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 #2042110


Kyoss
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 New RTB setup video.

This is what i got so far with a small budget. Link

She is in a 55gl tank, and the sensor for the thermostat is not is an accurate spot or i set it up wrong.. but i am going to move that later today. Any suggestions would be nice.. kinda need help with keeping the heat right and i dunno if there is a good thing that will keep the temp at a set temp.. and also trying to keep the humidity up.
07/20/09  11:22am

 #2045027


Suzuki4life
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   Message To: Kyoss   In reference to Message Id: 2042110


 New RTB setup video.

Your cage is far from ideal

If you want a display cage, get your money ready. You will be either building or buying.

My boas are in the a copy of the VE175 tub from Reptiletubs.com


perfect size for an adult 8 ft boa is roughly 4x2x12"or15"

They don’t need height.

Their temp gradient should be 80-mid 90’s

I have ran my cages at 85-87 (ambient) on one end and room temp at the opposite for almost a decade without issue and babies every year...


You can find the tub I mentioned at walmart around Xmas time for about $25-30

Will be listed as a Xmas tree box.

Add some flexwatt to one end heating about 2’ of the bottom. Water is essential

Over 2’ in length and hides are not needed,neither are the plants.

Use plain newspaper for substrate.

So to summarize


Buy a tub....drill some holes in the sides for air.....add flex watt and a thermostat...reuse your water bowl...add newspaper, water bowl and snake to tub....

snake will be happy
07/25/09  11:18am

 #2045566


Fairy Frog Mother
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   Message To: Suzuki4life   In reference to Message Id: 2045027


 New RTB setup video.

98 degrees even in the hot spot is too warm. There is no way you can keep her humidity up with that much heat, in a screen top cage. (With temperatures lower on one end if you live in the south where the humidity is high, perhaps you could)

Tubs do work great for some folks. I like to be able to see my snakes, and have a more naturalistic looking display tank. (which I think is what you are going for here) If I had more than 5 snakes to care for, I would definitely need/want a tub/rack system just to be able to keep it sanitary. (Naturalistic enclosures require a lot more maintenance as you need to fully clean everything out once a month to keep it healthy and prevent respiratory infection, which boas are susceptible to.

Do you have a hydrometer? And, that set up is just barely big enough for that snake right now...it will soon outgrow it. You want 1 sq foot of floor space per foot of snake.
07/26/09  11:08am

 #2045574


Fairy Frog Mother
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   Message To: Fairy Frog Mother   In reference to Message Id: 2045566


 New RTB setup video.

Oh oh, sorry forgot the important part about heat!!! Thermostat baby. You can get them for around 40 bucks at pet stores. You plug it into the wall and plug your heat lamp into it. It has a probe, which I set in the hot side of my tank, and set it for 87*. When the tank goes above 87, it shuts off. It rocks my world. The one I have has been a godsend.

Also, Might I suggest an infrared heat lamp? Then...you don’t need the black light, or the other light. Snakes just need to know its day or night, and you can do that by letting light in a window in the room. (Other reptiles need full spectrum lighting, not snakes though) You can get a red light that fits in that same hood you have there for under ten bucks. Get a spare soon as you can as they do burn out.

You also should have a gradient in that tank that remains on the same side of the tank, so your snake can thermoregulate. Cool side should be 75-80, hot 85-88. The cat box hide, and the plants are fine. I use vinegar rather than a bleach solution as its non toxic. Bleach is fine, just rinse everything really really well after! ( a pillowcase works great for containing the snake - tied in the open end- while you clean the tank if you don’t have someone to hold her while you do it)

If you are having issues with humidity being too low, (very common with screen covered tanks) Cover 85% of that screen top! You can use some plastic signage sheet, or heck, even Aluminum foil will do- though I found it difficult to keep in place. Some tape would solve that, but I would set the tongs on it and end up ripping it...the plastic sheet ( not film, this stuff is 1/16-1/8 inch thick) solved my humidity issues.

And again, that’s a small enclosure for it. If money is an issue, a tub is a cheap, safe and husbandry appropriate way to go. How do you folks with Tubs heat them? Then, you can save up to build or buy a larger enclosure (4’long X 2’ deep X 18" tall Minimum)
07/26/09  11:25am

 #2045957


Kyoss
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   Message To: Fairy Frog Mother   In reference to Message Id: 2045574


 New RTB setup video.

This video is way old and alot of changes have been made. The 98 degree temp wasn’t right either, it was in the hide box right on the heat pad with a hot basking light on it.. so it was getting hot. I’ve got a bigger water bowl. About 2in or 3in of aspen. Better plant location, Still no themostat but i have no money right now, so if you guys tell me to buy stuff it’s going to have to wait. I have a low budget, and i need to find a thermostat thats good and cheap.. possible one from walmart. I know have aluminum foul at the top and a spot where the light goes (hard to explain) and a smaller bulb that provides enough heat to keep the temp on the basking side about 86-90 all day, and night time doesn’t go under 80 on the basking side, and prob about 75 on the cool side, but the basking side has a heat pad which probably keeps the hide about 85 at night. The setup is way dif now though.. Only one light for the day, and no night time light, no more towel because i fixed the humidity using the aluminum foul and she likes here new bigger water bowl.
07/27/09  03:12am

 #2045959


Kyoss
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   Message To: Kyoss   In reference to Message Id: 2045957


 New RTB setup video.

New link, newer setup, a few changes since then but not many. Link
07/27/09  03:14am

 #2046191


Suzuki4life
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   Message To: Kyoss   In reference to Message Id: 2045959


 New RTB setup video.

if your cage fogs up, you have too much humidity and your boa will probably get a respiratory infection...

light that close to the water really exaggerates evaporation....then you capture it with the top being closed in....

so in other words....if you have problems....try moving the light toward the right of the cage.


second....does the boa use the hide box? If not...why have it?
07/27/09  04:32pm

 #2046563


Kyoss
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   Message To: Suzuki4life   In reference to Message Id: 2046191


 New RTB setup video.

She uses it every now and then. But it really don’t take up much room at all.. I mean i might consider moving it. The only time my glass fogs up is after i mist the tank, and it will stay fogged for about 30min to and hour and go away. The humidity is always kinda low, like higher 40’s.
07/28/09  09:08am

 #2046764


BooBoo
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   Message To: Kyoss   In reference to Message Id: 2046563


 New RTB setup video.

I will post a pics once I get moved into my new house, but imo, save your money, buy or build a good tank and heat it right. One of my enclosures holds my 8’ pastel rtb. It cost me around $500 for materials(plexi-glass is expensive, plus I took it to the glass company and they installed the glass, sliding tracks and lock), but my dad built it(for free)! I also like to be able to view my snakes(so do my friends), and they are throughout my house. I’m a neat-freak, so all my cages are like nice pieces of furniture! It does require more cleaning/dusting,etc., but it’s worth it to me. Why have beautiful snakes if you can’t enjoy watching them soak or stretch out, or even look back at ya? LoL

Kellie
Kritter Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation™
07/28/09  03:58pm

 #2047590


Kyoss
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   Message To: BooBoo   In reference to Message Id: 2046764


 New RTB setup video.

Yea i just resently moved here to newspaper because she had a mite problem, so i sprayed her with reptile releif and did all the stuff to get rid of the mites ( Washing the decor, Waterbowl, Tank ) Then i let here soak in the reptile releif for a bit then soaked her in some water to get her dehydrated. She has pleanty of decor fake plants in there and a nice big water bowl. I also took out the hide, because she don’t really ever use it, so that gives here a nother foot of floor room to enjoy. It’s mostly temporary, but that’s all i can afford because I’m myself poor and so is my family. So i can’t buy really nice and alot of nice things like alot of people can, because it’s really hard to get money around here.
07/29/09  09:56pm

 #2048377


Suzuki4life
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   Message To: Kyoss   In reference to Message Id: 2047590


 New RTB setup video.

My view on this...yes nice pretty cages are nice...for you

but remember, to your boa YOU are a predator

viewing you or a dog or anything too big for it to eat is stressful. It wants to hide...

So yes under these circumstances, the plants and decor are good...

However...people with pretty cages tend to neglect keeping them clean...which as you have learned can lead to fun stuff like mites.

everything is a double edged sword...

I use tubs...if I bring in a new animal, I put them on super bright white cheapo plain paper towels...

mites are SUPER easy to spot on this substrate, it is cheap and very noticable when it becomes soiled...all things crucial in taking care of a newly adopted animal.

Also over head heating tends to kill humidity. For lizards that require hot spots, there really isn’t much a of a choice....however snakes will do better and humidity is easier to achieve and regulate with BELLY heat.
07/30/09  10:11pm

 #2048915


Kyoss
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   Message To: Suzuki4life   In reference to Message Id: 2048377


 New RTB setup video.

Don’t Say i gave it mites. The owner before me never cleaned or took care of the snake or it’s tank. So a few days after i got all the new stuff in his tank i noticed she had mites. So don’t say i gave it to her, and that i don’t clean or don’t take care of my animals. In fact, i clean all my plants one to two times a week as well as new water everyday, and new substrate every 3 weeks. She’s not stressed because the only one she ever sees is me and thats rare. She has been around enough humans to not feel any kind of threat to her.

You said" However...people with pretty cages tend to neglect keeping them clean...which as you have learned can lead to fun stuff like mites. " Don’t say i Have Neglected Keeping the cage clean, and That i have learned from not cleaning that i gave her mites.. Don’t blame people when you don’t know how they care for there animals. My snake is in perfect cage, besides the fact the tank is a little small, but that will be fine for now. My Tank is always clean, always clean fresh water, Holding her everyday with no problems. She has stopped being in the water bowl 24/7 like she used to because i have removed the mites from her with reptile releif and have done the right thing to remove them.. they weren’t even much of a hassle.
07/31/09  08:58pm

 #2049826


Suzuki4life
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   Message To: Kyoss   In reference to Message Id: 2048915


 New RTB setup video.

so you adopted a neglected animal and did not think of putting it through a quarantine stage?

You don’t think that handling your snake puts it through stress?

You don’t think that changing the odors in your animals cage "one to two times a week" is stressful?


I think you need to do more research

you jumped into owning an animal with very little information on its care and you are lucky that you chose a very resilient and hardy animal or these mistakes could have killed it.
08/02/09  09:37pm

 #2049877


The_2nd_baseman
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   Message To: Suzuki4life   In reference to Message Id: 2049826


 New RTB setup video.

ok now im jumping in, you think holding a snake stresses it out, ok for the first couple of times ya until it gets used to being held. I have a cage with lots of plants and clean them every week and have had no probs with anything do to a dirty cage or to many scents. I like to see my snakes and I dont think haveing a snake and not being able to see it, hold it and enjoy it then you need to rethink why you have one.



08/02/09  11:01pm

 #2049903


Suzuki4life
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   Message To: The_2nd_baseman   In reference to Message Id: 2049877


 New RTB setup video.

what you enjoy or why you have the snake has no bearing on how it affects the animal.

And I never said it "stresses it out", I said it stresses (ie: adds stress) the animal.

Some exotics don’t handle stress as well as others. Stress can be fatal to many exotics.

and once again, changes in their environment may not be noticeable to you but they are to your animal.
08/03/09  12:10am

 #2050915


Kyoss
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   Message To: Suzuki4life   In reference to Message Id: 2049903


 New RTB setup video.

My snake is fine. It wasn’t so much Neglected, as the previous owner didn’t no how to take care of it. So i took her in, and now she is doing good. Perfect temps, humidity, Fresh water ever other day, 2 week feedings of jumbo rats, She is on newspaper now, as she did have mites, and she has stopped spending days in the water bowl, and i haven’t spotted any on her, on the newspaper, or in the water when she goes for a drink or little bath. She has plenty of decor, big water bowl, Heat mat, and all that. She is fine so get off my about it. Stop coming in and started stuff because in your eyes im doing something wrong, Your just one of many that owns a boas.. and just YOU saying something doesn’t mean a thing. Many people care for there boas different ways, some not as good as others, and some are outstanding but it’s how that person does it, so shut your face and stop talking. I’m done replying to this post, as there are some on it.. probably even leave this forum and talk to the people at redtailboa net because they are much nicer, and they don’t talk , they actually try to help instead of blab there mouth off to someone.
08/04/09  05:23pm

 #2051117


Suzuki4life
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   Message To: Kyoss   In reference to Message Id: 2050915


 New RTB setup video.

next time you need help feel free to stop by...


thanks for the laugh
08/04/09  10:24pm

 #2063262


DeerHunter
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   Message To: Suzuki4life   In reference to Message Id: 2051117


 New RTB setup video.

I find it funny how I read all these posts about people buying, wanting to buy or taking in a snake and then they claim to have no money. They talk about not being able to buy the basics for the sanke. People really? Do some research before you buy a snake that wil get as big as a RTB or bigger. I have one of mine in a 40 gallon breader tank and the other in a 30 gallon tank. I have already started working on plans to build the bigger snake a bigger tank. Why, so I don’t get into a spot where I don’t have the extra cash to build one. I am then going to move the smaller RTB into the 40 gallon breader tank. I have been reading a lot of posts and have just seen too many where people ask for advice then say.....well I am poor and don’t have the money, then don’t buy the snake. If you want a snake that is going to need the number of tanks that a RTB is going to need, then save up the money and get everything else to house it, then buy the snake. Just my 2 cents.
08/25/09  12:11pm

 #2063472


PapaSmurf
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   Message To: DeerHunter   In reference to Message Id: 2063262


 New RTB setup video.

Quote:

I find it funny how I read all these posts about people buying, wanting to buy or taking in a snake and then they claim to have no money. They talk about not being able to buy the basics for the sanke. People really? Do some research before you buy a snake that wil get as big as a RTB or bigger.



I agree completely. I researched for over a month before finally deciding what i wanted for a snake, and made sure to buy temporary enclosures prior to purchasing the snakes.

I have guages, and monitors all over the place monitoring temp, and humidity in 4-5 zones in each cage, and once I finish my permanent enclosure that number of sensors will likely double.

Granted everyone takes care of their snakes differently, and provides their snakes with different levels of decor, and such, but ultimately, if you find yourself saying "I can’t afford....." then perhaps a snake isnt the best pet for you.

I know that in many of my posts on the enclosures forum, i make mention of getting "free" materials from friends and neighbors for my cage, but its definately not because I can’t afford to build my snakes a decent habitat, is simply because I do favors for my neighbors and in return when stuff becomes available, they are more than happy to simply give it to me. And for this reason I am able to build an enclosure that is perhaps far more extravagent then I otherwise would have been able to build.

but really, what it comes down to is, if you can’t afford to house/feed/care for your snake properly, then consider offering your snake to someone who can, and who will.

Leon.
08/25/09  09:00pm


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