need advice

[Corey209]

For a ball python I'd recommend getting a 40 gallon tank but a 20g will work for a year or so. Get an under the tank heater (zilla, zoomed, exo terra all make them) made for the size of your enclosure whether it's 20 or 40 gallon and cover one side of the bottom. I'd also recommend placing something on the corners of your tank (the little sticky circle multipurpose pads) so that you can have airflow so the glass doesn't crack. If you want to use substrate for looks then I'd recommend getting dry bricks of coco fiber because you can make a whole lot of it for the same price as a bag of coco fiber that's not compacted. Otherwise just use paper towels/newspaper. If possible when you buy a tank look for one that has a sliding top and not a generic top that comes off you'll need to buy clips for.

[Gungirl]

Originally Posted by Corey209

For a ball python I'd recommend getting a 40 gallon tank but a 20g will work for a year or so. Get an under the tank heater (zilla, zoomed, exo terra all make them) made for the size of your enclosure whether it's 20 or 40 gallon and cover one side of the bottom. I'd also recommend placing something on the corners of your tank (the little sticky circle multipurpose pads) so that you can have airflow so the glass doesn't crack. If you want to use substrate for looks then I'd recommend getting dry bricks of coco fiber because you can make a whole lot of it for the same price as a bag of coco fiber that's not compacted. Otherwise just use paper towels/newspaper. If possible when you buy a tank look for one that has a sliding top and not a generic top that comes off you'll need to buy clips for.

Some bad information ^ ...

Tanks with screen lids are horrible for ball pythons... you don't cover 1 side of the bottom with a heat mat you cover 1/3. Your glass will not crack as long as you have your heat source on a thermostat which is a must have..

[KORBIN5895]

Originally Posted by Gungirl

Some bad information ^ ...

Tanks with screen lids are horrible for ball pythons... you don't cover 1 side of the bottom with a heat matt you cover 1/3. Your glass will not crack as long as you have your heat source on a thermostat which is a must have..

I agree with most of that Kat except for the glass cracking. If there isn't ventilation the glass will crack because space under the tank will just become a mini oven. Mine was on a t stat and it cracked.

[Corey209]

Originally Posted by Gungirl

Some bad information ^ ...

Tanks with screen lids are horrible for ball pythons... you don't cover 1 side of the bottom with a heat mat you cover 1/3. Your glass will not crack as long as you have your heat source on a thermostat which is a must have..

She's on a tight budget which is why I recommended glass tanks. PLENTY of people use them without any problems. I highly doubt she will be able to afford a PVC enclosure and a thermostat.

[KORBIN5895]

Originally Posted by Corey209

She's on a tight budget which is why I recommended glass tanks. PLENTY of people use them without any problems. I highly doubt she will be able to afford a PVC enclosure and a thermostat.

Then recommend a plastic tote.

[Corey209]

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

Then recommend a plastic tote.

She wants it as a pet with her son, I can guarantee they want a nice looking enclosure while plastic totes look more like what people use for large amount of snakes to be cost and size efficient.

I am going to trade my blizzard for two boas though, can you recommend how I should set up some tubs for them?

[KORBIN5895]

Originally Posted by Corey209

She wants it as a pet with her son, I can guarantee they want a nice looking enclosure while plastic totes look more like what people use for large amount of snakes to be cost and size efficient.

I am going to trade my blizzard for two boas though, can you recommend how I should set up some tubs for them?

What I recommend is you get out of the herp hobby. I honestly can't believe you are trading off a snake with mites.

[Corey209]

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

What I recommend is you get out of the herp hobby. I honestly can't believe you are trading off a snake with mites.

Mites are gone, haven't seen a trace of them. I've soaked him for 20 minutes every other day and still no mites. The person I am trading knows that the snake had mites and he's a reputable breeder in my area.

[DeesBalls]

Originally Posted by Corey209

She's on a tight budget which is why I recommended glass tanks. PLENTY of people use them without any problems. I highly doubt she will be able to afford a PVC enclosure and a thermostat.

most important part- and yes- a 10 gal tank CAN be okay- but why waste the 12 bucks on one, when a nice tub is half the price and works better?

if you do decide to go with a tank, since only having the 1 snake, it may be okay for him (the son) ... some other modifications would need to be made to the lid, or getting some plexiglass with holes made to fit under the screen top, or using a damp/wet towel and putting over the screen, i used that for a BRB for a year just fine...

i recommend a tub, 2 hides, water dish, UTH, thermostat, and substrate.
and hides can be anything, from old boxes, to a cheap plastic bowl cut, to a styofoam bowl. just make sure you have a thermostat.

**wow missed the whole 3rd page... what the hell is going on at this forum... cant we give new people advice and help out, or does everything need to become a pi**ing contest?

tubs or tanks, who cares, both CAN work, ones just a little easier. like walking or driving to work

this post is not under members lounge, so if some one google searches and sees this, how are we helping them?

[Corey209]

Originally Posted by DeEuGi

most important part- and yes- a 10 gal tank CAN be okay- but why waste the 12 bucks on one, when a nice tub is half the price and works better?

if you do decide to go with a tank, since only having the 1 snake, it may be okay for him (the son) ... some other modifications would need to be made to the lid, or getting some plexiglass with holes made to fit under the screen top, or using a damp/wet towel and putting over the screen, i used that for a BRB for a year just fine...

i recommend a tub, 2 hides, water dish, UTH, thermostat, and substrate.
and hides can be anything, from old boxes, to a cheap plastic bowl cut, to a styofoam bowl. just make sure you have a thermostat.

I recommended a 20/40g because they look nicer then tubs but you're right and I'm going to set up tubs for my boas I'm getting, do you think you could show a pic of your setup top and bottom?

[DeesBalls]

Originally Posted by Corey209

I recommended a 20/40g because they look nicer then tubs but you're right and I'm going to set up tubs for my boas I'm getting, do you think you could show a pic of your setup top and bottom?

your right, a 20/40 gal set up is awesome looking, but personally i would save those for corns as it is hard to keep humidity up for a BP in one of those... not saying it cant be done though, and since it is only 1 pet snake, sure you can take extra time and precaution to help with humidity.

as for my cages, i have tubs/custom made tanks. ill post a few.....

Corn on top, RTB on bottom- these were taking as i was finishing them up, so not all hides ect are in tank-


my rack for baby balls


one i used for a bigger BP that couldnt fit in tub-


not sure if these helped you (or the OP at all) but maybe it will someone?

also wanted to mention the cages were less than $100 to make, including heat.

[Corey209]

Originally Posted by DeEuGi

A bunch of useful pictures goes here.

I really like that system you have going, I just don't have a shelf for it. Another breeder just contacted me saying he wants to breed smaller snakes so he's offering his hypo BCI (very clean) and regular BCI which are both females for my pastel ball python and blizzard king. I just got this BP but it's a pretty good deal and I'd like to help him out. I'd also need larger tubs to fit the boas. Thanks for sharing those pictures though.