Well, maybe I am going to open a can o' worms here but I want to make sure that I'm being a sufficiently good snake keeper. Sorry for the long post, but I really appreciate advice from established keepers.

I have two animals right now, a JCP and a Gray Banded Kingsnake. Both are now about 16 months old, growing well, healthy and very hand tame (although the JCP rarely lets you pick her up without trying to take her branch out with her). I'm adding a new one shortly, a neonate BRB, and I thought it was a good time to brush up on my husbandry, and make sure that I am doing a good job before adding to my collection.

Both of my animals are in 29g aquariums, as will the BRB. The Kingsnake has a heating pad under 1/2 of the tank on a thermostat, and a 50w IR bulb that is turned down with a rheostat just to bring up the ambient a bit. There is a warm-side hide and a cool-side hide, plus a medium sized water dish. Ambient tank temp is about 75, hot side hide about 85 and cool side about 72. I keep humidity low, about 30% or so since it's a Southwest region snake. The tank has a clamped-on wire mesh top. Substrate is aspen over paper towels. She is eating a medium mouse once a week, although I think she is ready to move to a ten-day feeding cycle. She's a bit plump.

The JCP tank has a 75w IR bulb on a rheostat as well, in the center for a hotspot. The tank also has a clamped on wire mesh top, but I have covered it with plexiglass, with only a hole cut out for the lamp. The hotspot is about 85, and ambient is 77-80. I mist daily, and humidity drops to about 45% or so, jumping back up to about 70% after misting. Substrate is a mix of repti-bark and shredded coconut husk over paper towels. There is a large water bowl in this aquarium. I plan to build her a 4'x2' cage next year and possibly put a Chrondo in this one at that time She is eating a weaned rat once a week, and what a feeding response!

Water is topped up daily for both animals and completely replaced (and the bowls cleaned) every two to three days.

Tank cleaning is every six weeks or so, everything is removed and the substrate fully replaced. For disinfecting I actually just use a 50% white vinegar/50% water mix in a spray bottle. All bowls, hides, plants and the tanks themselves are disinfected at this time. I have never had an issue with mold and I keep my substrate clean with daily inspection for feces and urates.

My animals are beautiful, ravenous eaters, and there has never been a sign of disease. I handle the Kingsnake weekly or so, she is incredibly tame. The JCP I get out at least three times a week since she is a bit flightier. I have only been bitten once, and that was the day I brought the JCP home. No good bloody finger pictures to show, sorry

For the BRB, I plan on running two UTHs with Thermostats at 85 and 75 with hides on each side, a large water dish, a clamped-on wire mesh lid with a full plexi cover to keep in the humidity and heat in.

So, does it sound like I am ready to move to a more advanced species like the BRB?

Thanks for your time in reading this, and thanks for your advice!