted to say, that your choice of a Helix thermostat, is a good one I used mine last year for incubating, and now use it for my hatchlings from August. Great piece of equipment!
Maybe I missed it, but I would recommend Flexwatt heating. I ordered mine from Reptile Basics and they will pre-wire it for you too. Good stuff!
Welcome to the forum too.

[starmom]

LOL> No , you didn't miss it; I did not mention the heating! You're right thought, Rich is putting on the Flex tape, as he does for all of his products. He's a great guy and has been a valuable resource for cage and heating information. Had I known I was going to go a little crazy and get three snakes and not the planned one snake, I would have just ordered a rack to begin with!
However, I think this might be a good way to start out anyway with good learning experiences pertaining to single environments.
This entire adventure began with my 15 year old son (who has wanted to be a zoologist since he was knee-high) lobbying for a bp. I jumped on board and then got my hubby to (at least) grudgingly accept the idea. With minimal acceptance obtained, I started looking.....and buying....and buying.....and buying.... I can't wait until the weather is warm enough for the herps to be shipped. We're getting 2 from TSK and one from NERD. Both places, and all people, have been terrific to deal with. Kara, from NERD, was exceptionally terrific!!!!
~Starmom

[cueball]

thank you all!

You're welcome