Possible BP Cage?

[Jay_Bunny]

I have a cage that is just sitting in the corner gathering dust. I've been talking with my fiance and we have decided that we really want to get a BP as our next snake. We each have one snake. I have a corn and my fiance as a kingsnake.

This cage is 1ft wide, 2ft 1inch tall, and 2ft 6inch long. It has a screen top and two thin wire screen doors on either end with latches to keep them closed. I was wondering if there was any way of turning this into a ball python tank? I could reinforce the doors with a stronger mesh screen, or somehow close them up to prevent too much ventilation (drop in humidity).

[wax32]

Way more trouble than it would be worth!

I'm shooting myself for spending money on a 20 gallon long with a screen top. While it is secure... keeping humidity up is a real PITA.

If I didn't think my wife would shoot me for wasting money on the tank I'd swith my BP to a tub in a heartbeat!

A tub sized to keep a hatchling BP for a while will cost you $5 and be much easier to upkeep. Just don't forget about heat and a thermostat.

[Ginevive]

I would be a little leary. Some snakes can rub their snouts against screen and really rip themselves a new nostril. I would be more worried about this if the screen is on the sides, as opposed to the lid, which many people have no problems with.
If you got rid of those and maybe replaced them with glass or plexi.. it might be workable.. can you post a pic?

[eel88]

Tubs don't look pretty,.but you can make whats inside look real good. But getting a new animal in the house shouldn't be about what looks neat. BPs spend most there life in a burrow they can barely fit it. So a tub makes them feel secure. Yes some ball pythons climb but its not necassary. Id go for a 27qt tub for $5 dollars and get some luggage straps to tighten it down and away you go. Get a nice thermostat 60-70 dollars, some heat tape $5, and a nice digital thermometer. Youll be good to go for at least a few years. Then when your little one grows out of it get a 48qt for $10 and use all the other accessories for the new tub. On the DIY page there is a great link on how to set it up. Its cheap, ball pythons thrive in them. Personally if i want to admire how beautiful my snake is i take them out for a look. Many people use glass and it works for them. If you do use the tank make sure to cover up at least 3 sides with black paper or cardboard something to make them feel more secure. But for the amount of money and time you have to put for the tank it will grow out of anyways, trust me and get a tub.

[Jay_Bunny]

As for the heat tape, does it matter what kind of surface its sitting on? Will it damage wood, carpet, tile? I can get a thermostat this September and the other things as well. I guess I can put the tank away and use it for something else in the future.

[GirDance]

It won't burn your carpet per se... It will melt it, and then burn the rope matting underneath that holds the fibers together

[Jay_Bunny]

Sounds lovely. So what should the tub be on as far as surfaces go?

[GirDance]

laminated wood, pvc board, plexiglass, ceramic tiles...

Anything that won't melt, or that the instructions don't say "Do not put on this surface"

I attached little plastic feet to the bottom of mine so that the tub doesn't sit flush to anything

[Jay_Bunny]

I have the little plastic things to raise a tank/tub. What are its affects on wood?