Tub and Heat Pad Question

I'm getting my baby ball python next month but I am going to have everything ready before I bring him home. I'm having a little trouble choosing the tub size for the little guy. I know most people recommend a 6 qt. tub for hatchlings but I wanted to get something slightly bigger. I was wondering if a 12 qt. tub will be ok for a baby BP? The 12 qt tubs measure 16"Lx11"Wx6"H. Also, exactly how long will this tub last my baby BP until I need to upgrade to a larger tub?

My last question is an 8"x8" heat pad ok to use with this tub? If I can, I will probably get some heat tape but for right now, I'm going to use a UTH.

If you want to use a UTH I would recommend ONE OF THESE Ultratherms from Reptile basics. I have one and they are great low wattage pads perfect for plastic tubs.

I concur with RetiredJedi. The Ultratherm is a great choice for a heat pad to use with a tub. I used to use that with my tubs before I got a rack and flexwatt.

I'm going to try one :) . I was just wondering do you need to use a thermostat with them? It says you don't have to use a thermostat with them but I wanted to be sure.

I would say having a thermostat won't hurt. Actually you probably should get one.

I would definitely get a thermostat. I know a lot of UTHs get around 120 degrees without one, not sure about the ones mentioned, as I don't have experience with them myself. I think a 12 quart tub will be fine for your baby, I kept mine in one when I got him and had no issues. It depends on the individual snake on how long he can stay in there. My guy was a slow start (didn't really want to eat), so when I got him at six months he was not too much larger than a hatchling, but he stayed in the 12 quart until he was a year old.

I like 15qt tubs for hatchlings.
6qt tubs work fine and I use them a lot but I try to move my hold backs to 15qt tubs as soon as they eat 3-4 meals :)

If you like to spend 30 bucks for heat that's fine but a piece of $3 flexwatt does the same thing ;)
You'll want a thermostat either way you go.

I agree with the thermostat. I have an ultratherm uth and without a thermostat, it goes over 100° in the tub.

yes I use a Thermastat with it and I just ordered flexwatt also. So I'm gonna get rid of the heatpad I got from Petsmart and use the Ultratherm for one of the encolsures since I like it so much and the flexwatt for the other two.