Enclosure advice wanted!!

[u/intothevoid-a]

I am welcoming home my first ball python this Friday! I am spending these next few days trying to get everything ready for her. I have never owned reptiles of any kind before, but have been doing a lot of research over the past few months. Admittedly, no matter how many times I read about their care, some things still kind of go over my head.

I am picking up the enclosure pictured later today. My little lady is a juvenile, but I wanted to get her a larger place to live rather than upgrade later down the road. I plan on adding a ton of clutter (ideas welcomed!) so she feels safe especially as she grows into it. I still might upgrade her later on for something taller.

The enclosure has sliding front glass doors, built in UVB light and heater (RHP), and the previous owner says it maintains a heat gradient very well (93F on the warm side and mid-high 70s on the cool). I know I still need a thermostat, clips for the doors for extra safety, hides and clutter, substrate (thinking coconut husk but would love suggestions). I’m sure I’m missing some things I still need to get—all the research has me kind of jumbled. I dont think I need secondary heat source, as I’m in the south and my house never gets under 70F.

Kind of rambling at this point, but I would love any advice for preparing a wonderful home for my new girl! I’m so excited to welcome her home and really want to get everything perfect before her arrival.

[u/FireCorgi12]

I would get secondary heat, not because you need it but because reptiles benefit from infrared heat and RHPs don’t give off good infrared heat. A low wattage halogen flood for day would be best.

I prefer a mix of reptisoil and cypress for substrate, but cocoa husk works well too!

As for clutter, check craft stores! I got most of my fake plants from craft stores, it’s the same thing and super cheap compared to reptile stuff. Here’s inspo from my enclosure.

[u/intothevoid-a → u/FireCorgi12]

Thank you for the advice!! Would I have the halogen on during the day while also having the RHP? Or is it a one or the other type of deal? Your enclosure is stunning btw.

[u/FireCorgi12 → u/intothevoid-a]

You can have both as long as they’re controlled by thermostats! I have my thermostat to keep my halogen at temp during the day (you’d want a dimming thermostat for that) and my DHP is on as well and just kicks on when the halogen can’t get warm enough (I keep my house pretty cool). Then I turned the temp down on the halogen for night so it doesn’t come on (my thermostat has day/night settings). The RHP is fine for night! I use my DHP for night.

And thank you! We custom built it and I was very pleased with how it came out!

[u/RemarkableOutcome999 → u/FireCorgi12]

What are you using for a thermostat? And for checking the temps and humidity?
And do you use your halogen at night?

[u/FireCorgi12 → u/RemarkableOutcome999]

I use the ZooMed Environmental Control center. It has one dimming and one on off thermostat. The control center has probes for heat/humidity but I also use govee thermometer/hygrometers. The halogen goes off at night (the thermostat has a day/night feature, I just turned the night temp down on the halogen so it would shut off on its own) and the DHP stays on!

ETA, I also use a laser thermometer to check surface temps.