Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I posted this up on another forum and Id like as much input as possible so Im also posting it here.. Im just going to copy and paste what I wrote on the other site so I dont have to type it all over again...

I want to get back into Ball Pythons and Im saving up for either a Spider or a Pastel.. I want to do a cool breeding but Im still not decided on which route to take. I want a super pastel, and I want some baby spiders and hell I even want to try to produce a bumblebee.. I really like the Cinnys too.. But I have a brain fart going on in my head as to what is the smartest and quickest way to produce something cool... If any of you have an idea of what I should try and shoot for please chime in. Money is out of the question, my husband does trucking so I can basicly get any morph that fancies my eye but I feel like a kid in a candy store with a $5 bill and I dont know what to get lol.

Okay... So as I said Iam saving up for another snake. Its been about two years since I last owned about 13 Ball Pythons. Housed them in the Sterilite bins that where stacked ontop of each other.. Im thinking of getting another Sterilite bin that is wide, long and somewhat flat but not too flat.

But my question is... How should I keep the snake warm? I was thinking about getting a heat lamp and keeping it ontop of the bin on one side... But then I remembered that there are the heat strips that go under neith of the bin... Im going to be getting Cypress Mulch (my first try at Cypress) cause I heard that it keeps the humidity in the enclouser pretty well.

So if I decide to go with a heat strip... What do I need to do in order to place the strip properly. Does it only go under one side of the bin? And also... If I do get a heat strip, where or what can I put the bin with the heat strip on so that its safe? Like can I put it on a wood shelf or something glass? I have a big thick square piece of glass and Im thinking that would be safer so theres no risk of fire...

Any input or help would be great! Thank you

it sounds like you'll be getting a few snakes and probaly more,so why not get now what you'll need in the future,a rack.

you could start with a 4 level and add as you increase your number of snakes.have fun !

Thank you and Iam sorry for the late responce! Id like to find some good pictures of some rack systems that are all set up so I can get a better idea of how I should set mine up.

But I have a question thats kinda been bothering me. Ive on onto youtube and I watched a few of Ralph Davis's videos. I like his rack system for his snakes, but I dont think I want to get that kind. Im not even sure on the name brand that he uses but anyways...

I was wondering how he and others heats up the racks. I mean if there is a heat pad that goes under the tubs, then how come when you slide the tub out the heat strip doesnt move? Where is the heat strip place if you have a rack system?

Ive also seen some racks with the heat strip on the back wall of the rack but I dont really want to go that route because I know you have to keep their bellys warm and its essential for their health.

So Id love it maybe someone can post a link to rack pictures or post their own pictures. Not to copy but more to get an idea going in my head on how Id like to set mine up.

Thanks in advance everyone!

Sorry for second post...

I should mentiont that Ive heard that when youre using a heat strip you want it to heat up only 1/3 of the tub. Is this correct? If so then that means that the heat strip should be on one side of the bin... Correct?

if you check out rack mfg.'s you'll have most of your Q's answered.boaphile,vision,animal plastics,RBI etc.

i'm also a fan of belly heat.usually there a shallow channel routed in the shelf so the tub slides over the heat tape and the two never touch.also check out the caging forum here.