Need help setting up a 10 gallon tank

[xfactor831]

hello,
sorry if this is in the wrong forum but i'm new here and was wondering if i can get some help from you guys.
i will be getting 2 baby ball pythons hopefully within the next week me and my gf got 10 gallon tanks since petco was having a deal we plan on upgrading after we move out from our apt. now i was wondering how do i exactly heat this up? i was planning on using a heating pad and also a 60watt with zoo med eco carpet. I was planning on putting the light on the opposite side of the heating pad with the water bowl underneath the light. i was also wondering do i need to put another hide under the light? is the light even needed?

[MitsuMike]

First and for most you need 2 tanks. And if you don't want to spend the money 6 qt will work find til about 250 gram then you need to upgrade to a 15 or 16 qt tub, but it really all depends on each snake.
You will need each one of these things twice b/c u have 2 snakes:
paper towels for bedding as babies
UTH (flexwatt or zoomed)
Hide
water bowl
(no light no eco carpet)
THERMOSTAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A cheap one is the Reptitemp 500R and it has 2 plugs to work both snake tanks

[xfactor831]

thanks for replying i should have specified ya we have 2 10 gallon tanks. we are getting 2 Zilla Digital Thermometer / Hygrometer with probe. Should we get a Rheostat? and just wondering why no light or eco carpet?
thanks

[groki21]

thanks for replying i should have specified ya we have 2 10 gallon tanks. we are getting 2 Zilla Digital Thermometer / Hygrometer with probe. Should we get a Rheostat? and just wondering why no light or eco carpet?
thanks

No light because it isnt needed, belly heat is fine. Also a light will dry out your tank and will make it harder to keep your humidity right. Eco carpet...ehhh paper towel is cheaper and you can throw it out after being soiled instead of always washing it. I would definately recommed a thermostat or if you dont want to spend to much on a thermostat, lowes has light dimmers that do the same thing for 11 bucks.

[anatess]

Hi, I will give you 2 options here... (there are lots of stickies in here and in the DIY section on proper set-up of ball pythons).

The 2 options depend on your preference:
1.) Display vivarium = a set-up that is nice to look at and intended to be displayed but will need a lot of maintenance. (Take into consideration that your bp is nocturnal, therefore, they will spend most of the time in their hides once you get them comfortable with their environment - so the display is mainly for the "forest" look of the viv).
2.) BP habitat = a set-up that is designed for maximum comfort of the snake, easy to maintain, but not intended for display.

As far as cost go - option 2 is the cheapest route.
As far as maintenance go - option 2 is the easiest to maintain, option 1 can be a pain in the ass.
As far as snake comfort go - both are good as long as you do the proper maintenance
As far as "looks" go - option 1 is pretty, option 2 is crappy looking.

Okay, option 1 is the glass tank.
Option 2 is a plastic bin.

Let me know your preference and I'll guide you through the proper set-up of the one you pick.

P.S. I know you already got the 10gal tanks, but I just want to let you know there's an alternative in case you haven't looked into it yet.

[eracer]

Light isn't needed?

Don't BP's benefit from a day/night cycle? I know they don't need UV.

I only ask this because I keep my house as dark as a cave during the day, so I have a light in the tank on a 12-hour timer.

[anatess]

Light isn't needed?

Don't BP's benefit from a day/night cycle? I know they don't need UV.

I only ask this because I keep my house as dark as a cave during the day, so I have a light in the tank on a 12-hour timer.

Light is not needed unless you live in a cave... obviously.
Most rooms have windows that provide sufficient light for a day/night cycle, or the room lights or table lamp is sufficient if it doesn't have windows.

[xfactor831]

thanks for the replies. i looked at some of the stickies but i noticed they werent for 10 gallon and wasn't sure if the same rules applied and it was hard for me to find anything about housing them in 10 gallons online unless i just over looked it.

I kinda looked into putting them in plastic bins but i think i would like it more to kinda have them out in the open and show them off which is why i got the tanks. Having to do maintenance doesn't bother me or my gf at all. so i think option 1 will be good for us.

[groki21]

thanks for the replies. i looked at some of the stickies but i noticed they werent for 10 gallon and wasn't sure if the same rules applied and it was hard for me to find anything about housing them in 10 gallons online unless i just over looked it.

I kinda looked into putting them in plastic bins but i think i would like it more to kinda have them out in the open and show them off which is why i got the tanks. Having to do maintenance doesn't bother me or my gf at all. so i think option 1 will be good for us.

to each their own, i use tubs. you'll notice they wont come out much. ball pythons are lazy snakes that hide alot.

[xfactor831]

to each their own, i use tubs. you'll notice they wont come out much. ball pythons are lazy snakes that hide alot.

haha ya i will most likely switch to tubs when i end up getting more or run out of space. thanks for the help though