I have a rainbow boa in a top opening aquarium that I modified, its working great, but we are definitely building the enclosure that drumcrush posted the link to once we find a place that sells malamine...our lowes does not carry it...glad you ordered a thermostat
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good luck, dear! don't take anything to heart, you are doing everything you can to make sure you provide within your means...I know how it is, I had to scrape and borrow to get some things when I first started...but everyone here gave me great advice, and I am glad I followed it!