Small tubs out of necessity or because of space?

I have endlessly searched these forums for this question (I live on here). Do most breeders keep BPs in 15qt tubs until they are 500-1000 grams out of necessity or because of space? I have always had enough 32 qt tubs to put 70 gram+ BPs in, and they gain weight great to my standards.

Do most of you keep them in the smaller tubs because you think that they really do thrive in the smaller tubs then when moved into bigger or otherwise? This will be my first year of actually putting all my pickups into 15 qt tubs right off the bat. Around a year ago I acquired a reptilebasics 8 slot 15 qt tub rack with an Alife thermostat for $75 off craigslist (won't be using that thermostat), I couldn't pass it up. The rack will now be used (can't wait to fill it up).

What are your thoughts on this?

Can't speak for others but I'll keep grow ups in 6qt tubs till about 300-400g depending on how they are eating. Then they go to 32qt tubs till about 1,000g. Then the girls go to 41qt tubs.


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I just know that ball pythons often feel more secure in a smaller enclosure, this is the main reason for most I think. Each snake is different.

I completely believe in ball pythons needing small enclosures. They spend 80 to 90% of their lives in small burrows they can barely fit in. I'm just not sold on a 800 gram BP that will take up over half of a 15 qt tub without a water bowl needing to be in that small of one or not...

The most important thing is to make sure they have the space to thermoregulate. With too small of a space they may not be able to cool down or heat up properly. Food for thought.


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I got a baby ball a few yrs back before I started breeding, and I stuck him in a 32qt tub, well he promptly went off feed, and didn't start feeding again til I moved him to s smaller tub. So yeah I do the step system up when it comes to hatchlings.

Now the snake room looks like this
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...DSCF2584-1.jpg

Thank you llovelace, I have been thinking I might have been lucky to have 400 gram or less animals flawlessly never go off of feed from switching them instantly to 32qt tubs. This question is more for my future rack system. I would like to build something that holds at least 20 or so tubs and am debating on making them all 15qt or maybe even 6qt as you do. I just need educated options over my personal opinions and experiences.

How many others have had problems with snakes going off feed in 32qt tubs? It would be better for myself to save as much space as possible using smaller tubs. I also do not have a heated room to dedicate to my snakes. I have always built my racks with back and belly heat, belly heat providing the hot spot and back heat providing an adequate ambient temp. I'm not sure I will do that with the 6 or 15qt tubs. I have read enough people provide a hot spot alone and as long as the temps are not getting too cold they will still thrive...

Also, thank you for the visual llovelace!!! It was much appreciated.

You will notice blue lid tubs in the 32qt racks, those are 15 qt rubbermaid tubs, I love them, cause with the lids on, they can be kept in the 32qt rack.
The other 15qt tubs are sterlite ones, and they do not fit in the racks :mad:, that's why they are stacked on the top shelf of the hatchling rack w/ heat tape tacked to the wall for back heat.

you could do dividers!