I am considering getting a ball python, a female, but I have read a couple conflicting care guides online and decided to just come to a place where current owners of these snakes can tell me what they do. My main questions are:
1.What size enclosure? I was told by a local pet shop owner that a 40gal breeder tank" was right. Mine is 36' long, 18' deep,and 12' high with a sliding mesh top. I have seen and read about people using long, 20gal fish tanks also.

2.What kind of heat and lighting? I watched a video on youtube that said a fish tank was ONLY for fish and just let too much heat out and all we were doing using a tank like that was broiling our snake. Some people say to "black out" the tank. Does this mean to make it completely dark and black inside? I would really like to see my snake if thats possible...

3.Is there any gender specific attitude, handling, or other traits?

Anything else you know that would help a beginner would be great! I have had reptiles for a little while now but its only been leopard geckos and similar (desert-like climate, texas kind of) lizards.
For now I will NOT breed this snake. It is just for a pet. Something to learn about, feed, interact with, and show off.

Please don't tell me not to get it just because I will be proud of it. I know some irresponsible people get big snakes to look "cool" and then get in WAY over their heads, the snake suffers because of it, and might die, or be dumped. I am NOT one of those people. If I were I would not be here researching the animal months before I would like to purchase it, now would I?

If I can, I will always research an animal BEFORE I purchase it. The only times I haven't studied before aquiring an animal is when I go to an out-of-state relative's home and, not knowing what I would find, caught them wild. Like with my striped lizards, vinegroon, blue tailed skink, and darkling beetles. Though, obviously, as soon as I could I did research on them.

So, in summary, I am coming into the snake community with limmited knowledge (more than the average non-herper, but not especially experienced) of these reptiles, though with a decent background with reptiles in a general sense. If you think a ball python is not a good choice, why? If you believe I might be able to properly care for this animal, what are some concerns or warnings you have for me? Also, just because I'm curious, how do you feed your snake? Live or frozen? maybe a mix of the two? What (if any) do you give as treats?

A huge thank you to everyone!