Inexpensive alternatives?

[Johnny Hive X]

I'm in the process of setting up a tank for a BP. I'm wanting to do this right and I've been reading up for almost 3 months before making a BP purchase. It's becoming expensive as I look at the pet stores at all the stuff it takes for setup. Are there some less expensive alternatives for some of the things I need or a cheaper place to purchase them? Here's the stuff I'm buying:

(1) 20L glass vivarium w/sliding locking screen lid
(1) UTH for 20L tank
(2) digital thermometers w/probes
(1) digital thermometer/hygrometer
(1) clamp lamp w/blue night bulb
(1) rheostat [for clamp lamp]
(1) thermostat [for UTH]
(1) package substrate (reptile bark or aspen, whatever)
(2) identical hides (for hatchling)
(1) wood piece tank decoration
(2) plastic plant decorations
(1) medium water dish
(1) pair of hemostats

other items:

- aluminum foil
- duct tape
- black posterboard
- black foam/cork board
- black electrical tape


Anyone have recommendations on where to get all this stuff at for the least expensive price?

[wolfy-hound]

You can get a digital thermometer with humidity disply witha long corded probe at walmart for about $15.
Hides can be plastic bowls, with holes melted(cut if you smooth the edges) in the "bottom"/"top" or in one side. Or you can use clay pots, and chip out a entrance, or chip out the drain hole larger for a entrance. As long as they are the same, it doens't matter.
The decorations(wood/plastic plants) can be gotten at the Dollar Tree type stores, just wash them well before using.

You technically can use newspaper for substrate, plastic bowls upturned for hides, and replace it later if you wanted it to look better.
You can't really skimp on the UTH, the thermostats(rheostats), etc. Those are what would hurt the snake if they fail.
I see tons of the tanks with lids on craigslist or at yard sales, myself. I've bought some before, when I needed one quick. Petsmart is a decent price normally.
Good luck.

[anendeloflorien]

I would check out Big Apple Herp for most of that stuff.
Another alternative (I don't know what your price range is really) that would cut out a good amount of that stuff would be to check out a reptile cage like Rich at Reptile Basics makes: Shipping is already included with it and everyone I know who has one of his cages absolutely love them! They are much easier to keep the heat and humidity in and you can get them with a light built in. The heat tape is already installed for you and all you would really need is hides (which he makes also), substrate, water bowl and a thermostat.

This one MINI CAGEwould work great for a baby BP and once they outgrow it you can just upgrade to the next size up (2X3 or 2X4) and then you've got a great excuse to get a new baby to put in the small cage
Good luck!

[piper]

I'm in the process of setting up a tank for a BP. I'm wanting to do this right and I've been reading up for almost 3 months before making a BP purchase. It's becoming expensive as I look at the pet stores at all the stuff it takes for setup. Are there some less expensive alternatives for some of the things I need or a cheaper place to purchase them? Here's the stuff I'm buying:

(1) 20L glass vivarium w/sliding locking screen lid
(1) UTH for 20L tank
(2) digital thermometers w/probes
(1) digital thermometer/hygrometer
(1) clamp lamp w/blue night bulb
(1) rheostat [for clamp lamp]
(1) thermostat [for UTH]
(1) package substrate (reptile bark or aspen, whatever)
(2) identical hides (for hatchling)
(1) wood piece tank decoration
(2) plastic plant decorations
(1) medium water dish
(1) pair of hemostats

other items:

- aluminum foil
- duct tape
- black posterboard
- black foam/cork board
- black electrical tape


Anyone have recommendations on where to get all this stuff at for the least expensive price?

(2) digital thermometers w/probes
(1) digital thermometer/hygrometer

Go to Wal-Mart and you will find something there for those, can't remember what they're called.

(1) pair of hemostats
Go to a dollar store and pick up some tongs.

(1) package substrate (reptile bark or aspen, whatever)

Use paper towel or newspaper.

(1) clamp lamp w/blue night bulb
(1) rheostat [for clamp lamp]

Don't need either if you have a UTH. Heat from the top isn't necessary, it's the belly heat that counts.

(2) plastic plant decorations
(1) medium water dish

Dollar Store. Don't really need the plant decorations though. Look for a cheap plastic bowl or even a water dish for a kitten.

[wolfy-hound]

Get a ceramic crock if you can, they don't tip over like the plastic ones.

[WickedBalls]

Ebay,Dollar Store,Walmart

[Johnny Hive X]

I don't know how I feel about the side door access as opposed to the above the tank access.

They don't give much description about the actual cage either.

I would check out Big Apple Herp for most of that stuff.
Another alternative (I don't know what your price range is really) that would cut out a good amount of that stuff would be to check out a reptile cage like Rich at Reptile Basics makes: Shipping is already included with it and everyone I know who has one of his cages absolutely love them! They are much easier to keep the heat and humidity in and you can get them with a light built in. The heat tape is already installed for you and all you would really need is hides (which he makes also), substrate, water bowl and a thermostat.

This one MINI CAGEwould work great for a baby BP and once they outgrow it you can just upgrade to the next size up (2X3 or 2X4) and then you've got a great excuse to get a new baby to put in the small cage
Good luck!

[anendeloflorien]

I don't know how I feel about the side door access as opposed to the above the tank access.

They don't give much description about the actual cage either.

It actually gives you much easier access to take the snake out compared to an overhead tank lid. I don't know about you but in my house any free horizontal space gets filled with crap whether you want it to or not lol. With the doors on the front you never have to worry about that! You can always email Rich he's always been great with me as far as answering any questions I had. Also having a cage that's completely enclosed except for the front gives your animal an awesome sense of security.

Just my .02 lol.

[WingedWolfPsion]

You can pick up a LARGE clear plastic bin for $10.00
Spend $8.00 on a soldering iron
Spend $12.00 on a set of 4 luggage padlocks.

Voila, a cage--for only $30.00. Holds humidity great, VERY easy to clean and sterilize because it's so light, and although the visibility isn't perfect like glass or acrylic, you can still watch your animal.

BAH (Big Apple Herp) has good thermostats for a low price--and they have flexible heat cord that works great for a very low price, too.

[Somed00d]

i would get something with sliding glass front doors something like an exoterra. having a screen lid will need more work to get the humidity up and then it will likely look like crap depending on how you cover it