Glass tank vs. tub

[Mouse]

Hi,
so I just got a 55 gallon tank and stand for $40. I picked it up because I really want my new BP to be in the living room in a nice size display tank. I am worried however about humidity and heat.

Does anyone else have a 55 gallon tank that they use, and how do you keep the heat and humidity level where you need them?? I am planning on getting the large 55 gallon tank heat mat. anything else I can do??

thanks!

[CoolioTiffany]

Hi,
so I just got a 55 gallon tank and stand for $40. I picked it up because I really want my new BP to be in the living room in a nice size display tank. I am worried however about humidity and heat.

Does anyone else have a 55 gallon tank that they use, and how do you keep the heat and humidity level where you need them?? I am planning on getting the large 55 gallon tank heat mat. anything else I can do??

thanks!

A 55g tank would only be necessary for an adult Ball python. For a baby, it would be very stressful because it's too much space. I personally like tubs because they hold in humidity the best and the only thing I need for heat is a UTH connected to a thermostat. Ball pythons like smaller areas, so even a 55g enclosure would be a bit stressful for an adult unless you have one pretty big female. I use 41qt tubs at the largest for adult female Ball pythons, and that is just the right size. For males I would consider a 32qt tub. I'd go with tubs if I were you, you can control heat and humidity a whole lot better and it is a lot less stressful for a Ball python. If you have a baby, I would consider a 12qt or 15qt tub. I keep my smaller '09s in 12qts and they do just fine and eat very well.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

You would most likely need a heat lamp, humid hide, cover the top almost completely except where the lamp is.. Put more than 2 hides in there because a 55gal will be very overwelming to a small BP. I would clutter it up with stuff. Crumpled paper, fake plants, plastic hides etc..

Everyone is going to tell you to start out smaller if you are getting a small BP. Being in such a big enclosure may cause it stress and it may not eat very well for you.

BUT there are things you can do to help the situation if all you have is a 55gal. Try to find an older, more established BP. Have the right temp/humidity gages (accurite weather station). Thermostat to control the under tank heat pad.

And I didnt even notice your avatar... You already have the BP? You may run into problems if you put it in such a big tank. 55gal are so tall it would be hard to reach down in there to clean it as well. You want it on display. If you do whats needed to ensure the snake is happy and stressfree, you will hardly ever see it anyway. BPs live most of their life in a little rodent burrow. Females rarely ever come out. Males will go looking for females dens during breeding season. Thats about as much as they travel out in the open.

[Mouse]

he is in a tub right now. he is too small for the 55 gallon tank. I was hoping this summer I could move him in there, it is warmer in my house then.

I guess I can try to resell the tank. what a pain. I really wanted a nice looking tank set up in my living room. I just can't justify sitting a tub in my living room....

[crusher]

for a nice display tank i would just suggest a nice rbi enclosure... you dont have to sacrifice humidity and quality of life for the snake to get a display enclosure...

www.reptilebasics.com

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

he is in a tub right now. he is too small for the 55 gallon tank. I was hoping this summer I could move him in there, it is warmer in my house then.

I guess I can try to resell the tank. what a pain. I really wanted a nice looking tank set up in my living room. I just can't justify sitting a tub in my living room....

Well, you can still have a display tank. Walmart sells 10 gal for $10. Look on craigs list in your area for a nice one. Im sure you can find something. Its just that a 55gal sems too big even for an adult female. I temporarily had my largest female (she was 2500g) in a 40gal breeder reptile tank and it seemed too big for her even.

I would look for maybe a 20/30gal. The 29 gal are tall and narrow so anything other than that would be easier to maintain.

Do you know anyone who is handy with wordworking tools and saws? You could always have one made with melamine or plastic with plexiglass doors. I would stay away from wood though. It could be made more short and long for a nice display.

[Mouse]

thanks for the suggestions, he can just live in his tub. I want what is best for him but I am disapointed. I will have to resell the tank. I already have it set up in my living room. I just ordered a screen top for it. hope they will take it back.

[Kaorte]

I would find another reptile species to put in the 55g, maybe one that will actually come out of its hides

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

I would find another reptile species to put in the 55g, maybe one that will actually come out of its hides

Thats a great idea! Maybe a colubrid or some kind of lizard?

[bman123]

Ball pythons are not display animals at all. They seem like they are afraid of their own shadow. A happy ball python is a hiding in the hide all the time. They make horrible display animals. You shouldnt have any trouble selling the tank $40 is super cheap