Few Questions

[Zippo]

Hi all!
I have decided to enter the snake world. I currently keep two leopard geckos and a gargoyle gecko, but I am interested in purchasing a snake soon. I've done a lot of my own research looking at caresheets, webpages, forum posts etc. but I do have some questions that I haven't had answered. I already found a reputable breeder nearby and I have a 20 gallon (24x12x18 tall) tank that I could use. (I am planning on purchasing a baby).However I have read that a plastic tub works better. While I'd prefer to use the tank (for attractiveness) I am not against a tub, but how do I attach heat? This really confuses me because won't plastic melt with an UTH? I do have a thermostat coming in the mail, so that isn't an issue. Also, what how long approximately will it be comfortable living in that size enclosure? Someone told me a couple years, but that seems like a long time. Lastly, what substrate should I use? I like the look of aspen and would rather not use paper towel or newspaper, but of course my animals health comes before MY preferences. After all he has to live in it, not me!
Thank you in advance

[Marrissa]

No the plastic won't melt the heat mat because your heat mat should be on a thermostat so it doesn't get hot enough to burn your snake. Plastic melts at much higher temperatures than what should ever come near your snake. I attach my heat mats with tin foil tape so I can take it off the tub and put it to a different one without having to peel it off and possibly damage it. You just tape it to the bottom outside of one side of the tub. But if you go the tub route you HAVE to have the room heated to at least 75. I have a rack and tubs in my room and heat the room to 74ish which gives me about 80 in my racks and 78 in my tubs up on the shelves. If you can't heat the room then the tank is the better route to go so you can put an UTH and heat emitter over the tank for ambient air temp. For my tank (which is now my quarantine housing since I hate using tanks) I use eco earth since it keeps the humidity well. Can't really give you a for sure on how long a 20gal will work. I'd say at least a year. It depends on the gender, food intake, and the individual snake how fast they grow. Some grow faster than others even with the same food.

[Reptile Frenzy]

Well if ur only looking to buy one snake then a tank is just fine if you plan on breeding and have 50+ snakes like us then a rack system with tubs would be best. Heat tape will not melt the tub if you use a thermostat. You have to use a thermostat even with a UTH because they can get 120°. We also keep all our older snakes on aspen bedding and babies on papertowels.

[steve_r34]

what kind of snake are looking to get? depends on size of tub/tank and how quick to move up in
size . ball python u can house in a 12q sterlite tub for a year or so .. I usually take them out in between 600-800 grams n move to bigger tub

substrate is up to u aspen is good I use it but it doesn't hold humidity that well so im switching to cypress ..

u can use a tank if its gonna be a pet and not for breeding ur gonna wanna show it off cant really do that in a tub . ur just gonna have to tweek things to keep temps n humid right ..its annoying ..

I would keep the hatchling on paper towel for the 1st week or so cause its easier to check for mites that way

and a uth will melt the tub

hope this helps

[Marrissa]

[QUOTE=steve_r34;2220162
and a uth will melt the tub[/QUOTE]
Uh no. If you have your UTH cranked that high, you're doing something very wrong. I have UTHs on two tubs and a rack system (so tubs on heat tape).

[steve_r34]

what kind of snake are looking to get? depends on size of tub/tank and how quick to move up in
size . ball python u can house in a 12q sterlite tub for a year or so .. I usually take them out in between 600-800 grams n move to bigger tub

substrate is up to u aspen is good I use it but it doesn't hold humidity that well so im switching to cypress ..

u can use a tank if its gonna be a pet and not for breeding ur gonna wanna show it off cant really do that in a tub . ur just gonna have to tweek things to keep temps n humid right ..its annoying ..

I would keep the hatchling on paper towel for the 1st week or so cause its easier to check for mites that way

and a uth will melt the tub

hope this helps

my bad will NOT MELT

[Zippo]

Okay thanks guys. Yes I am wanting a ball python. I think I am going to stick with the tank as it will just be a pet and my only bp. Thank you for all the answers!