Help with tank setup for a Red Tail Boa

[Whodinidunit]

Hey guys:

I recently purchased a baby Red Tail Boa that is 100% het for snow. I am due to pick him up tommorrow and have a huge question and in need of advice on how to set his tank up. He/She is still small as it was just hatched in June of this year

This past weekend I actually got my hands on a huge 170 gallon tank the dimensions are 72"L x 22"H x 18"w came with a wooden cabinet stand. It was an old saltwater aquarium and this guy was just going to throw it out. Note: the boa was purchased before I got my hands on this tank.

Anyways, I would like to try and use this tank for him as I know how big I can expect him/her to get. I need help with know what temperatures I should try and keep the tank at? Humidity levels if needed? Should I use UTH, Ceramic heat emitters, UV or Heat lights or a combination of them? What type of bedding to use? Cage furnitures: hides, branches, etc?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated

[Whodinidunit]

Hey guys:

I recently purchased a baby Red Tail Boa that is 100% het for snow. I am due to pick him up tommorrow and have a huge question and in need of advice on how to set his tank up. He/She is still small as it was just hatched in June of this year

I realized this AFTER I posted it and wanted to corrected it. It was born, not hatched. I do know boas are born live not hatched in eggs, sorry guys

[qiksilver]

the cage can be furnished as you please. As can the setup for heating. Heating will depend on the setup, heat mats can be used under, or lights/che/rhp can be used for a raised basking spot. Humidity may be a problem in an aquarium but that can be solved. The good thing about a large tank is that there is more space to create a temperature gradient. In this case you could even play around with temp ranges and find a gradient that works better than the cookie cutter temp ranges given in caresheets.

[starmom]

Oh gosh- I really hate to put a hold on a person's dream, but.......

That's a really big environment for just a wee baby boa!!
Is there something smaller that you could use for this little guy for the first approx two years?

I have my boas in 3x2x1 RBI reptile cages and they work really well. I have them heated with radiant heat panels. Temps are set to about 90F and the humidity is 60% and the ambient temps are around 80-82F.

One of my boas is a bit over a year and another is coming up on a year old and I can see that I will be switching them over to the AP A30 cages (4x2x6) in another couple of months. My other boa is just a wee one so I'll wait another year to switch her caging.

Boas grow slowly relative to ball pythons. They really like climbing (at least mine do) and so having some height and climbing branches is a bonus!

I also wonder, with a tank that deep, how the heck you'll get this guy in and out when he becomes large. Boas are notorious (I've read and have been told by several boa owners) for showing their displeasure at having to exit and re-enter their enclosure. I just can't imagine trying to wrangle your guy out of a top-opening space....but that's just my lack of knowledge I'm certain. I also wonder how you'll be able to keep a very strong snake from pushing through the top of the tank and getting out.

I guess you have a different environment set up for the boa for tomorrow...?

I don't know....just my initial thoughts. I'll be interested to read what other more experienced boa owners have to say about this topic...

[qiksilver]

Oh gosh- I really hate to put a hold on a person's dream, but.......

did I misread? I thought they meant they'd use the huge tank for later when it had some size.

[starmom]

I don't know- it was a little ambiguous...
I read it and re-read it and it sounds to me like they are wanting set-up advice for the snake for now...???

[Whodinidunit]

Oh gosh- I really hate to put a hold on a person's dream, but.......

That's a really big environment for just a wee baby boa!!
Is there something smaller that you could use for this little guy for the first approx two years?

Along with the 170 gallon I did get a 75 gallon tank as well but it highter and narrower. plus it not looking in good shape needs to be cleaned really well and I think there is a crack in the plactic molding at the top for the lid. So it might not be secure.

I originally was gonna use a old Kitchen cabinet that I converted to a tank I origianlly had a Monitor in at one time and my Ball in for a bit after that. I was working on figuring a new front glass enclosure that would open from the front when I get the news about the 2 other tanks I aquired.

I am planning for a brief time until I get my tank setup to keep the little guy in a rubbermaid enclosure with a locking top that is 24"L x 16"w x 8"Dand keep a heat pad under at one side to keep him warm until I get his perm home setup. Which was going to be by this weekend hopefully.

[Whodinidunit]

did I misread? I thought they meant they'd use the huge tank for later when it had some size.

Well I kept thinking to myself it is a big tank for a baby as well. My partner is like it will grow into it and also this Lady who runs a reptile rehab called R.A.R.E (www.rarerehab.org) says the tank is good and the boa will grow into it. But I myself have been thinking the same thing about it being too big right off the bat

[Whodinidunit]

I don't know- it was a little ambiguous...
I read it and re-read it and it sounds to me like they are wanting set-up advice for the snake for now...???

I am picking the baby up tommorrow, so I will have it somepoit tommorrow and really need to figure out where it's perm home will be and how to set it up properly. I couldn't beat the price I got for a 100% het for snow RTB. I had other plans for a tank then was given this $2200 tank for free

[starmom]

I only have experience with my three boas...that's my disclaimer!

My boas are curious and interactive when they want to be. For this reason, they are in my living room. They look out of their glass doors and 2 of them lounge off of the cage floor a lot!! They appreciate height!!

My boas are also strong- even though they are still young. It always surprises me how strong they are. They also have a strike distance and speed that is simply amazing. When they strike their prey, they coil three and four times around it!! I'm sharing this because I don't know that a tub with such minimal height would be good.....but since it is very temporary....

Well, good luck. I'll be interested in knowing how you decide to go and, of course, I can't wait to see pictures of your new little guy!!