Setup planning before Repticon

[walzon1]

So quickly, after much research I've decided to allow my daughter to get BP for her first pet. My personal background is in aquariums and vivariums so this is new to me.

My budget is around 200 -250 for setup and BP. So I realize that either I'm going cheap on the setup and getting a better morph or going luxury on the setup and getting a normal.

So how would you guys go about this? What can I skimp on and what should I spend more on?

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[55fingers]

If it were me, I'd get a better morph and go for a simple setup of (and these are approximate prices based on what I purchased them for):
$30 tub (the size will depend on the size and gender of your snake and how much space you want it to have)
$5 heavyweight water bowl
$20-30 2 reptile hides (or you could do what I did and get 2 plastic tubs from the dollar store and diy them into hides)
$5 eco earth brick (what I use, but a lot of people use paper towels, butcher paper, unprinted newspaper etc)
$10 AcuRite thermometer/hygrometer with probe
$20 tempature gun
$20-30 under tank heater
$20-600 thermostat

If you have money to spare, spending it on a reliable well-functioning thermostat is the smartest thing to do. I have a century thermostat which was around $20, but it isn't very reliable compared to a herpstat as it's an on/off thermostat and takes a lot of adjusting and monitoring and can be off by a few degrees.

This tub setup works for my adult male (it might change a little if you're getting a baby). You should have enough to spend on a fair morph if you go for something like this. The only thing is you can't even see the morph in a tub very well compared to a tank, but ball pythons aren't very good display animals anyway as they are always hiding. Just be aware of that.

Some people prefer to use a tub only while they save up for a custom enclosure like from Animal Plastics. That's an option as well. They have the display and visibility of a tank while holding the humidity and tempature needed for a ball python.

This community is very helpful and has a lot to offer, so don't be afraid to ask questions! Good luck!

[Lord Sorril]

So how would you guys go about this?

I don't know how old your daughter is: I don't recommend ball pythons for children because the snakes tolerate handling, they do not enjoy it: Digestion and shedding times must be respected. If the snake is really for you: and 'for your daughter' is what you tell your partner--that is a different story

For $200-250 I'm sure you could create a setup that will work for that budget with a Normal ball python in it. As a veteran reptile keeper I wouldn't even bother with a setup that didn't have a pulse/dimming proportional thermostat controlling the heat sources. You might be able to find used proportional thermostats (Herpstats/Vivarium Electronics) on Craigslist (depending upon your area)...they are the one thing I wouldn't skimp on...

Note: Don't forget that buying frozen food in bulk is probably your most economical option...there is a cost associated with that as well...

[Craiga 01453]

Your equipment should be your top priority.
They ALL have the same needs, regardless of paint job. Would you sacrifice your home for a great haircut and an outfit?
Avoid "starter kits" or "complete setups". The majority of the stuff they include is junk and you'll be buying everything twice.

That's a VERY tight budget if you want to do things right.

Another thing to consider: snakes live 25+ years in capacity. So what's the plan long term? Does your daughter have college plans? Most dorms won't allow pets, let alone snakes. So are you willing to care for the animal in that scenario? Also, many apartments don't allow snakes, most young kids need roommates and finding an apartment and roommate that tolerate snakes may prove very challenging.

[walzon1]

We are very much aware of care and needs of animals and have been researching close to a year. I wanted to ask the forum cause I read conflicting information in regards to care.

I see people keeping healthy BPs using cheap Amazon equipment as well as the professional stuff. If the health of the animal is utmost importance then which is okay and at what point will the health of the animal suffer.

For example thermostat on/off vs proportional , tank vs bin etc., Not trying to be cheap just trying to find a middle ground.

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[Stewart_Reptiles]

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ips-and-Tricks

My main recommendation don't be one of those people getting an adult setup for an hatchling or Juvy thinking you are saving money, because saving money will be one thing the troubles you will run into will be another.

[bcr229]

Cheap Yet Safe Enclosure:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hefty-25-Ga...Lid/1000505547 $18

Dollar Store Melamine Bowls (2) $2

UTH, Thermostat, & Thermometer (don't skimp on these):
http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultrath...ter-uth-11-x11 $20
http://www.reptilebasics.com/ve-hobbystat $70
http://www.reptilebasics.com/TG-1 $20

Hides: Get some of the Ramen meals that are around a buck apiece and come with the plastic containers. Eat the food (cheap lunch), run the container through the dishwasher, cut off a corner of the container to make an access hole, and you have a hide for a baby snake for $1.

Substate: newspaper

Even with tax and shipping you're all in for under $150 and that setup will last your snake for life; you'll just need to upsize the hides as your snake grows. Clutter up the tub with excess hides or newspaper so the baby has hiding places until it grows up.

[RedRabbit]

Just chiming in on the thermostats! I agree that the thermostat is where I would invest a bit more if you have any spare room in your budget. I started out with an on/off thermostat because that was what was readily available at my local reptile store when I was gathering up supplies for the setup for my first snake. However, I found that I was not a fan of it - the temperature range and fluctuation was just too wide, such that even when I had it set to a threshold of 86 F with the probe flush against the heat mat, I'd be getting measurements above 95 F on the inside surface of the tub before it would auto shut off, then it would bottom out almost to the same temp as the cool side (~80 F) before turning on again.

From there, I made the direct leap to the expensive but reliable quality Herpstat 2, since I knew I was going to be in it for the long run with more than one snake, but I believe there are a number of proportional thermostats available that are more budget-friendly.
- There's the Herpstat EZ1 priced at around $80 - https://www.spyderrobotics.com/index...products_id=75 - compared to well over $100 for any of the other Herpstat line products.
- I also remember seeing someone inquiring about the 600W thermostat from Exo Terra, which was their first offering that is a proportional thermostat (their 100W and 300W versions are both on/off). I usually see these for sale around $50-$60, which is honestly a pretty accessible price point for a beginner setup. https://www.amazon.com/Hagen-Terra-R...92899510&psc=1

[Cheesenugget]

I highly don't recommend ball pythons as a first snake to own. Their feeding strikes can be very stressful for you and your daughter. And mistakes can happen especially since you will new to husbandry requirements like maintaining humidity, gradient temps, how to help your snake feel secure, etc. Don't rule out other much easy to care and feed snakes like corns, baird's rat snakes, trans pecos and rosy boas.

With that said, I would start with tubs. Costs aside, I would focus on making sure your bp eats, consistently, first and foremost.

[FollowTheSun]

I 2nd the above comment. I have both a rat snake and a ball python. Rat snakes and corn snakes are very similar and this is what I would recommend as a first snake, or a kingsnake. Very easy to care for and their temperature and humidity parameters are much less demanding. They are very easy feeders and very docile especially if you raise them from a hatchling.

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