My first vivarium questions

[grantlapaz]

The man who helped me out with getting my first setup reccomended these two beddings.

http://i.imgur.com/wKFKS9p.jpg

After I got home I realized that these two probably weren't enough for a 40 gal. He really knew what he was talking about when he gave me all the options, but am I missing something?

It really doesn't seem like these two will be enough for my tank, so just wanted to check here before I try it. Thanks for reading :)

EDIT: Wanted to add on that the snake I am going to have is a young ball python.

[eminart]

If it's not enough, go to Home Depot and buy a $3 bag of uncolored CYPRESS mulch and mix that in.

It can be used alone, but it's maybe not as pretty as the reptile specific beddings.

[grantlapaz]

Thanks a bunch eminart - I put them both in and was very pleasantly surprised as it filled up about 1 1/2 inches. Will definately need extra to fill it more, or at least for cleaning up.

I'm going to have a bunch of other random questions as time goes on, so I'll keep updating this thread.

Question 2: The heat lamp I got doesnt have enough room to clamp on to the edge of the top of the tank, so will it be alright sitting on the wire screen lid? It seems somewhat sturdy, but bends a little when I sit it on top.

http://i.imgur.com/QV9ANE6.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/eOTsLHh.jpg?1
(Sorry for bad quality, didnt have much lighting and was using ipod camera for ease, should of brought out the d7100)

Thanks for the help :D

[sirtalis]

Just use dirt from your backyard, it's free, and works better than any store bought substrate, I recently bought moss from petsmart but it turned out to be some dyed cotton, woven like moss or something, completely unnatural, and way overpriced.

[grantlapaz]

Ok thanks for the info sirtalis, wouldnt of thought of that!! Would that not bring in bugs/mites?

I dont think I'd buy much (besides tanks on sale) from petco/smart as they are way overpriced. The "jungle mix" substrate/moss was 8.99 so I didnt think that was too bad.

[sirtalis]

Monitor Lizard Forums - Bio Active Soil (http://www.varanustalk.com/forum/index.php?pageid=Dirt)
Lol that's why you would put it in the cage, not many people use this method, but personally I think the benefits outweigh the risks.

[grantlapaz]

Monitor Lizard Forums - Bio Active Soil (http://www.varanustalk.com/forum/index.php?pageid=Dirt)
Lol that's why you would put it in the cage, not many people use this method, but personally I think the benefits outweigh the risks.

VERY interesting concept. Do you know if it works well with Ball Pythons, or just snakes in general?

[sirtalis]

Here's a member who uses it on his ball python
http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/python-regius/106541-because-we-all-like-updates.html

and here's my geckos cage
http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/enclosure-reptile-room-showcase/109477-bioactive-planted-leopard-gecko-enclosure.html

[sirtalis]

This summer i plan on getting a snake and will definitely be going the bioactive route

[jjhill001]

VERY interesting concept. Do you know if it works well with Ball Pythons, or just snakes in general?

Is this your first snake ever? I only ask because it's probably best to just get it feeding and healthy before going into advanced stuff like bioactive substrates. They aren't that hard of concepts but it does take extra attention that I think should be spent getting your basic husbandry down before going off experimenting things.

[David VB]

Bioactive FTW ;) Lamp on top of screen lid is doable yes.

[grantlapaz]

Here's a member who uses it on his ball python
http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/python-regius/106541-because-we-all-like-updates.html

Thanks for the info!!

Bioactive FTW ;) Lamp on top of screen lid is doable yes.

Ok thanks for clearing this up. Today is the day that I get him/her! (possibly)


Is this your first snake ever? I only ask because it's probably best to just get it feeding and healthy before going into advanced stuff like bioactive substrates. They aren't that hard of concepts but it does take extra attention that I think should be spent getting your basic husbandry down before going off experimenting things.

Yes, this is my first snake ever, closest I've ever come to owning one was a first grade class pet. :rolleyes: Ty for the tip!!

[grantlapaz]

Ok, so I got the heating set up - Fluker's 8.5 inch "clamp lamp" (http://www.amazon.com/Flukers-Repta-Clamp-Lamp-Switch/dp/B0002DHODG) with a ceramic infared heat emitter (http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Ceramic-Infrared-Emitter/dp/B001F9CV7K) and it's topping off at 89.7 degrees. This is a bit low, correct? If so, what can I do to raise the temps?

I've covered the top of the tank, so no heat is escaping that way.

EDIT: Just checked and saw that it's up to 90.4°. I just have a feeling that when I open the tank for any reason, heat will escape and dramatically lower the temp. Any ideas?

[eminart]

Are you measuring air temperature or surface temperature? How long have you had it set up? It takes quite a while to get the temps stabilized because the substrate has to warm up. Don't worry about opening the top. If you get the temps right, opening the top isn't going to matter, as long as you aren't leaving the top off for hours or something. Any heat lost will be quickly regained.

[grantlapaz]

Are you measuring air temperature or surface temperature? How long have you had it set up? It takes quite a while to get the temps stabilized because the substrate has to warm up. Don't worry about opening the top. If you get the temps right, opening the top isn't going to matter, as long as you aren't leaving the top off for hours or something. Any heat lost will be quickly regained.

I'm measuring what the temp is on the surface, and it's been very slowly climbing (up to 91.6 by now.) It's been plugged up for I'd guess about 5 hours by now. Glad to see it's probably me just being worried. :D I'm going to have to wait for next week sometime to get the snake, so I guess i'll just work out the kinks with the setup until then. I have to get the humidity up some but I figure that wont be too hard. Thanks for all your help so far, wouldnt be this far without you!! :smug:

[eminart]

So, you're getting a BP, right? Are you getting a "normal"? Who is the breeder?

[jjhill001]

Ok, so I got the heating set up - Fluker's 8.5 inch "clamp lamp" (http://www.amazon.com/Flukers-Repta-Clamp-Lamp-Switch/dp/B0002DHODG) with a ceramic infared heat emitter (http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Ceramic-Infrared-Emitter/dp/B001F9CV7K) and it's topping off at 89.7 degrees. This is a bit low, correct? If so, what can I do to raise the temps?

I've covered the top of the tank, so no heat is escaping that way.

EDIT: Just checked and saw that it's up to 90.4°. I just have a feeling that when I open the tank for any reason, heat will escape and dramatically lower the temp. Any ideas?

If the overall temperature of the enclosure is in the 90's than it's too hot.

[grantlapaz]

So, you're getting a BP, right? Are you getting a "normal"? Who is the breeder?

Yes, 99% sure it's just a normal ball. I wasn't told the name of the breeder, pretty sure its a woman though if that helps any.

If the overall temperature of the enclosure is in the 90's than it's too hot.

It's 92.5 on the surface on the hot side. will check the cool side now.

[eminart]

Yes, 99% sure it's just a normal ball. I wasn't told the name of the breeder, pretty sure its a woman though if that helps any.


Cool. I like normals more than a lot of the morphs anyway. If her name is Paige, tell her Scott says Hi.

[grantlapaz]

Cool. I like normals more than a lot of the morphs anyway. If her name is Paige, tell her Scott says Hi.

Thanks, and yeah I agree most morphs just dont appeal to me. Also I'm not in direct contact with the breeder, david is the one talking to her and helping us. I'll ask who the breeder is later

[grantlapaz]

Cool side (surface) is 78.5. Is that too low? seems so

[grantlapaz]

http://i.imgur.com/yqSPcnU.png


Is this accurate?

[Princess-dad]

I go to my local hydroponics store and get a 10 pound brick of compressed coco . Bake block on warm , at least 150° for 2/3 hours should kill any mites in it . Rehydrate block , put coco thru 1/4x1/4 piece of screen wire , to remove any fibers or any unwanted debris . Stir coco over the next few days to dry it out . You now have roughly 10 pounds of coco for $10.00 US. Its a little work but the price is good.

[grantlapaz]

I go to my local hydroponics store and get a 10 pound brick of compressed coco . Bake block on warm , at least 150° for 2/3 hours should kill any mites in it . Rehydrate block , put coco thru 1/4x1/4 piece of screen wire , to remove any fibers or any unwanted debris . Stir coco over the next few days to dry it out . You now have roughly 10 pounds of coco for $10.00 US. Its a little work but the price is good.

Wow, great idea. I'll try it one day, thanks a bunch :D

[Princess-dad]

Monitor Lizard Forums - Bio Active Soil (http://www.varanustalk.com/forum/index.php?pageid=Dirt) I read this link and it advises the use of play sand . I read some wear that play sand can be dangerous to your reptiles . If you decide to use dirt from your yard , please take some type of measures to negate the issue of possible mites in the soil , ie baking or freezing the dirt to kill any live varmints and there eggs. I dont believe the bioactive substrate method is any thing I would risk doing for the health of my reptiles , at least with out a lot of research . And then I still wouldnt do it , just spot clean and do a deep clean and replace the soiled substrate as needed .

[sirtalis]

Think of it like this, if you began to eat a pack of saltine crackers without any water, you'll reach a point where it will be very hard to swallow any more crackers, if you take a sip of water you could keep eating the crackers until they dry out your mouth again, play sand will cause a problem if humidity is low, if your humidity if relatively high there shouldn't be a problem.

[sirtalis]

I highly doubt a north American wood mite would cause many problems for a African reptile,, but that's just my opinion

[grantlapaz]

That's the problem, humidity is waaayyyy low. not even 50. I dont really know what to do. I dont even have a real cover for my tank, just the metal screen on top and I put a towel over that. I haven't tried bioactive yet, but probably wont for the first good while that I have it since others said it's not the best for beginners.

[sirtalis]

You could use tin foil or the saran - wrap plastic sheets, you could also get a glass top made if your using a heat pad for heat

[sirtalis]

It took me 4 years to decide to use bioactive lol I totally understand that it's not for everyone, but I personally love it

[Princess-dad]

I laid my sons corn snake Critter Cage (40 liter I believe was its size) on its side for easier access to the enclosure . I got the hygrometer wet when I misted this morning that's why it so high . Corn snake is in shed right now . I attached a piece of Lexan to the screen top with short machine screws , nuts and washers . You can get a mister like the one pictured to add humidity to your enclosure daily .

[grantlapaz]

It took me 4 years to decide to use bioactive lol I totally understand that it's not for everyone, but I personally love it

It's not that I dont want to do it. I do, its a really cool concept. I just was told it isnt for new reptile owners so I'll wait a while


I laid my sons corn snake Critter Cage (40 liter I believe was its size) on its side for easier access to the enclosure . I got the hygrometer wet when I misted this morning that's why it so high . Corn snake is in shed right now . I attached a piece of Lexan to the screen top with short machine screws , nuts and washers . You can get a mister like the one pictured to add humidity to your enclosure daily .

Oh nice idea, thanks I'll look it up. I have one of those sprayers

[sirtalis]

@op, I totally gotcha, but I was saying it more to princes dad lol
@ princes dad, that's not a bad idea, but it would only work with reptiles that require humidity in the 40-50's, the average household humidity

[Princess-dad]

[QUOTE=sirtalis princes dad, that's not a bad idea, but it would only work with reptiles that require humidity in the 40-50's, the average household humidity[/QUOTE]
You must live in a very humid area . 40/50% humidity in the house must make it miserable inside . I live in California its 91° currently with low to no humidity . If I don't mist daily my enclosures drop to 10% or lower with the basking light on . If I want I can drive the humidity in that pictured enclosure to 80% and keep it there indefinitely . I use coco for just that reason easy to raise humidity easy to allow it to drop . Also I haven't noticed any mold problems with it . The corn snake in the enclosure is currently in shed so its humidity levels are being kept abnormally high , as to aid in the shedding process . So help me understand why it is I can't raise the humidity higher than 40/50% , I kept my Boa in that enclosure until he out grew it and kept the humidity at 60/65% with nothing more than a pillow case on top . I believe the Lexan can out perform a pillow case any day .

[Princess-dad]

[QUOTE=sirtalis
@ princes dad, that's not a bad idea, sorry reprint.

[sirtalis]

I live in Texas, the usual outdoor Temps during the summer is about 90-100 F, and the outdoor humidity is on average 60-80%, my house gets on average with my ac on 41% unless I cover the tops of my cage, the humidity won't go above 40-ish, even if I mist twice per day, because of my high cage temps. If your method works for you, then go ahead and do it, you wouldn't go bioactive, I wouldn't leave a large section of screen showing on a cage :)

[grantlapaz]

You must live in a very humid area . 40/50% humidity in the house must make it miserable inside . I live in California its 91° currently with low to no humidity .


Hahaha I used to live in SoCal and was miserable whenever I visited the south. You get used to the 40-50 inside so quick, you dont even notice it. It's 45% in my tank and cant get it to raise, it needs to be BP ready by thursday. :S

[Princess-dad]

Ya I lived in Southern Illinois growing up summers were nasty . 89°/95° and 70% humidity most days . The hygrometers would read in the rain range , but it just wouldn't rain . The open screen area on the side of the tank measure roughly 3/4"x15"= 11.25 square inches the total screen area is 495 square inches that comes to 2.28% not a very big area at all . Got to have some venting area .