Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey, I am really loving the way a BRB looks so much... Could yall just give me a list of some really good stuff I need to buy. I know I need to keep the temps around 85, lots of humidity. I need a decent hydrometer, I have a themometer with a probe and I need a good cage. Could yall just tell me what all is some good stuff for me to get started please... thanks

Good decision. They're excellent pets. Here's a basic starter package for a baby:

1 x 10-gallon tank (preferably with wood or glass top to keep in a little humidity) (cost = $25 - $30)

1 foot of 11" Flexwatt heat tape clip set and cord set for heat tape. This can be prchased online at http://www.beanfarm.com/cgi-bin/store/agora.cgi?user4=Heating&cart_id=3034592.4294*165o64&xm=off&ppinc=heat (cost = $6.10)

A proportional thermostat to control the temperature in the warm end of the cage. I like the Helix DBS 1000 and the Herpstat from Spyder Robotics. Both are proportional thermostats meaning that they allow small amounts of heat to be released. They're not just on/off. They can also be purchased onlne at http://www.beanfarm.com/cgi-bin/store/agora.cgi?user4=Temperature&cart_id=3034592.4294*BG46w5&xm=off&ppinc=temp (cost = Helix @ $135 and Herpstat @ $109)

Temperature gun to instantly measure temps of cage and animal. I use the PE 1 from tempgun.com but there are lots on the market (cost = $25)

You may want to buy some plastic plants or other decorations to dress the inside of the cage. Make sure you have a water dish that is large enough for the animal to soak itself in (water dish on cool side of the enclosure).

This should get you started. If you have any other questions please ask. I have a detailed care page on my website (below) and I'd also be happy to send you a pdf. file of my caresheet (just send me an e-mail and I'll include it in my reply).

Oh and one more thing, Buy from a reputable breeder!!!!
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Mike Lockwood
www.tooscaley.com

Everything seems okay except for a few things. I have a digital thermometer with a probe that I use with my igs, could I use this instead of a temp gun? I dont know where I can get a glass top for a 10 gallon aqaurium all I can find is the metal mesh or screen mesh. On the termostat thing I presume you use with the flexwatt tape, could I just use the Alife electronic temperature controller? I know this is the cheap way out and its the last thing you want for a pet is the cheap way out would this be okay?? Who around here has paypal and breeds these little guys often. I want a juvenile that can take down small mice, cause im about to start breeding mice and rats...

Your digital thermometer for your igs is probably fine. I'd like to try and talk you into into helix or herpstat thermostat. They are certainly more expensive but you can use them later when you switch to a larger enclosure.

Remember that 10-gallon is for a baby and it will last about a year. Yearlings can go in a 20 - 30 gallon tank.

Be a little creative for the top of your cage. Remove whatever top it comes with and cut a piece of plywood to fit it. Cut the plywood in half lengthwise and attach the two pieces with hinges. Silicone the back half to the cage. The front will open and close nicely. You'll have to do something to make it escape proof.

Take a little time to get the enclosure set up nice. Make sure all of your temps are good before you buy ypur animal. There are always nice baby BRBs available and you can usualy find yearling as well. Don't be in a hurry. when you're ready, we'll be able to hook you up with a nice snake. Some breeder websites to look into are:

tooscaley.com
raibowboas.com
rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com
easternindigos.com
headhunterreptiles.com
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Mike Lockwood
www.tooscaley.com

I have a spare 10 gallon with me at home, im currently breeding rats Lol, I know it will probably be another month before I get everything ready. I have a big bag of woodchips and I would like to use those as substrate cause they hold water real well. There isnt anyother kinda of heat pad I could use?? I know with the kind of top yall are wanting me to make there is no room for heat lights. heat lights arent needed for these guys??? I will make his enclosure so good looking, I have beeen looking forwar to these guys for very long ^_^

Quote "I have a big bag of woodchips and I would like to use those as substrate cause they hold water real well."

Just avoid cedar and redwood as they are toxic to reptiles.

Quote "There isnt anyother kinda of heat pad I could use??"

Big Apple Herp sells a product called Herp Heat. It's the same thing as flexwatt. For the type of enclosure you are thinking of setting up, these are your best options.

Quote "heat lights arent needed for these guys???"

No. Some people use them but if you heat with lights or ceramic heaters make sure 1) your snake can't come in contact with them. They can burn your animal. 2) that they are warming the bottom of your snake's cage. This is where the animal will spend the majority of it's time.
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Mike Lockwood
www.tooscaley.com

Yes the wood chips are cypress(just looked at my order awhile back) I have abotu 20 more lbs of it so I think I have plenty. I am going to get everything you suggested on that site except for the temp gun, I have a hydrometer/ themometer and then I have another themometer with a probe. Could you just explain to me how all that works together to keep the heat pad at a certain temp. I found a metal screen heavy duty screen top for my 10 gallon and im going to get the plywood like you said and maybe drill screws through the metal onto the plywood and cut off the remaining screw tips. As for the time being I might as well order some frozen pinkies somewhere from a site, will all these guys accept a frozen pinkie??? What kinda sprayer do yall use for your cages?

The heat pad or other element is controlled by a thermostat. Place the probe either on the element itself or in the cage. If placed on the element, you will have to set the thermostat some number of degrees higher to get the desired temp in the cage. Monitoring the temps will tell you what exactly to set the thermostat at. Wherever you polace the probe, make certain it is secured in place and can't move or your temps could be affected.

The temp gun and/or thermometer only tell you what the temps are. IMO the temp gun is invaluable for checking temps as you can check temps anywhere in the cage, even the surface temp of the animal itself.

Some will tell you daily spritzing is necessary. I don't spritz any of my cages. I prefer to set them up to maintain humidity without daily intervention. The adults don't require as much humidity. A good damp hide with large surface area water dish and limited ventilation and you should be fine.

>>Yes the wood chips are cypress(just looked at my order awhile back) I have abotu 20 more lbs of it so I think I have plenty. I am going to get everything you suggested on that site except for the temp gun, I have a hydrometer/ themometer and then I have another themometer with a probe. Could you just explain to me how all that works together to keep the heat pad at a certain temp. I found a metal screen heavy duty screen top for my 10 gallon and im going to get the plywood like you said and maybe drill screws through the metal onto the plywood and cut off the remaining screw tips. As for the time being I might as well order some frozen pinkies somewhere from a site, will all these guys accept a frozen pinkie??? What kinda sprayer do yall use for your cages?
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB, selectively bred from good stock)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
12.24 BRB
11.13 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

will most eat a thawed pinkie? I dont really know when my adult rats are gunna get on with making babies just yet.

Welllll, I've heard they can easily be switched over to F/T. I don't really know as I raise my own feeders adn always feed F/K or live for the feeders with no teeth. There are several other breeders on here that do not raise there own food and are feeding F/T

Mike/Jeff....how do you get yours started on F/T?
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB, selectively bred from good stock)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
12.24 BRB
11.13 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Heh, im just throwing this out there but I really like PO-BO-13 that thing is nice and dark. If I get one soon thats what I want it to look like. I really like that het anery and bullseye sometimes!

Getting your baby to take thawed mice is usually very easy. Most times it's jst a matter of offering it to them (Dave, yours both took thawed rats on Saturday ).
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Mike Lockwood
www.tooscaley.com

I figured as much, if they're hungry, they'll eat. BRB's are typically voracious eaters, they will eat almost any time you offer food.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB, selectively bred from good stock)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
12.24 BRB
11.13 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

i'll tell you what, i had luck with my columbians by staring out stunning live feeders, within a couple feedings of that they started taking anything f/t that was appropriate size (rat pinks to large hoppers and any other rodent of equal size)
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0.0.1 wc eastern garter (slim)
0.0.1 five lined skink (alvin)
1.1 columban rainbow boas (dunno, lol)
0.1 wc girlfriend (wv mountain stock)

Welcome to the rainbow forum, I see you found us OK before my reply

Mike's starter kit is great, you will need to move into a larger enclosure eventually. Is a good idea to start out smaller though, they feel safer. Also, once it outgrows the starter enclosure and moves on, then you have an empty space you need to fill. E)

I think you answered your own question on the thermostat, cheap is cheap and you may be sorry down the line.
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB, selectively bred from good stock)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
12.24 BRB
11.13 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats