I'm getting a ball python!!!

[sean12wilk]

This is how I'm gonna set it up. I plan on getting a baby male so for its first home I'm gonna put it in a 16 qt sterilite tub.

I'm gonna use paper towels as substrate.

I'm using reptile basics hides. One small for the 16 qt and one medium for when he moves into his permanent home, a 28 qt sterilite tub.

I'm gonna heat it with a 6x11 ultratherm heat mat from reptile basics. I'm also using a digital thermo/hygro from reptile basics.

And then I'm of course gonna put a water bowl in the tub. I'm just gonna use some tupperware with some rocks in it to weigh it down.

Any comments or suggestion for my setup?

[Mikoh4792]

A thermostat would complete your setup.

[sean12wilk]

Would a lamp dimmer work?

[franks]

Yes as long as your room temps do not fluctuate alot and as long as you take a day or two to dial it in before you put the snake there. I use dimmers on some enclosures and have never had a problem. You just have to constantly be checking in and monitoring your temps (which you should be doing with any heating set up)

[Chris72]

Frank is right..you need something between the power and the heat source.

However because you are fairly new please (strongly) consider using a cheap thermostat rather than a dimmer. HydoFarm makes a single prob Therm for around $30.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPRTC-Digital-Thermostat-Heat/dp/B000NZZG3S

You and your animal will be happier and if you have any "setting issues" a cheap digital Stat will make life....allot....easier.



I wanted to ask about the relative humidity where you are? (State?) The tub should hold RH% well, if you are someplace like Arizona you might have challenges. (we might need to here from someone in the south) Also, we are going to need a digital humidity gauge in there. A cheap one will be fine but please dont get the $5 coil spring type as they are typically junk.




Also, ask for a pic of where your animal is housed now. Sometimes when you move babies they can get stressed out in a bigger tub and stop eating.

Many breeders use small "shoe box" sized Steralite tubs for babies when hatched. If you go directly to the 16qt and your animal doesn't eat...please don't try again in 3 days, or the next day. If the meal is rejected, try again in 6 or 7 days. (once a week). Hoping you have no issue but if you do start to get worried please come here, tell everyone and ask for advise.

(Pictures Please) :)

[sean12wilk]

I live in northwest ohio so the humidity stays in the 40-70 range most of the year. As for the humidty gauge, the on from reptile basics is a digital thermometer and hygrometer in one.

[NewSAHSnakeMom]

I'm in deep southern Mississippi without my over tank lamp my humidity was 70% on a good day 80% on rainy days, now its 45-50% with my lamps. But I also have a glass tank so I'm sure that changes things too.