getting a ball python tomorrow

[bman123]

I said what the heck i'm getting a female normal tomorrow for a good price. She is short like 12-14 inches long but looks real healthy.
I need to set up a tub tonight/tomorrow before I get her. I want to use a tub instead of a tank due to cost and ease of cleaning.

What size tub should I start her off in? I want to use a UTH as its easier for me then flex watt. Can you guys help me with this??

[bman123]

i will go and buy the tub, uth,thermometer and hydrometer tonight. I want to have it set up tonight so I can monitor temps and humidity to make sure its ready for tomorrow.
What tub and size to get? Will go to wal-mart for that ready to buy now guys, pretty excited

[bman123]

tell me if this seems right to you.Tub size under 18qt, uth taped to the bottom on one side. Use bottle caps to allow air flow between the the uth and the stand the tub is on. Hide on each side, water bowl big enough to soak in. Paper towel or news paper for substrate

[Lolo76]

Since she's still fairly small, I would start with a 15qt or equivalent (I use Sterilite tubs). Just punch/melt holes around the tub for air circulation, get yourself an Acu-rite digital thermometer with probe & hygrometer, and rheostat or thermostat to control temps - that should do it! Not sure what you're talking about with the bottle caps, but I don't think that will be necessary. Oh, and I'd get the UTH made for at LEAST a 20g tank, since they're not super hot... flexwatt does work better and is cheaper, but shouldn't be needed for just one tub. Good luck & make sure to post pictures of your new baby!

Links to what I'm talking about:
http://www.weatherconnection.com/mfg...29964&mfgno=21
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...44440109016186 (the price is for a set of 10)
http://www.petstuffunlimited.com/zoo...hermostat.aspx
http://www.spyderrobotics.com/products/herpstat.html (more expensive thermostat, which I use for my rack)
http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CCoQ8gIwBA# (cheapest option for controlling temps)

[bman123]

well changed my mind i'm gonna go the tank route. my daughter is really happy about it and i know she wants to see the snake. I went to the pet store to look at tanks & they are cheap.

What size tank do you suggest for now? The BP i'm getting is fairly small, they had 5.5g 10g 20Long. With the size I'm thinking a 10gallon. How long will a BP be able to stay in a 10gallon??

The feeding schedule is every weds so how should I go about feeding since it will be changing homes. Skip a week or try to feed on weds anyway

[snakesRkewl]

Flexwatt is technically a UTH since uth stands for under tank heater, which is what flexwatt is.

I put flexwatt on shelves and sit tubs on top of the flexwatt(to the dismay of at least one person, lol) controlled by a thermostat, works well and I actually like the locking lided tubs better than my rack

Taping the uth to the tub makes it difficult to thoroughly clean and sterilize the tub when needed.

[bman123]

i dont if i should get a 5.5 or 10gallon tank. they are reptile cages so it has a nice mesh lid that slides in. the snake shouldn't be able to get the lid off since it slides in. Nice feature since my girl does not like snakes at all lol.

I dont want to get too big of a tank, i dont want her too be scared but I dont want to buy something she will out grow in 3 months. i appreciate the help everyone i am real eager to get started

[j_h_smith]

A 10 gal should be fine.

Jim Smith

[cinderbird]

i dont if i should get a 5.5 or 10gallon tank. they are reptile cages so it has a nice mesh lid that slides in. the snake shouldn't be able to get the lid off since it slides in. Nice feature since my girl does not like snakes at all lol.

I dont want to get too big of a tank, i dont want her too be scared but I dont want to buy something she will out grow in 3 months. i appreciate the help everyone i am real eager to get started

be careful with the screen tops. If you want to go with a cage i'd reccomend professional made caging over the aquariums. BPs need 50% ambient humidity which can be very difficult to achieve with the screen tops.

Also, don't use the half log hides the pet store is going to try to give you. BPs want a smaller, tight fitting enclosed hide.

If you are doing everything right you aren't going to see your snake a lot. Balls are shy animals who spend most of the day sleeping and hidden. In all honesty they make a poor display animal.

[angllady2]

As tiny as she is you can go with a 10, but make sure you have two nice tight hides so she'll feel secure.

Mesh lids SUCK for keeping temps and humidity correct. If they have mosty solid ones instead get one, otherwise you can use plexiglas or foil to cover most of the lid to help stablize things. Also, don't think for one second that your new snake won't be able to escape if it wants to. They are solid muscle, and can exert a great deal of force against something they want moved. Use latches or weights or even straps to hold the lid securely.

The Accurite thermometer/hygrometer you can get from wal-Mart real cheap is all you need for measuring temps and humidity. Make sure you get a thermostat to regulate the UTH.

A young BP should be happy in a 10 gallon for the better part of a year before you need to upgrade.

After you get your new baby, give it a week to get used to the new place before you handle or feed. The snake will be stressed out and need some quiet time to get used to things. Then go ahead and feed as usual.

Study the care sheets here, they are an invaluable source of info.

And welcome to the addiction!

Gale