How's my BCI setup?

sassamagoo · 06-23-09, 01:27 PM

Hey everybody, just thought I'd post a few pics of my current set-up for my baby BCI. Hoping some of you experienced herp fans can let me know if it looks okay or not. (1 pic without flash and one with)

And yes, I'm working on getting a digital thermometer/humidity sensor and such. Dual inputs, right? The one in the pic will have to do for a little longer, came with the set up kit, but I've been updating and adding things as I learn more.

Thanks!

Sass

Will0W783 · 06-23-09, 02:00 PM

Is that sand you are using as substrate? If so, get it out FAST. Sand can get up into their belly scales and cause irritations which can become infected. Also, if they swallow the sand it is very impacting. I recommend cypress bark (Keeper's Choice) or a tank liner, or aspen bark. I personally use Keeper's Choice on all my snakes that need a decent (40% or more) humidity level and aspen bark on my desert snakes.

sassamagoo · 06-23-09, 02:10 PM

Actually, its paper towel for right now. That was recommended to me for starting, for easy clean up and getting used to how the snake's urates and poo looks, so when we switch to regular substrate, we know what to look for.

I'll keep your recommendations for substrate in mind though, as it will probably be fairly soon we'll switch to a substrate like cypress bark.

Will0W783 · 06-23-09, 02:11 PM

Ok cool. Now I see it- it was hard to tell at first. Paper towel or newspaper is great! Good job- it looks like he will be quite happy in there

jonnyv · 06-23-09, 04:12 PM

Looks pretty good to me. Why are their two lamps though? Boas don't require any UV lighting. It is debatable among owners whether it aids in the snakes health or not.

I have 8 Boas, and I only use red or blue heat lamps, or under the tank heaters or a combination of both.

Thanks for sharing the pics.

sassamagoo · 06-23-09, 05:57 PM

One is a day lamp heat light, one is "Neodymium Moonlight Lamp" made by Exo Terra. I guess its a blue/purple heat lamp. I don't have any undertank heating pads, so I use the night light to heat him at night. It gives off almost no light but seems to give pretty consistent heat, slightly lower than day temps.

So, are you basically saying I could use just the night lamp? I thought they needed obvious light changes to help simulate day and night. I've also heard differing opinions on whether undertank heat pads work well or not. Whats your experience with them?

Will0W783 · 06-23-09, 06:21 PM

I use a few undertank heating pads, but I don't recommend them unless you have a thick bedding. Paper towels make it too easy for the snake to push them aside and get directly on top of the pad which can cause nasty burns. I had an infrared heat lamp on my BP for a while, until it broke. If your snake is in a room where there is a window that throws decent light in, you probably don't need the daylight lamp. But if it is a fairly dark room, it is good to have one. They do best with a 12 hour light/dark cycle, and if you are really diligent you can shorten the light during the winter months. A shortened light/dark cycle and cooler temps are necessary to initiate breeding, but if you aren't breeding the exact timing of the light isn't really crucial as far as I know. I'd keep things as they are unless it's getting too hot in there.

**Aaron_S** · 06-23-09, 09:44 PM

You know what works easiest? Heat pads with a thermostat. Don't need to worry about a thick layer of substrate when the pad isn't allowed to get hot enough.

Speaking of temperatures, even if you use that thermometer that you've got stuck to the side of the tank it won't read anything important. Your boa is moreso a terrestrial boa. It won't be hanging off the wall next to the thermometer. You need to move it to where the snake will be basking to get it's heat. It doesn't bask in mid-air.

Smilts · 06-24-09, 04:00 AM

Actually I recently saw a picture of a boa hanging from a thermometer just like that!! I prefer under tank heaters on a thermostat, and I prefer a temp gun to check my heating with.

Also you have a very nice looking setup, I to thought at first it was sand but congrats on using paper towel at first so you can watch and make sure everything is ok.

sassamagoo · 06-24-09, 07:40 PM

Ironic that you say that Coy, because my boa has knocked his down by hanging on it a couple times too. That was actually part of why I moved it a little higher. I had it right near the bottom of the enclosure, but he kept climbing on it and knocking it down. I'm hoping that now that I have his big stick in there and other "furniture" for him, he'll leave it be, lol.

So btw Aaron, I did move it lower again. But still working on digital thermometer/hygrometer, I'll probably have to order online as my local pet supply stores haven't had any.

**Aaron_S** · 06-24-09, 09:18 PM

Well yeah no matter what he does to it you need to keep it lower. Personally I never attached mine to the inside of an enclosure when I used ones like yours. I just tossed them into the spots when I needed a reading and then took them out. Much easier to buy one and move it around. Still better to use a digital though.

carciady · 07-04-09, 09:31 AM

I use red bulbs day and night, with a day night dimming thermostat, they get enough day light through my windows. As for BCI's climbing yes they do, this is why I use the day night thermostat.