New Ball Python Owner

[mmager21]

So I need some advice, I'm getting my first ball python very soon and she's already a year and a half old. She's 18 inches long and decent healthy weight. My breeder had told me a 20L reptile enclosure will be fine for her until I have to upgrade to a 40 gallon. I'm wondering though if I could just get a 40 gallon enclosure and she would be fine or if I have to get a 20L? Also wondering if 40 gallon enclosures only come as breeders or if there's such a thing as a 40L or of they are the same thing.

Just need advice!

Thanks

[BR8080]

Congratulations on your first snake.

Have you considered a PVC enclosure or are you set on an aquarium style tank?

I'm new to snakes as well and find the majority of folks with tanks, myself included, have humidity issues and have to tweek things to get it right. (ie. foil or some other method of covering the screen but not too much or the humidity will be too high, but just enough to hopefully regulate it properly)

Conversely, the owners with PVC enclosures rarely talk about humidity problems.

This just my opinion, not the rule. Good luck.

[Regius_049]

I would highly recommend a polypropylene tub for her hatchling to juvenile enclosure. They are inexpensive and easily turned into an ideal snake setup. Polypropylene is FDA approved, non-porous, and very easy to clean. Plastic also conducts heat far better than glass, thus you we have an easier time heating it and achievable what conventional wisdom would consider "ideal conditions". Walmart carries good Sterilite containers or you can look for IRIS tubs as well (Container Store almost always has these).

Once she gets larger (say 500+ g) you can move her to a more final enclosure, of which I would suggest either an animal plastics T8/T10 or a Constrictors NW PLM482314. I personally lean towards Constrictors NW as I prefer polyethylene to PVC, but that is up to you.

[mmager21]

So I'm not exactly set on a glass enclosure presay but I want to be able to show her off in her cage and see her easily. I've heard about the humidity issues with glass enclosures but my breeder told me to just mist her and the cage twice a day and it'd be fine. I'm just not sure what's to do now if anyone has advice feel free to contact me directly with a private message.

[bcr229]

Based on your location it gets very, very cold and dry in the winter. Consequently you will have a very difficult time with keeping the heat and humidity at appropriate levels for a ball python if you use a tank setup.

I would get a tub for now, and a PVC enclosure in the future. There are very nice ones where you can have a good view into them and you can easily maintain the proper environment for your new pet. The AP T3 is currently on sale for $175 and it would last for the life of your snake.

[mmager21]

I'm concerned if I order an enclosure online though like a PVC one that I could have problems assembling it or it arriving damaged. Also my issue with tubs is that I wouldn't be about to see her very well or display her cage at all. And yes being in Minnesota is very cold now in the winter so that's another factor when it comes to her enclosure, especially considering she'll be in my bedroom and my bedroom is in the basement of my house it's the coldest room in the house. She's my first snake, basically my baby of sorts I want to do this right but have to upgrade will be a pain so I'm trying to learn what's good to go with and what's not.

[BR8080]

I'm concerned if I order an enclosure online though like a PVC one that I could have problems assembling it or it arriving damaged. Also my issue with tubs is that I wouldn't be about to see her very well or display her cage at all. And yes being in Minnesota is very cold now in the winter so that's another factor when it comes to her enclosure, especially considering she'll be in my bedroom and my bedroom is in the basement of my house it's the coldest room in the house. She's my first snake, basically my baby of sorts I want to do this right but have to upgrade will be a pain so I'm trying to learn what's good to go with and what's not.

I've spoken to Ali at Animal Plastics several times and she is amazing. Although I haven't received the enclosure yet, from what I've seen on you tube they are as simple to assemble as a bookshelf bought at Ikea with simple tools (no power tools needed). As far as damage is concerned, someone here had a damaged piece and they overnighted the replacement.

Long story short, it's your decision as to what best suits your needs. Good luck, you'll find some great info here and "on the line" (yes I'm quoting the movie The Internship).

Kudos for you to investigate BEFORE getting your new snake.

[jmcrook]

I will say personally that I had a fantastic customer service experience with Animal Plastics. Got two T8s with locks, Pro-Heat RHP installed, LED channel cut for my own light strip, and they were an absolute breeze to assemble. Detailed instructions but no-brainer assembly. I've also heard from other folks here that they'll overnight or at least ship the same day for damaged parts.
They did take about 7 weeks instead of the 3-4 they told me but then offered $45 credit for my next order. Needless to say, that $45 is buying me a shelf in whatever size cage I order for my SD retic next. AP has my business for sure. I'm actually going to ask about a couple custom mods to the next cage if they can cut the pieces I'm thinking about.


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[jmcrook]

I will say personally that I had a fantastic customer service experience with Animal Plastics. Got two T8s with locks, Pro-Heat RHP installed, LED channel cut for my own light strip, and they were an absolute breeze to assemble. Detailed instructions but no-brainer assembly. I've also heard from other folks here that they'll overnight or at least ship the same day for damaged parts.
They did take about 7 weeks instead of the 3-4 they told me but then offered $45 credit for my next order. Needless to say, that $45 is buying me a shelf in whatever size cage I order for my SD retic next. AP has my business for sure. I'm actually going to ask about a couple custom mods to the next cage if they can cut the pieces I'm thinking about.
So yeah, setting up a tub while you wait for a PVC enclosure would probably be the most upfront initially but be the best investment in the long run. I will also say that as a long time glass enclosure and Neodesha Plastics cage user, AP or a comparable set up is far far better.

(Sorry for the double post. Tapatalk is being really crappy the last few days.)

[Mundjj]

I am new to this forum but not new to snakes(been more into RTB's then Balls). While I will echo the fact that a PVC enclosure is most likely your best bet followed by wood, glass can work. Let me state this again if you have the ability to get any of the fine PVC enclosures out(ie the money) do so. If not the general rule of thumb is as long as you give your new snake plenty of places to hide I have found it is a lot better for the snake just to grow up in its permanent home then have enclosures grow with it.