Time for some technical questions now that my mind is made up with the snake.
Ventalation- How many holes will i need? I'm going to run a timed setup for lights and floor heat.
Dude I don't know your house or apartment or area, so you will need to figure this out on your own. Best way to start is to drill holes roughtly 1/4 inch holes lets say in a circular pattern 7, six on the outside one in the middle, in a square pattern 9 holes, three rows of three 1/4inch holes. You should also add slip or slide covers to these ventilation sites, so that you can close them off if you need too.
Moisture- Do you guys recommend an auto mist system for humidity? Or will the pond be fine for that? Also should i keep the pond heated at all times?
NO!!!, misting system required, as a matter of fact when I used to raise and breed carpets I never kept most of them above 35%~40% humdity and the only time I sprayed them was when there eyes turned opaque.
I would strongly recommend that you ask and follow the advise of whom ever you purchase your snakes from, unless your planning on buying newly hatched hatchlings. most breeders won't sell you newly hatched snakes, so go with whatever they have been doing for them. Don't get adventurous until you have alittle experience with them.
Floor Heater- Everything is going to sit on a piece of 3/8" plywood. I think I'm going to glue down a piece of vinyl landscape pond liner to it. As far as the heat tape goes, will it melt through the liner?
Are you building a pond or a vivirium of sorts for your snake? I think that you if you thought about it you could do better than a 9 or so gal pond liner. You'll be scooping dirty water out of this thing every 2 to 3 days. Especially with a boids they love to take dumps in warm water.
Lighting- Special bulbs? UV wise. Basically the top will have recessed ceramic fixtures to keep everything looking clean. I'm thinking 3 or 4 fixtures at the top.
Ok, I'm thinking you maybe thinking of cooking your snake(s), what you need is simple an heat source that emites say 100F~150F and projects say 88F~92F at the level of where you want the snake to bask. The lighting system is mainly in place for your enjoyment of your animals. I know it sounds strange but keep in mind breeders only supply ambient light through milky whitish sweater boxes to there snakes, unless there showcasing a snake.
Sorry for all the questions, but like i said, I'm brand new to the snake keeping and dont want anything to go wrong.
