ball python housing questions for first time owner.

[mmarchl23]

I have yet to aquire my snake as I want the set up to be relatively bullet proff prior to placing an animal in it. I understand many aspects are preferance and have done some snooping but couldn't really get a direct answer.

First and foremost I have thehousing unit mostly built, waiting on my next 2 paychecks for a few of the portions, but I built the unit itself with 1/2 inch plywood of the highest quality I could find (I'm a relatively experienced wood worker). I have read that wood floors do not work well with a UTH so I'm leaning towards a CHE for the primary warming unit. I was wondering if any of you with more experince could guide me through aproximate wattages, distances from the "basking" point and so on.

Second, I've been looking into lamp guards but cannot seem to find one that appears to be capable of properly protecting a smaller animal so suggestions are very welcome.

Finally, I was wondering if it would be useful to include one of the zoomed or repti sun moonlight replicating bulbs alongside the CHE and if this should be timered or allowed to run full 24 hr cycles.

I intend to use a standard florescent bulb for the day time light as I know the snakes are noctournal and do not require specific uv ranges. This will of course be timed.

I appologise in advance if any of these questions are repetitive but tried searching prior to joining the forums and ended up more confused than satisfied.

Thanks in advace for any and all input!

[Lankyrob]

I use CHE's for all my snakes and love them.

My BP viv is 4x2x2ft and i use a 150w bulb hanging about 8inches form the top. Search ebay or reptile stores for a nice solid metal guard for the bulb and control the heat with a pulse proportional thermostat. It was expensive to setup, about £120 all in, but has been running for three years 24/7 with zero issues at all.

Some people will say that the bulb dries the air but i find that misting the viv teice a week and having a small waterbowl beneath the bulb isnt a problem for me.

With regard to lighting that is for your benefit not the snakes as long as there is natural daylight to provide a day/night schedule, none of my vivs have lights in them.

[Mikoh4792]

You can get those timer outlets that have sockets to run heat sources 24/7, sockets to run daylights, and then sockets to run night lights. You could plug your thermostat into the 24/7 outlet and then plug your ceramic heat emitter into the thermostat. Then just hook up lights to the day socket and nightlights to the night socket. Done.

I've never used a ceramic heat emitter inside an enclosure so I am not knowledgeable on the guards for the bulb. I've only used them outside enclosures on screen tops. Have you thought about radiant heat panels?

[franks]

I love the UTH for Ball Pythons. It is easy to apply a UTH to a custom plywood build. Simply cut out a 14"x14" square out of the floor on one side, and silicone a 18"x18" slate, or real stone tile over it. Put the heat pad on the underside of the tile. It is extremely energy efficient as well, since the stone will hold and release heat for you.

[Mikoh4792]

I love the UTH for Ball Pythons. It is easy to apply a UTH to a custom plywood build. Simply cut out a 14"x14" square out of the floor on one side, and silicone a 18"x18" slate, or real stone tile over it. Put the heat pad on the underside of the tile. It is extremely energy efficient as well, since the stone will hold and release heat for you.

Great Idea.

[mmarchl23]

Hey all, thanks for the input. I decided to go a similar route to what franks suggested and cut a slot in the back panel of the enclosure. I then am going to put spacers in to allow for a gap between the wood floor and a set of slate tiles. The slot in the back will allow me to change out the UTH should it go bad. I saw the concept on another thread (I can't recall where it was or who came up with it) but I certainly can't take credit myself. I do think ill use a CHE as well (both set on a thermostat) just to help keep the cage well heated.

Also where the cage will be does not receive any natural light (the boss lady told me if I got one it had to live downstairs) so will a standard florescent tube be enough to simulate day light? I have one set up with a timer already but can replace the bulb easily if need be.

[Mikoh4792]

Yes fluorescent lighting will work.

[mmarchl23]

awesome thank you!

[Davisniles]

According to me, florescent light would be more better than bulb.

[Amadeus]

According to me, florescent light would be more better than bulb.

What??????

[Mark Taylor]

What??????

You did multiple negatives think this is multiple positives? lol.

[Amadeus]

You did multiple negatives think this is multiple positives? lol.

Haha

I would love to like to maybe go.

[Mikoh4792]

Go there more further than most men have gone the furthest!

[smy_749]

Try to answer the question guys....we don't need 10 threads that end the same way...really

[Mikoh4792]

Try to answer the question guys....we don't need 10 threads that end the same way...really

I've already given my input and so have others. Most of the questions have been answered. Besides, once a thread is made it is a public thread so people can post what they like as long as it doesn't break any rules.

[smy_749]

Every time we go off on a tanget it ends up breaking the rules or getting put in the lounge so only members can see it....Just because questions have been answered doesnt mean you make 4 more pages of nonsense in every thread. We have the members lounge to fool around in...

[Mark Taylor]

Sorry guys.

@smay It's OK for you to go of topic, it was quiet and I was board:p

Can't seem too pm you.:)

[Amadeus]

A far as I'm concerned a thread that has had its questions answered and an ended discussion is fair game for nonsense.

[Mikoh4792]

Every time we go off on a tanget it ends up breaking the rules or getting put in the lounge so only members can see it....Just because questions have been answered doesnt mean you make 4 more pages of nonsense in every thread. We have the members lounge to fool around in...

Well i'm not breaking the rules so I'll do as I please. I hope you meant to exaggerate by saying "4 pages of nonsense in every thread". Usually in threads with nonsense filled conversations towards the end, the original post has already been answered or discussed. For example the " we have to stop...etc" thread. It was originally about people abusing animal for the sake of t.v. and it went off topic into how to raise your children. The "nonsense" that you see in that thread all came afterwards.

[Amadeus]

Well i'm not breaking the rules so I'll do as I please. I hope you meant to exaggerate by saying "4 pages of nonsense in every thread". Usually in threads with nonsense filled conversations towards the end, the original post has already been answered or discussed. For example the " we have to stop...etc" thread. It was originally about people abusing animal for the sake of t.v. and it went off topic into how to raise your children. The "nonsense" that you see in that thread all came afterwards.

Nonsense is my specialty

.http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g361/412bro/367840_zpsdd6765f9.jpg (http://s1098.photobucket.com/user/412bro/media/367840_zpsdd6765f9.jpg.html)

[mmarchl23]

Honestly I'm going to have to side with SMY on this one. There is absolutely a time and place for fun and games, i just dont think everywhere, all the time is appropriate. I mean i asked questions here and see the post brought back expecting new input and i get this... for new members and veterans alike this is very irritating...

[Amadeus]

Honestly I'm going to have to side with SMY on this one. There is absolutely a time and place for fun and games, i just dont think everywhere, all the time is appropriate. I mean i asked questions here and see the post brought back expecting new input and i get this... for new members and veterans alike this is very irritating...

That's unfortunate to hear.

[Mikoh4792]

Honestly I'm going to have to side with SMY on this one. There is absolutely a time and place for fun and games, i just dont think everywhere, all the time is appropriate. I mean i asked questions here and see the post brought back expecting new input and i get this... for new members and veterans alike this is very irritating...

Guess you haven't read the other posts on this thread. We've already addressed your questions. How much more do you want us to expand on your thread? I don't see fun and games everywhere, all the time being expresed in this thread. We were having fun after all was said and done.

[Mikoh4792]

Hey all, thanks for the input. I decided to go a similar route to what franks suggested and cut a slot in the back panel of the enclosure. I then am going to put spacers in to allow for a gap between the wood floor and a set of slate tiles. The slot in the back will allow me to change out the UTH should it go bad. I saw the concept on another thread (I can't recall where it was or who came up with it) but I certainly can't take credit myself. I do think ill use a CHE as well (both set on a thermostat) just to help keep the cage well heated.

See? You've already decided what you were going to do with the advice we've given you.

[KORBIN5895]

I recommend a radiant heat panel.