View Full Version : My setup
Krissyw84
10-25-12, 03:57 PM
I know someone said maybe if they saw my setup they might be able to help me out... well here it is... Would definitely love any advice... He's currently in his favorite hiding spot...
millertime89
10-25-12, 03:59 PM
it'll need a bigger 2nd hide than the skull before too long and more floor space as well. How are you heating the enclosure?
Gungirl
10-25-12, 04:00 PM
A few things will help you out a lot...
Cover 3 sides of the fish tank with something to give him more security. Don't use a light for heat buy a UTH ( Under the tank heater) and a thermostat to control the heat it puts out. Cover the screen lid with a wet towel or plastic wrap. Change out your substraight to cypress ( it holds humidity better) Don't rely on the stick on thermometers like the ones in the pic.. get a temp gun instead.
After you have done all this your snake will be in a much better home.
Lankyrob
10-25-12, 04:03 PM
What temps and humidity are you keeping the tank at?
Krissyw84
10-25-12, 04:12 PM
Currently I have a light and an UTH for heat. The temp is at 90 degrees right now. But the humidity has dropped down to 40... trying to find my mist bottle now...
Lankyrob
10-25-12, 04:13 PM
What sort of top have yougot? There is a very good chance that the top is whereyour humiditiy is going and bad air retention+bulb is a killer
Krissyw84
10-25-12, 04:17 PM
I have a screen top.. but i put plastic wrap over most of it.. that did the trick til it started getting colder outside...
Lankyrob
10-25-12, 04:20 PM
Lose the bulb, get an under tank heater and cover the whole top and you will have a better chance.
Best bet would be to get a vivarium rather than a fish tank :)
millertime89
10-25-12, 04:22 PM
Corrugated cardboard is a fantastic insulator that you can put on 3 sides. Tubs work really well too for both keeping humidity in and holding heat. Switch to cypress, it holds water really well and really helps with the humidity issue. All of my snakes (my BP and corn snake included) are on cypress.
Krissyw84
10-25-12, 04:24 PM
I'm currently searching on what type i should get right now. I have seen some good ones that are made out of plastic but I don't see how you'd heat it up and all since you can't put UTH's on plastic.. Can anyone recommend a good enclosure... I want one where I can walk by and peek at him... not really feeling the tubs.. I wanna be able to see him.
millertime89
10-25-12, 04:35 PM
Anyone that says you can't put a UTH on plastic is lying to you. Get a good t-stat and you won't have to worry. I just use clear tubs because I like being able to see my snakes too. Smaller boaphiles or animal plastics are always a good choice. AP is running a sale right now a T8 (48x24x12) for 150 for the T3 (36x24x12) for 175 (cuz that makes sense....)
Krissyw84
10-25-12, 04:49 PM
AP is running a sale right now a T8 (48x24x12) for 150 for the T3 (36x24x12) for 175 (cuz that makes sense....)
LOL.. I did see their website. I'm thinking about taking that route.
Careful guys, there is no better insulator than glass, so dont let that be the impetus to switching to plastic or covering the sides with cardboard. Yes, you do need to change your lid, but that alone will solve your heat and humidity issues. Some balls do like to have the sides of the tank covered, but Ive never had a problem with leaving mine uncovered so dont think its by any means essential. I would suggest the change to the UTH as it will keep the warm moist air in the enclosure rather than drawing it up and out of your present set up.
Glass is the WORST insulator there is!! Are you drunk?
Materials are rated based on an index Mykee, called the R-value. Inch for inch glass has the best insulation index of any common building material. An 1/8 inch of glass is better at retaining heat inside the enclosure than 3/4 inch plywood.
Just so you dont have to look it up, here is a table...
R-Value Table (http://www.allwallsystem.com/design/RValueTable.html)
MoreliAddict
10-26-12, 10:50 AM
LOL.. I did see their website. I'm thinking about taking that route.
Go for a PVC cage.
A jerry-rigged fish tank is no substitute for a proper, front-opening, PVC enclosure.
You'll have no issues, and you won't be a slave to your mist bottle to avoid them...
Wow, assuming that chart is correct, I apologize. I was under the impression that glass was a terrible insulator. My apologies.
Lankyrob
10-26-12, 12:04 PM
Wow, assuming that chart is correct, I apologize. I was under the impression that glass was a terrible insulator. My apologies.
It goes against anything i have ever read/been told also. :hmm::hmm::hmm:
Krissyw84
10-26-12, 12:53 PM
Go for a PVC cage.
A jerry-rigged fish tank is no substitute for a proper, front-opening, PVC enclosure.
You'll have no issues, and you won't be a slave to your mist bottle to avoid them...
That's what I've decided to get.
Wow, assuming that chart is correct, I apologize. I was under the impression that glass was a terrible insulator. My apologies.
No worries, I was a little surprised by it the first time I saw it too. Had to find a few more sources to be sure it was true, but it is indeed.
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