I'm having trouble preparing for a BP.

Hey · 07-22-13, 10:01 PM

Hi,

I'm looking into getting a Ball Python as my second pet snake. I've had a Corn Snake for the last 3-4 years, so I know the basics of snake keeping at least. I've been doing some researching (okay, mostly browsing various forums and reading care sheets), so I think I know the basics, but I've had trouble getting a suitable setup ready, and what kind of supplies I'd prefer. I have a 10 gallon tank, an UTH (which runs the length of the side), and a CHE with a Zilla temperature controller, bedding, hides, water dish, thermo/hygrometer. I realize that this stuff isn't exactly the most appropiate. My idea at the time was using the heat pad to get a good ambient temperature, and the CHE would create a hot spot, but I'm not sure of this setup, and whether it would work, or what would work. My room's temperature is lower than the ideal cool end temps for Balls, so I think I'd have to heat both ends differently, but I'm really not quite sure what I am doing. I could really use some help.

SnakeyJay · 07-23-13, 03:23 AM

The che will control ambient temp n hotspot itself.. 10gallon is a very small space to have 2 heating devices mate so I'd take out the matt.. You'll struggle to keep a cold end otherwise..

The che should heat the cold end a bit and keep it within the required parameters.

Lankyrob · 07-23-13, 04:07 AM

If its a ten gallon tank then using a che will suck every drop of humidity out of the tank.

If you really want to prepare for the best home for your snake then use a tub or a viv not a tank, everything will be MUCH easier then.

Mikoh4792 · 07-23-13, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

If its a ten gallon tank then using a che will suck every drop of humidity out of the tank.

If you really want to prepare for the best home for your snake then use a tub or a viv not a tank, everything will be MUCH easier then.

Basically this. On my 10 gallon tanks I only use a fluorescent light on top and use an under tank heater. The light alone will dry out the tank very quickly. I would say the undertank heater is sufficient for summer time and if it gets cold in your area in the winter you can supplement the heat with a CHE and something to cover the screen top.

Hey · 07-23-13, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

If its a ten gallon tank then using a che will suck every drop of humidity out of the tank.

If you really want to prepare for the best home for your snake then use a tub or a viv not a tank, everything will be MUCH easier then.

Would a tub have a proper temperature gradient with only an under tank heater?

Terranaut · 07-23-13, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hey

Would a tub have a proper temperature gradient with only an under tank heater?

That would depend on many variables. For a royal the tub is an infinately better option than a ten gallon aquarium.
I would buy a tub and set it all up. Uth on the bottom to one side. Air holes in the sides not the top, add substrate like reptibark or cypress , 2hides ,a water bowl and give it a day or 2 to level out. Then check it for humidity and temps. If they are off, fix it.
Get a tub with a good solid snap locking top.
Once you get the husbandry spot on then get a royal.
I have given this advice to many but few actually listen. You will save a world of frustration by using this method.

Concept9 · 07-23-13, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terranaut

That would depend on many variables. For a royal the tub is an infinately better option than a ten gallon aquarium.
I would buy a tub and set it all up. Uth on the bottom to one side. Air holes in the sides not the top, add substrate like reptibark or cypress , 2hides ,a water bowl and give it a day or 2 to level out. Then check it for humidity and temps. If they are off, fix it.
Get a tub with a good solid snap locking top.
Once you get the husbandry spot on then get a royal.
I have given this advice to many but few actually listen. You will save a world of frustration by using this method.

I listened and it works.

Orangeville-20130618-00195_zps64de4732.jpg

Hey · 07-23-13, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terranaut

That would depend on many variables. For a royal the tub is an infinately better option than a ten gallon aquarium.
I would buy a tub and set it all up. Uth on the bottom to one side. Air holes in the sides not the top, add substrate like reptibark or cypress , 2hides ,a water bowl and give it a day or 2 to level out. Then check it for humidity and temps. If they are off, fix it.
Get a tub with a good solid snap locking top.
Once you get the husbandry spot on then get a royal.
I have given this advice to many but few actually listen. You will save a world of frustration by using this method.

Would Aspen work? What do you use to place the ventilation holes? I bought a Herpstat to use for a heat mat, and it has a probe to measure the temps. Should this be placed outside or inside the tub? My Corn also has one, and I have the probe inside of his warm hide. Could I place different size holes to accomodate temp/stat probes? What size tub would you recommend for a snake up to two feet in length?

Terranaut · 07-26-13, 11:40 AM

Sorry I missed this for a couple days. A uth will heat the air a bit. What is your house temp?

Hey · 07-26-13, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terranaut

Sorry I missed this for a couple days. A uth will heat the air a bit. What is your house temp?

About 75, give or take a couple in the summer, but it cools down to 60 in the winter months.

Mikoh4792 · 07-26-13, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hey

About 75, give or take a couple in the summer, but it cools down to 60 in the winter months.

75 is fine. In the winter I would either heat the room or have a low wattage bulb for ambient air temps(25-40 watt) is all you will need for a tank as small as 10 gallons.

Terranaut · 07-26-13, 03:27 PM

My wife would move out at 60º.
Heat the room to 7?º. This will balance everything out same as summer.

Hey · 07-26-13, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

75 is fine. In the winter I would either heat the room or have a low wattage bulb for ambient air temps(25-40 watt) is all you will need for a tank as small as 10 gallons.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terranaut

My wife would move out at 60º.
Heat the room to 7?º. This will balance everything out same as summer.

So, provided that room temperature remains stable at around 75, the climate inside of the enclosure will be adequate?

Also, I was planning on getting a tub instead of a tank for now (I'll use the 10 gallon for when my Emp gets bigger). The temps will stay sufficient as long as I have heat one side?

Mikoh4792 · 07-26-13, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hey

So, provided that room temperature remains stable at around 75, the climate inside of the enclosure will be adequate?

Also, I was planning on getting a tub instead of a tank for now (I'll use the 10 gallon for when my Emp gets bigger). The temps will stay sufficient as long as I have heat one side?

If you are going to use a tub the heat should be sufficient until Winter. If your room gets to 60F as you say, you should put the tub near some sort of heat such as a heat lamp.

You can hang the heat lamp about 6 inches above the tub and place the thermostat probe directly on top of the tub and set it to "x" temperature so that the cool side gets to 75f+.

Hey · 07-26-13, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

If you are going to use a tub the heat should be sufficient until Winter. If your room gets to 60F as you say, you should put the tub near some sort of heat such as a heat lamp.

You can hang the heat lamp about 6 inches above the tub and place the thermostat probe directly on top of the tub and set it to "x" temperature so that the cool side gets to 75f+.

Cool side temps are supposed to be in the low eighties, no?