Need help getting all the pieces for a really good Ball Python enclosure

[squale]

I just got a 6-month old Male Ball Python and right now I have him in a 10-gallon aquarium with a screen top, and a 50watt heater bulb. I have newspaper as the substrate, a 5 inch water bowl and a little hide box. Currently the temps are staying around 77 degrees on the hot side and the humidity is only about 31%. I don't think that 50watt bulb is enough to keep the cage warm and I think the low humidity isn't good either. Just for information, I keep my house at about 63-67 degrees during the winter.

Anyhow, I want to get a GOOD setup for the snake and was hoping people here could help me with recommendations on what I should buy. I was looking at either Vision or Animal Plastics cages they seem pretty good, but if there are better please let me know. I would like to get a cage that is big enough to house my snake once he is full grown, as I don't want to spend a lot of money now to just turn around in another year and spend it all again on a bigger cage. I guess I can put a few hide boxes in a bigger cage for now so he doesn't feel unsecure.

So with that being said, I guess to start some of the things I need recommendations on are:

-Cage (size, type, manufacturer, etc)
-Heating Source (Thermostat?)
-Lighting
-Substrate
-Hide Box(s)
-Water Bowl
-info on what temps and humidities I should keep for my snake
-Websites of places that carry this stuff CHEAP, not like the rip off pet stores around me.

Thanks I really appreciate the help!

[recycling goddess]

you can use a lot of recycled materials for things like your hides... so they can cost you nothing.

a rubbermaid type of container is great for balls. won't cost you much at all. you just use a drill or a soldering iron to put some ventilation holes in the sides.

UTH is the best heat source - a human heating pad is not and neither are overhead lights (as they dry the air too much).

you can use newspaper for substrate which is also free.

and a website you can get most of your needs from Matt:

http://www.mgreptiles.com/

i've never ordered from him, but he seems to have a good reputation on this site (i'm relatively new here as well)

i'm sure others will chime in with more info soon.

and welcome!

[recycling goddess]

I'm copying and pasting this from another thread for you. I hope Jo doesn't mind...

"a nice appropriately sized sterlite or rubbermaid tub from WalMart or such like is very reasonable setup as it's so easy to get it ready and steady for a new snake coming in. A baby BP doesn't need or want a huge enclosure anyways so you'd likely be looking at less than $10.00 for one. Add in a soldering wand for around $6.00 (so easy to melt in the ventilation holes). A couple of hides and a water dish from any dollar store/WalMart type place will run around $5.00 total (lots of ideas for these just ask or forum search). Paper towels or newspaper for substrate to start off a new snake, maybe free or $1.00. Under belly heating, depending on choice say $20.00. A small tub in a decently warm room shouldn't need two different heat sources as far as I'm concerned. I think that's it (did I forget anything folks?)

So that total is about $42.00 for a simple, easy to maintain enclosure for a ball python. I didn't add in a rhenostat, tstat, dimmer, whatever as that's a wide range of choices with a wide range of costs.

Glass tanks will give you more of a "showcase" effect but if you are looking for something easy to regulate as far as heat and humidity, easy to clean and easy on your budget that's the way to go in my opinion.

Do make sure if you go with a plastic tub that it has very good lock down type clips plus add to your budget something to make sure the snake can't get out....some folks use bungie cords, suitcase straps, big clips, weight of some sort...whatever works to make sure a determined snake can't get out.

Hope this helped somewhat."


~~Jo~~
__________________
Joanna & Mike
1.0 100% het for albino BP - Malachi
0.5 normal BP's - Brannagh, Saoirse, Orlah, Kyna & Rionach
0.1 albino Nelson's Milksnake - Emi (daughter Beth's snake)
1.0 BCI - Ruari (enjoying his stay at Camp Hiss ~n~ Slither)
"Of all the days, the day on which one has not laughed is the one most surely wasted -- Sebastian Chamfort"

[squale]

I am really considering the Animal Plastic T3 in BLACK, is this big enough for a full grown adult BP?

and what do you think the better door option is, the sliding glass doors or the swing open doors? I want something that is VERY VERY secure...

[daniel1983]

The T3 is just fine for an adult ball python. I keep my larger bps in enclosures that are only 36" x 17" x 6"....

[squale]

okay so I am going to get the T3 in black. what type doors should I get, sliding or swinging? what are advantages/disadvantages of each?

also, what is the best heat setup for this tank? (ie. the built in belly heat, or using flexwatt on the outside of the underneath of the cage, etc?)