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tank setup for a BP

Nomed

Nomed

Aimez le monstre.
Hi, I'm going to a ball python in a few weeks or so and I'm starting to set up the tank. I am using UTHs for heating. The instructions say to put down protective lining to prevent the snake from burning its self and possibly your bedding catching on fire. Ive heard of people using alternatives. I dont want to spend the money on the lining if I can use something I have around the house. Other then something like a ceramic tile what else could i use? I was thinking maybe a layer of wood but then a layer of thick cardboard might be better because it will let more heat through?
also for the first few weeks should i use Desert Snow which the store uses or should I use news paper?'

One more thing its it ok if snakes share the same feeding container (not in it together) Or will one leave a scent or something the other wont like? Expc. cause ball pythons are picky eaters already should I just get her her own feeding tank?


thanks,
Nomed

oh ps. here a pic of the tank
Picture260.jpg

2 hides, a papertowel, roll, and a water dish. I will be adding climbing sticks and I did get a bigger uth.

ahaha one more question
what should i use to steralize sticks? I found some really nice banches perfect for climbing that I want to use.
 
I am no expert on ball pythons, but if that is tape all over the hides and paper towel tube, that could be dangerous for your snake. I know it is not good around corns as they tend to get their nose and eventually body stuck in it. JMHO, susan
 
I made sure to check it reallllllyyyyyyyyyyy good. Its not sticky at all. Its nice and smooth everywhere. I'm like super paranoia with that kind of stuff.
 
Just and observation and pictures don't always give and exact picture the hide on the right sure looks like loose tape to me. It is just not a risk I would take. What is the purpose of the tape? My little ones do fine in tubes (butter containers, whipped cream container, turned over hole cut for opening) just as they are. susan
 
I use cage carpet to create a barrier between the glass and the substrate. My BP's don't dig or burrow, so I only covered the parts of the glass that were over the heater. I think it cost me about $10. I think it's worth it. Cardboard would work, but I prefer the cage carpet. You might be able to find AstroTurf or something similar at a hardware store.
 
I just looked them over no loose tape but some bumps and air bubbles.
The tape makes them washable, they were ends of cardboard soda boxes. I dident even think to use plastic ones like that. :bang: I'm deffitnally going to switch it out now!

I agree its deffitnally not worth the risk though thanks for pointing it out

What about my questions?

thanks, :)
Nomed
 
texastailfeathers said:
I use cage carpet to create a barrier between the glass and the substrate. My BP's don't dig or burrow, so I only covered the parts of the glass that were over the heater. I think it cost me about $10. I think it's worth it. Cardboard would work, but I prefer the cage carpet. You might be able to find AstroTurf or something similar at a hardware store.
Click to expand...


Thanks, Oh, Its only about $10? I'll deffitnally look harder for some then, I thought it was more expencive then that. I was looking in the petstore like last week for it and couldent find it. I'm going back and check this week. If they don't have it I'll make the 1 hr. drive to the other petstore to see if they carry it.
 
Oops sorry! I've baked sticks before but you have to watch them closely to make sure they don't start to burn. I do low heat for a few hours. Make sure the wood itself is not harmful to snake, like with a corn you wouldn't use pine or cedar. The wood pieces I have now I have bought but I do wash them in hot, very hot water and put in the oven for a bit to dry. hope this helps, susan
 
susang said:
Oops sorry! I've baked sticks before but you have to watch them closely to make sure they don't start to burn. I do low heat for a few hours. Make sure the wood itself is not harmful to snake, like with a corn you wouldn't use pine or cedar. The wood pieces I have now I have bought but I do wash them in hot, very hot water and put in the oven for a bit to dry. hope this helps, susan
Click to expand...

Thanks.




Does anyone know about sharing the feeding tank?
 
I wouldnt use desert snow in the future.
I would use regular aspen, the big bag at the rodent aisle, its far cheaper. I would also get rid of the tub, you may think its safe but do not believe it. Seriously if there is doubt there is always a way to harm your snake.
Also, I have never seen a snake really burn itself with an UTH. I would pick up a thermostat for your UTH. This should help you in the long run.

As for your ball feeding. I would get a nice dark container, I use kitty litter buckets to feed mine in. I place the lid on top and leave shy snakes in there. I always wash afterwards so I do not transmit any parasites or diseases.
 
Nomed said:
Thanks, Oh, Its only about $10? I'll deffitnally look harder for some then, I thought it was more expencive then that. I was looking in the petstore like last week for it and couldent find it. I'm going back and check this week. If they don't have it I'll make the 1 hr. drive to the other petstore to see if they carry it.
Click to expand...

It might be worth your while to buy it online. I paid $6.99 for the 10gal size at a pet store, and on this web site it's only $2.49:
http://www.reptilesupply.com/index.php?cPath=38_107
 
I'm deffitnally picking up a thermostat. I know that for sure. Is there something wrong with the desert snow? I think it looks nicer and its the same price as aspen at the store I go to :shrugs:
Now I'm thinking about it the tub is a bad idea it can spill a lot easier and if it gets too hot can melt :x

Thanks for the tip on the feeding tank

Jenn, Thanks for the link! :D
 
Nomed said:
I'm deffitnally picking up a thermostat. I know that for sure. Is there something wrong with the desert snow? I think it looks nicer and its the same price as aspen at the store I go to :shrugs:
Now I'm thinking about it the tub is a bad idea it can spill a lot easier and if it gets too hot can melt :x

Thanks for the tip on the feeding tank

Jenn, Thanks for the link! :D
Click to expand...
I find it to be pricey when I can get a huge bag of aspen for about $4 at a farmer's co-op store.
 
Wow $4? The cheapest big bag of aspen Ive seen is like $15.

Are there any thermostats you would sugguest?
Do I need a fancy one that will sence when it gets too hot and turn its self down and the opposite when it gets too cold. Or do I need a simple one that lets me adjust the power of it?
 
Nomed said:
Wow $4? The cheapest big bag of aspen Ive seen is like $15.

Are there any thermostats you would sugguest?
Do I need a fancy one that will sence when it gets too hot and turn its self down and the opposite when it gets too cold. Or do I need a simple one that lets me adjust the power of it?
Click to expand...

Most animal supplies are cheaper at farm and feed stores. I can buy 12cu.ft. of aspen at my local feed store for $6.

Reptilesupply.com has a pretty good price on thermostats. Thermostats adjust themselves. You set them to a temp and they maintain it. Rheostats are the ones you have to adjust yourself.
 
texastailfeathers said:
Most animal supplies are cheaper at farm and feed stores. I can buy 12cu.ft. of aspen at my local feed store for $6.

Reptilesupply.com has a pretty good price on thermostats. Thermostats adjust themselves. You set them to a temp and they maintain it. Rheostats are the ones you have to adjust yourself.
Click to expand...
Yep, this is the way to go, Farmer stores are the places to go and when you have multiple snakes, its always helpful. I mean, when you have over 45 snakes or more is it lying when you say you are a farmer? ;) I get the big 40 cubic ft bag of horse aspen horse bedding.

And you can get a great Rehostat for your tank for around $25.
 
I have one of the rehostats for Kade it works really good cause I'm a freak about keeping his tempatures perfect. My little sister works at a horse farm so I'll have her ask around to see if anyone knows of a store in my area. I still think the desert snow is more attractive and I only have one other snake but for that price how can you beat it? Would it stress her to switch types of beddings all at once of should I mix then use just aspen for her?

Bummer is I cant order anything online and the cheapest thermostat is about $50 and the rehostat is only about $25. So, should I just use one of those?
 
bump.

still have my question on switching bedding and if i should be ok with a rehostat?

thanks
 
Nomed said:
bump.

still have my question on switching bedding and if i should be ok with a rehostat?

thanks
Click to expand...

You can switch bedding. The snake won't care. But since you already have the desert snow bedding, why don't you use that for now, and then switch to something else next month when you do a full cleaning? The desert snow will be fine for now. There's no sense in wasting it. Just get the less expensive horse bedding next time.

Rheostats are great if you can remember to keep checking the temp and making adjustments. If you have wide temp fluctuations in your home (i.e. if you turn the a/c off during the day like I do), then a thermostat is better because it adjusts itself.
 
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