Advice for Beginner setup. Read my list, make suggestions for alterations please.

[specialk01510]

So I am going to be setting up a tank before I buy my BP. This will be my first snake. I am planning on a normal male most likely. I am still a little unsure about the sex, but I think a male will be better due to smaller size, but at the same time a big ole female would be sweet. Are there any significant differences that would make me favor one or the other other than size? I am looking to set up fairly inexpensively however I am not against spending more money for quality to an extent. I am looking for spending like $150 for the setup. No more than $200 preferably.

Please look over my list of supplies and products that I have assembled so far and please comment or suggest alternatives or advice that can help.

1. I plan on a 20 gal tank to start with. How long would this last me if I chose to go with a female? I understand that a tank is more difficult to maintain the environment conditions, but I am dead set on a tank. I may upgrade to an animalplastic in a year or two, especially if I need to expand for a female. I am looking for one on craigslist to save money so I can spend it on other materials.

2. ReptiTemp 500r- I read that these are pretty good for the price. I was recommended a Helix by an admin, but they are really pricey. I also read somewhere to get an AcuRite thermometer, but if I have a ReptiTemp, would I need both? I am a little unclear/confused on this subject.

3. ZooMed UTH- Read good things about them. Any reason they arent good?

4. I am going to get a ceramic heat emittor and a light hood. What wattage would you recommend? and would an 8 inch hood be big enough?

5. ZooMed Aspen substrate- How many quarts should I get for my tank?

6. 2 hides- I was told to stay away from log hides. How big should I aim for? I assume small hides, but maybe medium.

7. 1 climbing log

8. 1 heavy water bowl large enough for snake to lay in


Additional items:

9. I was looking for possibly getting a temp gun to spot check temps. What brand and model would you recommend that is fairly inexpensive and reliable?

10. PAM mite killer- seems to be most recommended

11. What cleaning supplies would you all recommend?

Im sure I am forgetting something as I am doing this list mostly off the top of my head. I have done lots of research about getting a snake before I pull the trigger on getting one. I unfortunatly wasnt smart enough to take notes on what to buy. Please comment and make all the suggestions you want. I encourage all the feedback whether positive or negative.

I would like to thank everyone in advance for any comments. So far everyone here has been quite helpful with any questions I have had via PM's.

[abuja]

So I am going to be setting up a tank before I buy my BP. This will be my first snake. I am planning on a normal male most likely. I am still a little unsure about the sex, but I think a male will be better due to smaller size, but at the same time a big ole female would be sweet. Are there any significant differences that would make me favor one or the other other than size? I am looking to set up fairly inexpensively however I am not against spending more money for quality to an extent. I am looking for spending like $150 for the setup. No more than $200 preferably.

Please look over my list of supplies and products that I have assembled so far and please comment or suggest alternatives or advice that can help.

1. I plan on a 20 gal tank to start with. How long would this last me if I chose to go with a female? I understand that a tank is more difficult to maintain the environment conditions, but I am dead set on a tank. I may upgrade to an animalplastic in a year or two, especially if I need to expand for a female. I am looking for one on craigslist to save money so I can spend it on other materials.

2. ReptiTemp 500r- I read that these are pretty good for the price. I was recommended a Helix by an admin, but they are really pricey. I also read somewhere to get an AcuRite thermometer, but if I have a ReptiTemp, would I need both? I am a little unclear/confused on this subject.

3. ZooMed UTH- Read good things about them. Any reason they arent good?

4. I am going to get a ceramic heat emittor and a light hood. What wattage would you recommend? and would an 8 inch hood be big enough?

5. ZooMed Aspen substrate- How many quarts should I get for my tank?

6. 2 hides- I was told to stay away from log hides. How big should I aim for? I assume small hides, but maybe medium.

7. 1 climbing log

8. 1 heavy water bowl large enough for snake to lay in


Additional items:

9. I was looking for possibly getting a temp gun to spot check temps. What brand and model would you recommend that is fairly inexpensive and reliable?

10. PAM mite killer- seems to be most recommended

11. What cleaning supplies would you all recommend?

Im sure I am forgetting something as I am doing this list mostly off the top of my head. I have done lots of research about getting a snake before I pull the trigger on getting one. I unfortunatly wasnt smart enough to take notes on what to buy. Please comment and make all the suggestions you want. I encourage all the feedback whether positive or negative.

I would like to thank everyone in advance for any comments. So far everyone here has been quite helpful with any questions I have had via PM's.

1. The tank would probably last you about 2 years; until she was 36 inches thereabout.

2. I'm sorry but I really don't know.

3. I have one and it works just fine.

4. I don't know because I don't use heat lamps; they aren't necessary.

5. Enough to fill about 1-2 inches substrate.

6. I like exo-terra reptile caves because the snake fits snugly inside. Your bp needs a hide small enough that she/he fits snugly.

7. That isn't required because bp's aren't really climbers, but if you have the cash, go for it!

8. Good.

9. I got mine from a local Harbor Freight.

10. That'll work.

11. Some disinfecting wipes or soap and water will probably do the trick.

Good luck! Hope I helped.

Sam

[Spaniard]

1. I plan on a 20 gal tank to start with. How long would this last me if I chose to go with a female? I understand that a tank is more difficult to maintain the environment conditions, but I am dead set on a tank. I may upgrade to an animalplastic in a year or two, especially if I need to expand for a female. I am looking for one on craigslist to save money so I can spend it on other materials.

A 20 gallon long should house an adult male bp its entire life span.

2. ReptiTemp 500r- I read that these are pretty good for the price. I was recommended a Helix by an admin, but they are really pricey. I also read somewhere to get an AcuRite thermometer, but if I have a ReptiTemp, would I need both? I am a little unclear/confused on this subject.

I have no experience with these; I used dimmer switches when I first started then upgraded to a proportional Helix. Personally I would rather use a ranco/johnson on/off thermostat as opposed to the 500R but that is my opinion. There are many people on here that recommend them as well as an equal share of people that do not.

3. ZooMed UTH- Read good things about them. Any reason they arent good?

They are ok, I use flexwatt which is also cheap and very reliable. You'll want to make sure you cover 1/3 of the floor space with either option.

4. I am going to get a ceramic heat emitter and a light hood. What wattage would you recommend? and would an 8 inch hood be big enough?

Ceramic heat emitters are better than heat lamps but they will still suck a lot of the humidity out of the enclosure. Preferably you'll want to achieve the proper temps of 90-94 on the hot side and 80-84 on the cool side with only belly heat via a UTH.

5. ZooMed Aspen substrate- How many quarts should I get for my tank?

You'll want to have an inch or so of substrate in the tank; too much substrate will not allow heat to transfer properly.

6. 2 hides- I was told to stay away from log hides. How big should I aim for? I assume small hides, but maybe medium.

Hides should be tight fitting to the snake. You will go through a few different sizes the first 2 years as the snakes grow a lot in that time. People use flower pot sauces as well as plastic bowls from the dollar store for a cheap alternative.

7. 1 climbing log

More visually appealing than anything. Your snake may utilize the climbing log more frequently when it is young but as they get older and larger they tend to favor the ground.

8. 1 heavy water bowl large enough for snake to lay in

Most ball pythons will not soak if husbandry requirements are being met.


Additional items:

9. I was looking for possibly getting a temp gun to spot check temps. What brand and model would you recommend that is fairly inexpensive and reliable?

http://www.tempgun.com/order.html#pe1

10. PAM mite killer- seems to be most recommended

Always good to have a can of this stuff around; especially when buying from questionable sources.

11. What cleaning supplies would you all recommend?

Chlorhexidine.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/Chlorhe...z-p-16137.html

[specialk01510]

Thanks for the tip on the temp gun. I think Ill get one of the cheaper ones. They look pretty good and the cost is good.

Thanks for the other advice aswell. I would have to have a 30 gallon tank to house an adult female, but how long would one be good for in a 20? I am starting to want a female cuz she will grow a lil larger. Seems like the reason I first wanted the male ended up being the reason I dont. Idk.

Im looking forward to starting to buy the supplies and tank. I still have to decide where I am going to get my BP. I have been toying with the idea of getting it online from one of the more reputable breeders. Its a pretty far drive to the nearest reptile show, and its a month away (just missed it). I dont really know of any reputable breeders in my area, so I am thinking online will be the best option.

[justind]

Most ball pythons will not soak if husbandry requirements are being met.

I agree your BP will likely not utilize a large water bowl. but the bigger the better when you are housing a BP in a tank. keeping the humidity up in a glass tank with aspen can be tricky so I would get the biggest water bowl I could. Aim for more surface area over depth. Also a bigger water bowl will take up more room and perhaps add some security, you want lots of clutter so your BP doesnt feel like it's in a big open space.

[specialk01510]

I agree your BP will likely not utilize a large water bowl. but the bigger the better when you are housing a BP in a tank. keeping the humidity up in a glass tank with aspen can be tricky so I would get the biggest water bowl I could. Aim for more surface area over depth. Also a bigger water bowl will take up more room and perhaps add some security, you want lots of clutter so your BP doesnt feel like it's in a big open space.

Is there something else that you recommend instead then? I thought I remembered reading that aspen was easier to hold moisture with than alot of the other substraits. Perhaps I am misremembering.

[mrshawt]

Is there something else that you recommend instead then? I thought I remembered reading that aspen was easier to hold moisture with than alot of the other substraits. Perhaps I am misremembering.

Cypress mulch, Repti bark, newspaper, and paper towels all hold humidity pretty well.

[blackcrystal22]

Is there something else that you recommend instead then? I thought I remembered reading that aspen was easier to hold moisture with than alot of the other substraits. Perhaps I am misremembering.

Aspen is a fine substrate.

If your getting a hatchling, I don't recommend starting with a 20g. 20g tanks fit adults fine but a 10g would better suit a hatchling or young ball python. 20g might be too much space at once and cause eating problems and stress.

[justind]

I wouldn't go as far as saying aspen is better at holding humidity than other substrates but there is nothing wrong with it. What I meant is keeping the humidity up in a glass tank in general can be tricky and a large water bowl can help.

[Spaniard]

Aspen is a fine substrate.

If your getting a hatchling, I don't recommend starting with a 20g. 20g tanks fit adults fine but a 10g would better suit a hatchling or young ball python. 20g might be too much space at once and cause eating problems and stress.

I agree.

Or another option could be a 15qt Tub. They're cheap and easy to maintain; you could raise you snake in there until it is large enough for the 20g.