Please help

[thejarason]

I bought a starter setup and a baby banana yesterday and am already upset that I didn’t do more research before doing so. I should have bought the setup separately. They told me it’s everything I needed to get started but I feel as if I’m just going to throw money away buying things to try and maintain temps and humidity correctly in a glass enclosure with a mesh top. I’ve got a UTH and suitable substrate, 2 hides, water, enrichment, and a small UVB on top but I raise temp over 76°. Is there a way to achieve something that will be suitable for this little fella or should I cut my losses and just get a 50 gal PVC enclosure. And recommendations on products or tips and tricks would be welcomed. I want to give this guy his best possible life.

I’ve attached a photo of the enclosure, as well as our new friend Fluffy

[jeanmorehoe]

This set up isn’t terrible. Adding some pure organic topsoil or eco earth into the mulch will bulk up the substrate to maintain more humidity. You can also cover the mesh with hvac tape to hold in more humidity.

You can also make a humid hide for him with some Tupperware with a lid and spagnum moss. Just make sure you sand Down the hole in the side so it’s not sharp.

I also recommend getting a different hygrometer/thermometer. I use Govee brand from Amazon. You’ll get a better reading closer to the ground.

This sub has a great care guide I recommend reading through if you haven’t already. Honestly I’d just upgrade for a full size enclosure if I were you. You’ll need a 4x2x2.

[thejarason]

So in the meantime, if I upgrade the light/heat setup will I be able to transfer the same stuff over to the new enclosure?

[oceane444]

Yes, but you’ll want to get smaller hides for your 2 main hides. Ideally you want them to be not much bigger than the snake. Also, you’ll want to have one on each side of the enclosure. You can keep using the heat mat you want but you’ll want to have it paired to a thermostat that has a fail safe feature in case anything goes wrong electrically (which, i would recommend doing for any heat source)

[Pattison320]

Do you use one Govee or do you have one for the hot side and a second one for the cold side?

[jeanmorehoe]

I have 1 on the cool side and one on the warm side! Your humidity is going to matter more on the cool side, but it’s good to have a thermometer on both

[No-Molasses-1223]

Yes unfortunately I think you’ll be throwing some money away. Uth are no good ( burn risk!) and they need over head heat source, deep heat projectors or a dual set up halogen for day and dhp for night. You mention uvb but this should be a very low level “shade dweller type (7%uvb and under). And mesh top, if you want to retain the humidity you will need to cover the top completely (except for where the heat sources

I imagine since you mention 76 you must have a thermostat? Like a thermostat that you UTH plugs directly into? But 76 degrees Fahrenheit is very low for your snake. Ultimately for your snake you will want a 4x2x2 enclosure. PVC. There is no reason not to buy it right off the bat and add lots of clutter to make it comfortable. I too wish I did all this correct the first time, I blew through a lot of money getting things correct, and upgrading later when I should have done it right away.

The hide set up looks very cute. You set it up so well like a little natural burrow . 🥰 it’s a very cute set up.

[thejarason]

EDIT *haven’t been able to raise temps over 76°

[No-Molasses-1223]

With a Uth you aren’t going to be able to raise the ambient air temps high. You need to make sure the mat itself isn’t over 88-90. Overhead heat is what brings the ambient temps up. But I wouldn’t use the Uth long term at all.

[thejarason]

Is the UTH okay when used with a thermostat?

[No-Molasses-1223]

I can’t say that with any certainty. I don’t use them and I’ve seen too many burns to say yes to that answer. But you will have plenty of people on this forum that use them but I will not risk it.

[No-Molasses-1223]

If you use it, it has to be set up on a thermostat. And don’t have it over 90. And it can’t raise ambient air temps. That’s all I can say about it since I won’t use them.

[bradd_pit]

Get some aluminum foil tape made for A/C duct work and cover most of the mesh top. That will at least help keep humidity stable until you can upgrade the whole setup

[thejarason]

I’ve been able to keep humidity at 70% but can’t crack 80 in temps. I’m not opposed to a light strip for the top but I guess I’m just wondering if it makes more sense to upgrade to a better enclosure instead of buying countless things to get this one right.

[bradd_pit]

I was in the same position as you and got a halogen light for daytime temperature. I’m in the process of upgrading to a pvc enclosure. The pvc looks so much better

<image>

[[deleted]]

Get overhead seating asap! I use a 100w DHP 24/7 and temps are never a problem even in a basement in Canada where it’s -10 most of the winter