Substrate for Bp's

kronic2005 · 08-20-05, 10:26 AM

Im just wondering what most of you ball lovers (lol) use for substrate. I hear indoor/outdoor carpeting is the cheapest , and easiest to maintain. I will probably end up using that. I dont really know if i would like to use any other kind of gravely or mulchy type stuff at the bottom, cuz its a b!tch to clean out . Any suggestions?

thunder · 08-20-05, 03:22 PM

Gravel is not good. I use carefresh, which is actually not hard to clean at all because it clumps well. Aspen, which I don't use because it gets everywhere, is even easier to clean because you can suck it up with a shop vac. Carpeting or astro turf is only really good for snakes that don't hide much, like thamnophis. It's only real advantages is that it is easy to replace if you have a snake species with a fast metabolism, like the aforemenioned genus, or cribos. Snakes with slower metabolism, like boids, are better off with a loose substrate.

pythonmdk · 08-20-05, 03:44 PM

indoor carpet is acutally pretty bad, holds in bacteria pretty good and falls apart and could couse some problems, I use newspaper or paper towel tha's the easiest and cheapest but the other suggestions are good too.

Princess Erica · 08-20-05, 04:54 PM

You just have to be sure you disinfect the Astroturf very well between uses. Having 2 sheets (so you can put a clean one in while you clean the soiled one) helps.

Also, if you're using a UTH, be sure to put some newspaper between the Astroturf and the glass (if your tank is glass) because the bottom of the Astroturf gets gummy from the heat and sticks to the glass so when you peel it up, it leaves black goop all over the bottom of the tank. I used Astroturf for a long time until I decided that newspaper was easier since I could just toss it when soiled.

kronic2005 · 08-20-05, 05:23 PM

Thanks guys. your great help. okay one more question, say i get a melamine enclosure, how am i soposed to heat the enclosure with an UTH, every1 is telling me that the heat cannot make it though the melamine wood and barely any heat gets into the enclosure? Any help or suggestions?

End Times · 08-20-05, 06:11 PM

I too would highly recommend newspaper. When a snake poops, just roll it up and toss it away, nothing simpler. And it's free...

Some UTH can penetrate melamine. But if you're keeping BP's, why not just use rubbermaids for housing? Most people always want to start out with aquariums or something so they can "view" their snake, I was guilty of that notion myself actually. But, in reality, BP's aren't the best for "display animals". They're kinda shy, they're nocturnal, and for the most part aren't extremely active. They do much better in rubbermaids, husbandry and cleaning is easier with rubbermaids, and really as I said they aren't the best for display, more of a "handle once in awhile friendly snake, but the rest of the time leave 'em in peace type snake" LOL!

Anyway, if you're deadset on the melamine enclosure, maybe look into radiant heat panels. I'm not sure if that would be the best way, as I use rubbermaids myself obiously, but I would assume that would be your best bet. I'm sure one of the boa keepers (who usually use melamine enclosures) would be able to give you better advice in regard to that.

kronic2005 · 08-20-05, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by End Times

I too would highly recommend newspaper. When a snake poops, just roll it up and toss it away, nothing simpler. And it's free...

Some UTH can penetrate melamine. But if you're keeping BP's, why not just use rubbermaids for housing? Most people always want to start out with aquariums or something so they can "view" their snake, I was guilty of that notion myself actually. But, in reality, BP's aren't the best for "display animals". They're kinda shy, they're nocturnal, and for the most part aren't extremely active. They do much better in rubbermaids, husbandry and cleaning is easier with rubbermaids, and really as I said they aren't the best for display, more of a "handle once in awhile friendly snake, but the rest of the time leave 'em in peace type snake" LOL!

Anyway, if you're deadset on the melamine enclosure, maybe look into radiant heat panels. I'm not sure if that would be the best way, as I use rubbermaids myself obiously, but I would assume that would be your best bet. I'm sure one of the boa keepers (who usually use melamine enclosures) would be able to give you better advice in regard to that.

You make a very excellent point there, boy am i glad you posted

I think im going to keep my 2 new bp's in a 10 gal for the first 6 months or so, then move them to a 20-25-30 gal tank for the next year or soo until they have had their growth spurt and then finally move them to a rubbermaid, Im just wondering what size rubbermaids you use for ur bps. and what you use to keep the lid down( i know i could use anything, but wondering what you use) cuz im pretty sure a adult bp could push the lid off of a rubbermaid fairly easily. And im geussing you dont use any lighting just heatpads and thermo/humid stats? You saved me about 100$ on making a melamine enclosure

thanks. post some pics of your snakeys if ya can. Thanks again

Shaun, p.s how do i post pics? ive tried to figure it out, and wen i click the add photo button it asks for a html or some kinda wierd **** with lotsa tags and crap.

pythonmdk · 08-20-05, 08:33 PM

I'd say go with a rubbermaid model #2218 for a baby under 300 grams, after that graduate with a model #2221 and that works great for me. I use a rack system but you could go with a similar sized container with a locking top or use s hooks to hold the top on. Either way good luck, plus this will save you lots on cages. You could go with a bigger rubbermaid, can't remember the model number but it is around 38 inches long by 20 I think and has a double hinge top. Works ok for my buddy but my guys eat better in the 2221 model.
John

End Times · 08-20-05, 08:36 PM

I would suggest just using rubbermaids from the get go. For adult BP's, I use sterilite model #1856, you can get them at any Walmart. Not 100% sure of the measurments off hand, but I think their something like 23" long, 17" wide, and 5.5" high. Sounds small, I know, but trust me adult BP's are plenty comfy in them. I just use UTH, no lights. I'll actually be building a rack on Monday though, but even then it will use the same sterilite tubs as I have now. Currently, I use bolts and wingnuts to keep the tops secured. Just drill holes through the lip of the container and the lid, pass a bolt up through it, and fasten the wing nut. It gets a little time consuming getting the snakes in and out, but at least you're GUARANTEED they ain't gonna get out on ya....

As for posting pics, you have to host them elsewhere like on www.photobucket.com and then copy and paste the image tag into your post.

I just recently got a digi-cam, so don't have many pics yet, but here's one of my boys:

kronic2005 · 08-20-05, 08:52 PM

hes a beaut! very nice shaped as well! Thanks for all the great advice. I think im still gonna house him in a tank for the first year and a bit, i like looking at them alot, by then i wont be as infatuated with him and stare at him so much, and ill be able to put em in a rubbermaid, Also, if you could post some pics of your rack system and stuff like that, it would be a greatttt help. I plan on building a cheapass rack system from just lumber that i can get a home depot, and screw it together and voila i got a rack !

. Let me know about any rackbuilding system you got as well. Thanks for all the help again!

mykee · 08-21-05, 09:43 PM

Kronic, check out my racks at www.strictlyballs.ca/snakerack.html and if you have any questions, feel free to PM or e-mail me.

End Times · 08-22-05, 07:18 AM

In the General Enclosure section of this site, there's a "How To" topic that is pinned. Go in there, and check out the rack in the bottom link. That's exactly what I'm building. I've got everything for it now except the heat tape. And due to the fact that the tubs involved in the construction are the ones I already use, it just seemed to make sense to use these plans.

Like Mykee said, he's got some awesome racks on his site. His idea of building several stackable mini racks is killer, and originally I planned to steal his idea. Unfortunately, I'm not very handy and I fear a rack of my own devising would crumble! LOL! So, that's why I decided to go with the one in the "How To" as there's step by step instructions and pics to help you along the way. If you do have any carpentry skills whatsoever though, and are confident you can draw up a plan that will actually work, I'd highly suggest building them like Mykee's. The best thing about doing it his way, is you can choose to only heat certain mini-racks while unplugging others, which will save you big bucks in hydro. No sense heating bins that are empty....