About to ask a stupid question... :O

[woahamie]

Um... what's the difference between getting a tank made specifically for reptiles and a fish tank...?

I'm expecting a BP tomorrow and have been reading that rubbermaid tubs are better or vivariums...

I kinda don't want to change the whole setup I have right now.
I have a 20L fish tank with a UTH, two hides and a water dish.
I've turned the UTH on and gonna let it run to see if the temps are good.
Right now it's reading 88.5 on the hot, 77.6 on the cool with 48% humidity.
Anything I need to change?

If anyone is wondering I'm using this as my thermometer/hygrometer. (its wonderful, i have one for my dragon)
Amazon.com: Chaney Instruments Acu-Rite 00891A1 Indoor and Outdoor Thermometer with Humidity: Home & Kitchen (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BO8CUE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=A1FWOG4NHCL26V)

[CK SandBoas]

If you use the tank, make sure the most of the screen top is covered, with either plexiglass or lexan, or else you're going to lose the heat and the humidity.

[franks]

Even if the temps are ok right now I would never run an UTH without a thermosthat

[woahamie]

Even if the temps are ok right now I would never run an UTH without a thermosthat

Any particular brand that you recommend?

[alessia55]

A reptile "tank":

http://www.petsburghonline.com/graphics/products/fish/aquarium/Reptile_tank_2RT-60.jpg

A fish tank used for reptiles:
(note the screen lid)

http://chameleonlovers.com/wp-content/plugins/Wordpress-Magic/MagicContentWizard/cache/lizard_tank_1326641.jpg

A vivarium:

http://www.duncanspetshop.co.uk/wooden%20lizard%20tank2.jpg

A tub setup:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/alessia55/IMAG0191-1-1.jpg

My setup for my 2 ball pythons:

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/544963_3323965213557_2105882192_n.jpg

Vivariums and tubs will hold humidity better (which is essential for ball python health). Humidity needs to never be below 55%, and at upwards of 75% when in shed (up to 90% would be even better). This is hard to do with a fish tank because of the screen top that will release all the humidity.

The enclosure must have a heat gradient. One side of the enclosure (the one with the heat source) will be considered the hot side, and the other side will be considered the cool side. The hot side should be set to be 87-90F, and the cool side should be 77-80F.

You MUST buy a thermostat. A thermostat will control the heat in your enclosure, to make sure your snake is not going to get cooked if the heat source gets too hot. Ball pythons need a heat gradient, and a thermostat will help make the temperatures in the enclosure be exactly here they should be. You can buy a thermostat at a reptile expo, online, or from a reptile-specific company. I use the Boaphile Plastics thermostat myself.

[woahamie]

would this work?
Zilla 1000 Watt Temperature Controller (http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/thermometers-thermostats-and-timers/-/zilla-1000-watt-temperature-controller/)

[dbassa]

What Alessia said...

I too use a 20 long for my BP and I use a hygrofarm heat mat thermostat. You can find them on amazon for about 26 bucks.

Its a digital thermostat so you can set a specific temp. rather than low, med., high etc.

[woahamie]

What Alessia said...

I too use a 20 long for my BP and I use a hygrofarm heat mat thermostat. You can find them on amazon for about 26 bucks.

Its a digital thermostat so you can set a specific temp. rather than low, med., high etc.

ahh, that's what i was looking for. i had read about getting this for geckos, too. thanks!

[alessia55]

would this work?
Zilla 1000 Watt Temperature Controller (http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/thermometers-thermostats-and-timers/-/zilla-1000-watt-temperature-controller/)

I would encourage you to find one where you can actually input a temperature you want, rather than a dial. Digital ones are typically more accurate. Invest in a good thermostat. It's what's keeping your snake from being cooked by a too-hot heat source, or too cold for inadequate heat.

[dbassa]

Youre welcome. Make sure to keep us updated and post pics of your new acquisition!

[CDN_Blood]

There is no such thing as a stupid question. Stupid would be acting *without* asking or doing research first, so you are already on the right track and leaps and bounds ahead of a lot of folks :)

A lot of the choice between tubs or glass depends on the climate where you live, how much time you have to dedicate to your animal and your own personal preference. There is really not any right or wrong for this - it's all about how you care for it in whichever you decide upon as far as I'm concerned.

I rely mostly on ambient room temperature for my snakes, so some are in glass and some are in tubs, but all are monitored carefully to ensure their individual requirements are met within their own enclosures. I opt for the 'snake room' approach, and keep all my herps in the same room, so it's a quite steady atmosphere up there and they all do really well, but some do require additional heat during the day, and some require additional humidity, so I simply govern myself accordingly for each individual.

As long as you're aware of your snake's requirements and are able to meet them, I say the choice is yours as to what you want to keep it. As long as you ensure the animal is secure in it's enclosure and cannot escape and all it's requirements are met, you should have a long and happy relationship regardless of what you opt for in the housing department :)

[woahamie]

There is no such thing as a stupid question. Stupid would be acting *without* asking or doing research first, so you are already on the right track and leaps and bounds ahead of a lot of folks :)

A lot of the choice between tubs or glass depends on the climate where you live, how much time you have to dedicate to your animal and your own personal preference. There is really not any right or wrong for this - it's all about how you care for it in whichever you decide upon as far as I'm concerned.

I rely mostly on ambient room temperature for my snakes, so some are in glass and some are in tubs, but all are monitored carefully to ensure their individual requirements are met within their own enclosures. I opt for the 'snake room' approach, and keep all my herps in the same room, so it's a quite steady atmosphere up there and they all do really well, but some do require additional heat during the day, and some require additional humidity, so I simply govern myself accordingly for each individual.

As long as you're aware of your snake's requirements and are able to meet them, I say the choice is yours as to what you want to keep it. As long as you ensure the animal is secure in it's enclosure and cannot escape and all it's requirements are met, you should have a long and happy relationship regardless of what you opt for in the housing department :)

Living in Miami, FL I would say the humidity is just about right. I have a hygrometer in my room (which is also home to several other animals) and it reads 48%. Maybe in the snake tank it might read higher with the water dish in it.

I think I might stick with the tank for now, but if I see that the temps aren't right I'll switch him over right away. I just bought the Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat For Heat Mats, so that should help if the temps decide to go out of whack, haha.

Thanks for the help everyone!:)

[alessia55]

Living in Miami, FL I would say the humidity is just about right. I have a hygrometer in my room (which is also home to several other animals) and it reads 48%. Maybe in the snake tank it might read higher with the water dish in it.

I think I might stick with the tank for now, but if I see that the temps aren't right I'll switch him over right away. I just bought the Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat For Heat Mats, so that should help if the temps decide to go out of whack, haha.

Thanks for the help everyone!:)

I'm in Miami too, and struggled with humidity having a tank before I switched over to the vivariums I have now. Keep us posted. Hopefully you can make it work and won't have to deal with constant misting, etc. :)

[DeesBalls]

what everyone else said.... thats my "tub" set up :)

[alessia55]

what everyone else said.... thats my "tub" set up :)

and it lives on my website ;)

[DeesBalls]

and it lives on my website ;)

haha cool!! im famous! :P

[MoreliAddict]

Living in Miami, FL I would say the humidity is just about right.

Do you keep your snakes in a room with a/c in it? If so, your humidity will be alot lower.

I'll get right to the point, the BEST way to keep your snake is in a front-opening PVC enclosure, heated by a radiant heat panel which is controlled by a thermostat with a probe which sits on the hot side of the cage (like the two cages Alessia posted above). Your temps will be consistent, and the enclosure will hold humidity very well when you spray it. Also, you're approaching your snakes at their level when you're pulling them out which is how they're comfortable (as opposed to from above).

The one and only setback to this setup is the price...

[Gungirl]

Here is another option if you are handy you can build a wooden viv that is front opening with a radiant heat panel, thermostat same basic thing as in a PVC one..

Here is one I built..

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee454/KAMacie/Vivs/DSCF0512.jpg