Setting up

[Kera]

Alright so some of you know within two weeks (I'm positive this time ;) ) I'll be getting a 6/7 month old JCP, I made a different thread about it.

But now, before we get her we're setting everything up. For now, I'm stuck with a glass tank with screen top, heat lamp as well. I know, not the best but it's what we have for now. I'll probably end up buying a hat mat soon anyway, so the lamp is temporary. so far, the hot temp is reading at about 73 and low at 67. WAY too cold. All we have is regular bulbs and one 150 watt ceramic bulb. Can that work in a 100 watt lamp or will something go wrong? Is reptile okay to use for the time being? and Give me creative ideas for hides, besides terracotta pots and cardboard if you have any :)
Any other tips are greatly appreciated. Oh and would covering most of the top keep heat in like it does humidity??

I'm sorry if my questions seem stupid, I just don't wanna mess up! TIA

[pdomensis]

Covering the top will help a lot. A 150 watt CHE should provide plenty of heat with a solid top. I've used tinfoil or acrylic with a space cut for the CHE (or dont cut a space with the tinfoil and it makes a fair radiant heat panel). Hides can be anything. I've used chunks of bark I've peeled off dead trees, bird houses, legos, hypertufa pots, skulls, etc.

[Kera]

Covering the top will help a lot. A 150 watt CHE should provide plenty of heat with a solid top. I've used tinfoil or acrylic with a space cut for the CHE (or dont cut a space with the tinfoil and it makes a fair radiant heat panel). Hides can be anything. I've used chunks of bark I've peeled off dead trees, bird houses, legos, hypertufa pots, skulls, etc.

thank you! The temp is up to 78 now, but I'll try the CHE. The cold side is still around 72, so I'll try covering it and the CHE. That's why I'm doing this before I get her. and thanks for the ideas. I love skull hides, awesome.

[Mikoh4792]

What size is your glass tank? How much money can you spend right now? Do you have a thermostat?

If you are going to be using a heat mat, you will want to go with a closed hide with one opening, especially during the Winter when it's cold. You need something that will retain the heat.



Or....have you ever thought about just brumating your snakes during the winter?

[Kera]

What size is your glass tank? How much money can you spend right now? Do you have a thermostat?

If you are going to be using a heat mat, you will want to go with a closed hide with one opening, especially during the Winter when it's cold. You need something that will retain the heat.



Or....have you ever thought about just brumating your snakes during the winter?

The tank is 20 gallon, long though. Money isn't too much of an object with giving a snake a proper home, just no ridiculous prices. I have no thermostats, but I was thinking about that too. If I get a heat mat, I'll definitely buy a thermostat with it.

I know nothing about brumation, but I can look into it!

[Mikoh4792]

Heat mat or heat bulb, a thermostat is necessary. Anyone can go a few years keeping reptiles without a thermostat but there's always the chance for failure when it comes to these heat sources. So basically you might raise your JCP fine for 5 years let's say, and all it takes is one overheating to kill it. A thermostat will prevent any mishaps such as that.



If I couldn't drop the money on an actual snake enclosure I would go ahead and buy a tub instead of using a glass tank. Heat lamps will dry out your enclosure especially during the winter(even with the screen top covered). With a tub you could use a radiant heat panel or just a heat mat, and also drill holes into the sides for perches, controlled ventilation....etc. A tub is a lot more versatile, and better at retaining heat/humidity.

[Kera]

Heat mat or heat bulb, a thermostat is necessary. Anyone can go a few years keeping reptiles without a thermostat but there's always the chance for failure when it comes to these heat sources. So basically you might raise your JCP fine for 5 years let's say, and all it takes is one overheating to kill it. A thermostat will prevent any mishaps such as that.



If I couldn't drop the money on an actual snake enclosure I would go ahead and buy a tub instead of using a glass tank. Heat lamps will dry out your enclosure especially during the winter(even with the screen top covered). With a tub you could use a radiant heat panel or just a heat mat, and also drill holes into the sides for perches, controlled ventilation....etc. A tub is a lot more versatile, and better at retaining heat/humidity.

Okay, I'll get one soon. And I'll look for tubs ASAP as well. What size tub would you say? Usually they're measured in quarts, if they're sterilite or those kind, correct? For now, would it work better to plug in the lamp to the rheostat mounted on the big 6x3x2 tank I have or should it just stay in a normal outlet? Thanks for the help, Mikoh.

[Mikoh4792]

Okay, I'll get one soon. And I'll look for tubs ASAP as well. What size tub would you say? Usually they're measured in quarts, if they're sterilite or those kind, correct? For now, would it work better to plug in the lamp to the rheostat mounted on the big 6x3x2 tank I have or should it just stay in a normal outlet? Thanks for the help, Mikoh.

A rheostat would be great since that's still some form of control over the heat.

I don't know my tubs, but starbuck should be able to help. He has his jcp set up in a nice tub with some height for climbing.

[Kera]

A rheostat would be great since that's still some form of control over the heat.

I don't know my tubs, but starbuck should be able to help. He has his jcp set up in a nice tub with some height for climbing.

Alright, till I can get a thermostat and everything else, I'll put it in the rheostat. I'll talk to Starbuck as well.

[Lankyrob]

If you use the CHE make sure it has a good strong guard between teh snake and the bulb.

[drumcrush]

To keep heat in, you can rap tin foil around cardboard and cover the top of the enclosure. I did that with my Mbk and it bumped up my temps by about 8 degrees F.

[Kera]

If you use the CHE make sure it has a good strong guard between teh snake and the bulb.

Definitely will!

[Mikoh4792]

How long are you keeping the JCP in the 20 gallon? Because if you will be using it for a year or so, I would recommend looking at another thread that is up called " Terrarium background"

I posted some ideas involving cork/fern panels that go inside the tank. That should be a great insulator for both heat and humidity.

[Kera]

How long are you keeping the JCP in the 20 gallon? Because if you will be using it for a year or so, I would recommend looking at another thread that is up called " Terrarium background"

I posted some ideas involving cork/fern panels that go inside the tank. That should be a great insulator for both heat and humidity.

I'll look at it! I'm hoping to keep her in there as long as I can. I have her next step up pretty much ready but it's easier to stay in one tank. I'll look at it!

To keep heat in, you can rap tin foil around cardboard and cover the top of the enclosure. I did that with my Mbk and it bumped up my temps by about 8 degrees F.

Thanks drum, I'll do that too!

[Starbuck]

i use a tub for my 2012 JCP, here is the link:

Sterilite 27 Gallon (108-Quart) Stacker Box - Walmart.com (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-27-Gallon-108-Quart-Stacker-Storage-Box-Set-of-4-Mica/24488607)

It has worked really well for me. I like that it has clipping handles as it makes it feel more secure, and it is a fairly thick plastic. I was able to use night time blue bulbs to produce a hotspot of about 90 degrees, but i'm not sure that ceramic would work, i think it would be too hot...

AND: caveat::: my jcp escaped this tote, as i had it laying on its side and she pushed through the gap, even though it was clipped shut. For a smaller snake i would definitely keep it upright, and put some heavy books etc on the seam of the lid :/ otherwise, i think its a great tub!

[Kera]

i use a tub for my 2012 JCP, here is the link:

Sterilite 27 Gallon (108-Quart) Stacker Box - Walmart.com (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-27-Gallon-108-Quart-Stacker-Storage-Box-Set-of-4-Mica/24488607)

It has worked really well for me. I like that it has clipping handles as it makes it feel more secure, and it is a fairly thick plastic. I was able to use night time blue bulbs to produce a hotspot of about 90 degrees, but i'm not sure that ceramic would work, i think it would be too hot...

AND: caveat::: my jcp escaped this tote, as i had it laying on its side and she pushed through the gap, even though it was clipped shut. For a smaller snake i would definitely keep it upright, and put some heavy books etc on the seam of the lid :/ otherwise, i think its a great tub!

Thanks a bunch! I don't absolutely need the ceramic, it'd just be easier for the glass tank. How do you go about using bulbs with a solid lid?

[Mikoh4792]

you can use a radiant heat panel.

Or if you really need the lamp I guess somehow use it from a distance as to not melt the plastic. Some people cut out a circle and replace it with screen so they can place the lamp on it.

[Starbuck]

Mikoh has it. It was a lower wattage and I ised it from about 6 inches away

[Kera]

Mikoh has it. It was a lower wattage and I ised it from about 6 inches away

Thanks! I'll experiment with a little bit of everything. :)