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Blackecho
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
11327 Posts |
 Posted - 16/10/2009 : 14:25:22
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Hi Bengy, its really good to see a new owner trying to get everything right and taking advice.
To be honest, the heatmat should be sufficient in that viv without the light. Lets see what reading you get when you get a digital thermometer.
On ebay just search for 'Digital Aquarium Thermometer' they are cheaper than vivarium specific stuff.
Good luck. |
 
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xautomaticflowersx
Yearling
United Kingdom
209 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2009 : 14:27:23
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Pet shops really do have a lot to answer for when it comes to mis-information! Even the so-called 'specialist' shops. You're not the first and won't be the last to be told the wrong thing. The trouble is that they sound like they know what they're talking about, so how are you to know?
If you plan on having a bulb and a heatmat then you'll need a thermostat for both. No point in having the heatmat on a stat and leaving the bulb temperatures to fluctuate.
So if you wanted to get a ceramic bulb instead then yep you'll need a guard and bulb holder which will go inside the viv. You'll need a specific ceramic bulb holder though, as the surface temperature on a ceramic bulb will tend to melt a normal plastic bulb holder. For a ceramic bulb you'll also need a Pulse Proportional Thermostat. Here are some ebay item numbers so you know what to look for... 
PP Thermostat: 250514953085
ES Ceramic Bulb Holder: 270469612328
Also for guards check out this thread: http://www.theroyalpython.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=656 |
0.1.0 Leopard Gecko - Eublepharis macularius ('Gecko Lady')
1.0.0 Giant Day Gecko - Phelsuma m. grandis ('Pedro')
1.0.0 Giant Namibian Sand Gecko - Chondrodactylus a. angulifer ('Mr. Chondrodactylus' or 'Mr. C')
1.0.0 Desert Iguana - Dipsosaurus dorsalis ('Iggie' or 'Iggz')
1.0.0 Royal Python - Python regius ('Ripley')
0.0.2 Rankins Dragons - Pogona henrylawsoni ('Pancake' and 'Waffles')
1.0.0 75% Jungle Jaguar Carpet Python - Morelia spilota spp. ('Buggy') |
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xautomaticflowersx
Yearling
United Kingdom
209 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2009 : 14:29:24
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Meh... I took a while on ebay (haha I got distracted by looking at shoes *ahem*) so I posted that without seeing the last few posts from other people. I would agree that the viv you have probably would be heated sufficiently with just a heat mat.
Edit: Looking at the photo I can't tell if your dial thermometer is on the inside or outside of the viv? If it's on the outside your temps aren't going to be read accurately. Pop it on the substrate on the inside until you get the digital one. It's a really nice little viv actually... do you know what it was called/who it was made by? |
0.1.0 Leopard Gecko - Eublepharis macularius ('Gecko Lady')
1.0.0 Giant Day Gecko - Phelsuma m. grandis ('Pedro')
1.0.0 Giant Namibian Sand Gecko - Chondrodactylus a. angulifer ('Mr. Chondrodactylus' or 'Mr. C')
1.0.0 Desert Iguana - Dipsosaurus dorsalis ('Iggie' or 'Iggz')
1.0.0 Royal Python - Python regius ('Ripley')
0.0.2 Rankins Dragons - Pogona henrylawsoni ('Pancake' and 'Waffles')
1.0.0 75% Jungle Jaguar Carpet Python - Morelia spilota spp. ('Buggy') |
Edited by - xautomaticflowersx on 16/10/2009 14:33:32 |
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bengy_s
Yearling
United Kingdom
252 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2009 : 14:38:44
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Thanks Blackecho & automaticflowers. I wish the shop owners were this good.
Thanks for nice comment, I just want him to be happy and then I can hold him without him biting and that will make me happy! I just ordered a digital thermometer and humid o'meter 2in1. Was £13. So will be able to get accurate results in few days.
Would heat mat still be ok if the bedroom ambient temp cooler? Sometimes we have heating on in bedroom but prefer to sleep (myself and grilfriend) in a cooler room. So if the heat mat ok for this then will get stat for it. If not then go for ceramic one.
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 R.I.P Chester |
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chris100575
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
743 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2009 : 15:05:32
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As BE said, the mat should be fine in that viv. He may need a larger one as he grows, so I'd go for a wooden viv and ceramic / infra-red if he gets too big for his current one.
He should be fine with your room temperature fluctuating, the thermostat will keep him at the right temp. If the room is a comfortable temperature for you then the mat will be up to the job. Assuming that the silver strip across the front is a vent, it might be worth covering the lid to help keep the heat in. A folded towel or something would be fine.
If you do decide to put the dial thermometer inside the viv until your digital one arrives make sure you get all the sticky off the back first, you don't want it stuck to him!
I'm sure your snake will be happy, you seem to be doing a good job so far. |
0.1.0 Royal Python - Princess
0.1.0 BCI - Feather |
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bengy_s
Yearling
United Kingdom
252 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2009 : 15:07:12
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Just popped the thermometer onto the sustrate, bottom left of viv as you'd see it from photos. He struck again as I was opening viv but he missed me- I'd be very weary to hold him! What should I do?!
xautomaticflowersx- the viv says "ATASUKI" on the side and is 80 X 40 X 40 cms. It only cost me £55!
If I do need a ceramic bulb (see my last comment) which bulb wattage would I need. |
R.I.P Chester |
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bengy_s
Yearling
United Kingdom
252 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2009 : 15:08:44
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| I took the sticky stuff off the thermometer too! |
R.I.P Chester |
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bengy_s
Yearling
United Kingdom
252 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2009 : 15:19:06
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I just put a towel on the roof as you were right (Chris) in saying the strip below sliding doors is a vent.
If I'm to keep with heat mat would it be ok to keep running without stat (would get the one Chris suggested on ebay) until it arrived or would I need to drive around and find one? The weekend is coming now so if ordered today wouldn't get it til mon or tues and don't wanna burn him! Or if I keep eye on thermometer at which temp would be too hot and burn him?
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R.I.P Chester |
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chris100575
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
743 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2009 : 15:25:43
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100w would be fine, you can't have too high a wattage really as the thermostat would keep it running at the right temperature.
As for the striking, once you're happy with his setup just leave him alone for a week, only go in there to change his water or to spot clean if needed. Royals are nervous critters and he'll need time to get used to his surroundings. After a week to settle I'd try him with a feed, he'll want a rat about the same thickness as the thickest part of his body. After he's eaten leave him alone for another two or three days before you try handling. All being well once he's settled in and fed he'll be a lot more relaxed. |
0.1.0 Royal Python - Princess
0.1.0 BCI - Feather |
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bengy_s
Yearling
United Kingdom
252 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2009 : 15:43:29
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Thanks you really are a help. Apparently he was fed last Thursday so will a week time be ok? I've got wiener rats which use for corn are they ok or medium rats?
As for heating, I think i'll order stat for mat and take away the green light? If that doesn't work then go for redlight or ceramic set up? |
R.I.P Chester |
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bengy_s
Yearling
United Kingdom
252 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2009 : 15:45:13
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| Im not totally useless by the way I just want to be thorough! Had my corn for 11 years and she is very tame (kids hold her too at family bbq's) but know royals can be just as docile if kept happy! |
R.I.P Chester |
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chris100575
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
743 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2009 : 16:01:53
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There's nothing wrong with being thorough!
Royals can go for months without food quite happily, so leaving him for a week after you're happy with his setup will be fine. I'd guess that weaners would be right for his size, but you'd be more easily able to tell by looking at one in relation to him.
Your plan for the heating sounds fine. As for whether to drive round and get a thermostat, it's up to you. Some people keep snakes without stats and never have any problems, so you might be OK for a few days but it is a risk. |
0.1.0 Royal Python - Princess
0.1.0 BCI - Feather |
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bengy_s
Yearling
United Kingdom
252 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2009 : 16:07:57
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Ok thanks. I'll quickly google anywhere nearby where I could get on later or tomorrow. If not I'll get the one you suggested off ebay.
I'll keep you posted on my progress so please keep checking to see if I have any questions?!? |
R.I.P Chester |
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Blackecho
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
11327 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2009 : 16:43:40
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I would recommend covering 3 sides of a glass viv as its a bit exposed otherwise.
Like this:  |
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bengy_s
Yearling
United Kingdom
252 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2009 : 16:51:59
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Cool thanks. Ill pick some of the background jungle stuff up too. Just found a reptile place in Bristol called Jurassic reps & they do the microclimate mat stat as they seem to think the habistats not are not so good?
So if that stat is ok ill pick that up tomorrow along with a hide to replace shoe box, the backdrop stuff, some wooden medium so can raise himself slightly off the sustrate (i know they not the best climbers), and the digital thermometer is arriving early next week. Anything else guys? Is the water bowl too small (see photos)? |
R.I.P Chester |
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Blackecho
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
11327 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2009 : 16:56:03
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I have both Habistat and MC.
Speak to Matty18714 on here, he's from Bristol and can probably advise you on shops. And Lee too. |
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bengy_s
Yearling
United Kingdom
252 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2009 : 17:08:50
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| Cool will do. What you think about water bowl though? |
R.I.P Chester |
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matty18714
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2016 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2009 : 17:48:49
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| Just read through this thread, nice to see you getting everything sorted . Jurrasic Reps is the best shop in Bristol in my opinion. |
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bengy_s
Yearling
United Kingdom
252 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2009 : 17:53:17
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Cool thanks matt i will go there tomorrow.
Thanks to everyone's help on this thread. I will update on what I get tomorrow and would appreciate your input then & anything you want to add.
Cheers, Ben |
R.I.P Chester |
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lee2308
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2597 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2009 : 18:53:07
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| i use jurassics all the time and had this conversation the other day and dan did say that they have more faulty habistats returned than microclimate.where abouts in bristol are you if you dont mind me asking? |
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Why did he bite!?
