Preparing for a BCI

[Kuamata]

So, I really was not looking to add, but I found this pretty lady on kingsnakes classifieds and snatched her up with a deposite. Now I'm using the time I have to make the remaining payment to prepare. She'll be coming from Russo's Reptiles. She is roughly 18-25in long and was hatched 5/25 this year, on fuzzy/hopper mice, which I have ordered and am waiting for(from Perfect Prey).

She is listed as a Possible Super Coral Sunglow and is 50% Het for Moonglows(which I love, 'cause moonglows are stunning boas). Her mother is from the Orangasm Line and is a Coral Sunglow, het for moonglows. The father is from the Lovell Line, and is also a Coral Sunglow.

I would post a pic of her, but the forum won't let me :/

So, the only thing I have available at this precise moment are empty tanks, which I know are not desirable for snakes.. I'm very aesthetic, so whatever kind of enclosure I settle on, I'd like to decorate it and give it a nice, natural look, so that will most likely cost a pretty penny, as well, unless someone knows of a good seller with reasonable deals('cause I don't). I'd like plants, natural safe substrate, vines for arboreal climbing opportunities, little caves for hiding, etc.

I was thinking an ambient temp of ~82F, basking temp of ~92F, cool side temp of ~78F, and nighttime temp of ~78F. Humidity staying around 50-60%. That seem good?

Anyone got any suggestions on good places to shop online with reasonable prices?

[IW17]

Yeah you seem like you've got the right idea. Tanks are tough for tropical species but it's attainable. Just takes a lot of work. I'd just grab a large clear/opaque tote, a uth and a thermostat. Oh and a temp gun if you don't have one. You can get all that for under $100. I'd go with either a iris Christmas tote/ve-175 if you can find one by you, or a sterilite 110 will work for at least a year. The 175 might work for its entire life, depending on what boa you're getting and it's adult size. But either way it will work for quite a while. The sterilite is about the same size as a 40 breeder.

[IW17]

Oh and you can post pics after you post on the forum five times

[Kuamata]

Yeah you seem like you've got the right idea. Tanks are tough for tropical species but it's attainable. Just takes a lot of work. I'd just grab a large clear/opaque tote, a uth and a thermostat. Oh and a temp gun if you don't have one. You can get all that for under $100. I'd go with either a iris Christmas tote/ve-175 if you can find one by you, or a sterilite 110 will work for at least a year. The 175 might work for its entire life, depending on what boa you're getting and it's adult size. But either way it will work for quite a while. The sterilite is about the same size as a 40 breeder.

See that's the thing, though... I know tubs are practical, and I do have a large one suited up and empty, but I hate how I can't actually see my gems. I guess I'm looking for something both practical and good for display... Hrm.. Maybe use the tank, but make a textured background with side panels so that she doesn't feel exposed? I dunno... I'm hesitant to go with a big custom enclosure 'cause they're a little pricey and I'm not too keen on spending that kind of money when she'll outgrow it, you know? If I go a full on 8 footer custom then I'd have to jam pack it with hides because she's just a little baby. Bleh, hard decisions. I guess my pickiness isn't helping, lol.

Unless... Is there a way to put safe sliding plexiglass doors on a large tub? I mean, it's a thought.

I'd ask for a step by step guide of a DIY custom enclosure, but that usually calls for a circular saw, which I do not have... I have a jig saw, though, but that's it. :/

[Kuamata]

Ok! 5 posts! Here she is. She's absolutely stunning to me. Love her coloration. There were some other good looking males, but I wanted a female. Size preference, I know females get bigger. Want me a big gorgeous beauty! <3 If I could of afforded it I would of gotten her a mate, but she won't be ready for that for a while anyways, so I'll worry about that in a year or two. My reptile budget isn't too big at the moment. Looking to have her paid off on the 9th or 16th. Depends on when the shipments for her supplies are going to get here. I expect shipping to be slow around this time of year, so it'll probably be the 16th. :(

http://www.russosreptiles.com/Photos/Available%20Red%20Tail%20Photos/2014%20RTB%20Litters/R3A-B15%20Sunglow%20Female%20Pic1.jpg

[Minkness]

Wow! She IS gorgeous!

What I'd do for a tank is to put a background around 3 sides then use duct tape over the screen lid (both sides so no sticky is exposed). I like to use patterned DT. They have a really nice camo colored one that looks really nice.

As for substrate...other's may disagree and are probably more knowledgeable about it than I am, but a mix of eco earth, coco husk, and reptibark should work nicely, however it's a b***** to clean, so what I do is lay down antibacterial shelving liner (the rubber stuff) first, then the substrate. That way on cleaning day, I just roll it all to the middle, pick it out, whipe the corners out, and put clean back in. =)

This gives you a nice frontal view that is still secure and holds in humidity better than 'just' a tank.

Hope this helps!

[Kuamata]

Wow! She IS gorgeous!

What I'd do for a tank is to put a background around 3 sides then use duct tape over the screen lid (both sides so no sticky is exposed). I like to use patterned DT. They have a really nice camo colored one that looks really nice.

As for substrate...other's may disagree and are probably more knowledgeable about it than I am, but a mix of eco earth, coco husk, and reptibark should work nicely, however it's a b***** to clean, so what I do is lay down antibacterial shelving liner (the rubber stuff) first, then the substrate. That way on cleaning day, I just roll it all to the middle, pick it out, whipe the corners out, and put clean back in. =)

This gives you a nice frontal view that is still secure and holds in humidity better than 'just' a tank.

Hope this helps!

Thanks. :)

Check and check. I've always used either reptibark or cypress mulch(when available) mixed with coco husk for my more tropical reptiles. Cypress Mulch isn't really available around here at this time of year.

I ordered a 3D rock background made of polystyrene, so I'll cut it to size and fit it in there. Also has the added bonus of being good insulation, so my heat won't leak out as bad. I'll probably be using a 20g long.

Got other things to aside from the background, substrate, and food. I already had a UTH and thermostat(can't remember where I got them, I'm not at home to check), but I got about.. 3 or 4 hides. Some vines, both decorative and poseable. A medium sized branch to rub and climb. A soaking dish. Some sphagnum moss... uh... A Reptifogger. I know that may be un-necessary, as they only require up to 60% humidity, but it'll prove useful either as my daily 'mister', so to say, or I can push the dial up if humidity is being sucked up too fast for some reason. It also gives a cool jungle effect with the fog. I was going to go with the Monsoon, but then I read how the humidity gets into the electrical compartment and screws it up, so. :/ ... pretty sure I got some other things I'm forgetting.