Please help with my setup!

[Lolo76]

Wallyworld

You mean Walmart? Unfortunately we don't have one around here... Would Target have something appropriate?

[llovelace]

You can find the accurite temperature/hygrometer w/ probe at most home improvement stores in the garden department, I just checked target online and didn't see one.

[Kaorte]

That bulb either needs to be covered or be ditched all together. If your snake got too close, she could get burned!
Get a UTH and put it on a thermostat (you can find a inexpensive one on the reptile supply website).
If you are going to keep the light, find something to enclose it in, maybe a wire cage, so your BP can't get to it. Then put the light on a light dimmer so you can keep your ambient temp around 80*.
I don't know what you are using to measure your temps now, but your best bet, as mentioned before is to get an Accurite digital thermometer and hydrometer combo. Make sure you get the one with the probe for the "outdoor" reading.
Get two identical tight fitting hides with a small opening. This can be as easy as taking a used plastic container and cutting a hole in the side. Tada! Insta-hide.
I don't know if you are into the whole nice looking cage thing, but I think yours could use a little plant decor
Carefresh is fine to use, you could also use paper towels if you like a cleaner look

Hope this helps!

[Lolo76]

Thank you all for the advice! I'll print out this thread, and take it shopping with me - to make sure I don't forget anything. FYI, the heat lamp is connected to a dimmer, and I'm just using a standard thermometer on the ground... temps seem to have stabilized now, so I will probably cover that lamp rather than getting something else (esp since it's built-in). And yes, I do want a pretty cage, so there will be some decorative items going in soon!

I also just looked at the care sheet they gave me, and it does show an under-tank heater... guess he just thought I wouldn't need it right away? Here's the diagram they provided:

[Kaorte]

A UTH is a good idea, You can just slap it on the underside of that enclosure and you are good to go. I think UTH's are great for maintaining a correct hot spot inside the hide. That way you know they have the right temps to digest their food inside the hide.

[ScottyDsntKnow]

Others have said but...

1- Cover or remove that bulb completely

2- Provide 2 identical hides. Hide logs suck BTW, you need something that will provide a lot of security. I went with reptile basics hides and my ball loves them.

3- Need more clutter in a viv setup to make the snake feel secure when it is out and about

4- Acurite thermometers are usually found at Home Cheapo or Lowes. I actually couldn't find any at the HD near me but Lowes had a ton of em. Attach them to the side of the viv on the INSIDE on the cool side about 3-5" above the substrate. I attached mine with double sided stick pads. Put the hotside probe in the substrate above the UTH

5- You need the aformentioned UTH and SHOULD have it on a tstat but a $10 dimmer from Home Cheapo will get you by as long as you check every day. Never plug a UTH in without some form of temp control as many will crank up to well above 100 degrees and that WILL burn the snake.

6- Make sure that the viv doesn't have too many places for humidity to get out and mist when needed. Any cheap spray bottle works fine as a mister but I got all fancy schmancy and got a fine spray mister from a chain store lol. Works very well.

Not trying to tear up your setup, noone here is. I actually just went through the gauntlet of regs here setting up my 20L terrarium. I had log hides and humidity way off and after some constructive criticism I fixed everything and my ball immedietely went back on feed and is much happier now. Hope this helps.


This is what mine looks like as of right now.

[llovelace]

This is what mine looks like as of right now.

And a fantabulous job on your viv

[Lolo76]

Great looking vivarium, Scotty - and thanks for the advice! I knew mine needed work, so I'm glad to have all the constructive criticism. Do you like the tank I got, though? It cost a pretty penny, and I hope it was worth the extra $$$.

[ScottyDsntKnow]

Well mine is a 20L and this is what I paid so you can compare to what you paid and see if you think it was worth it.

I paid $60 for the tank at Petco, $25 for ALL the faux plants the 20L background paper, the big rock thinger and the branch(all living things box set at Petsmart), $20 for the UTH, $25 for the Tstat, $10 for the dimmer, $15 for the lamp and bulb, $12 for both hides, $6 for the bowl, $7 for the moss, $10 for the mister and $12 for the thermometer.

Figure on the aspen and the tape/foil etc... and I paid about $200 for the whole shebang. With the tape and foil on top it holds humidity perfectly and temps stay consistently good.

[Toronto Python Gurus]

i would suggest gettin the hides from the dollar store you can find something to use there, and it'll save you some money!