Bedding, probes, grout sealant ?????

[Makavelli]

Hi all :)

I have one female BCI (believed to be Columbian).

I'm mid way through a DIY tank for her and I have a few questions I was hoping for some help with...

**sorry, I'm too new to post links, I guess. I just put the title of the items I'm thinking of buying, so you could still look them up if you like. (all found on amazon . com) ***

1) Where do you buy your bedding? What's the cheapest high quality source? I will have two areas for substrate (dry/humid). I have a tub/rub for a humid hide, and then I also want a normal or non-humid bedding. Also, what types do you recommend (or mixes). My thoughts were shredded aspen for the dry (really don't know of ANY other dry options for a boa) and orchid bark or eco earth bricks (I think they have a forest brick also?) potting soil.......
What are you using for those that provide substrates? Also, my plan is to just let them sit in their plastic bags, in the sun a few days, to rid of any mites/bugs right????



2) I have a herpastat 2 (termostat with 2 probes) for her hot spot and cold side. Because her terrarium will be a bit bigger than standard I wanted to go the extra mile and pick up 2-3 remote thermometer probes just because :yes:
something like this
search amazing for: General Tools AQ150 Digital Aquarium Thermometer
OR THIS Digital temperature meter with remote temp sensor by Buler

How reliable are probes like that? Are their any places to buy like a 3, 4 or even 5 pack and save some money?



3) How reliable are cheap humidity probes like this? How do you measure RH?
search amazon for: Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer with Probe, habitat, kit, rainforest, vivarium, exo, terra, humidity



4) lastly, for anyone who has done a DIY rock wall/hide etc how do you seal the grout? I am doing a 4' x 3' area, so something that is easy to work with would be great. I'm dreaming of something spray on...but I may just be dreamsing LOL :cool:

[millertime89]

Cheap and high quality don't go together usually. If I want high-quality Cypress I would buy the Forest Floor cypress, but its not cheap. If I wanted a lot I would go to Lowes or another place with a garden center and try and find a bag of cypress that doesn't say "mix" or "blend" on it to minimize the risk of getting something else in the bag. Its somewhat dirty because there's a lot of tiny particles and shavings and there are some fairly good sized chunks too, but its cheap.

Get a temp gun, easier and cheaper than a bunch of extra temp probes.

No experience with the other two.

[Makavelli]

I do have a temp gun :) And based on the price of the other probes I may just stick with that. I'm hoping someone has already found a golden deal....*fingers crossed*

I looked up the forest floor cypress mulch...it looks chunkier than I thought. I wanted to mention I won't be feeding on the bedding at all. I DO feed in the enclosure, but on a part that isn't bedded/near substrate.