New to ball pythons: A few noob questions!

Hello everyone. I'm in the process of preparing for my first ball python. She was born august 24th so she's not that old. I just had a few questions for those more experienced keepers. I'm currently working on my shopping list and I want to make sure I'm doing everything right since not only do I get very attached to my animals but she is also pretty expensive so....

1. I've heard that the younger ones should be kept in smaller enclosures. I have an exo terra tank 18W x 18L x 12H with the doors that latch in the front. Would this work for her and if so for how long? I also have a 20 gallon high fish tank with a screen lid if that would be better but I don't have locks for it. I would assume I could pick some up at a pet store though? The exo terra is just easier for me to get into so I would prefer to use it if I can.

2. I live in southwest florida but we just got a new A/C unit and it's pretty chilly in here at times so I'm wondering what I should use for heat. I was thinking maybe a heat emitter and a UTH combo and turn one off if it's not needed in the summer? What wattage of heat emitter would you guys recommend?

3. Substrate I'm thinking about using eco earth since I use it with my frogs and geckos. I always have it on hand and it holds humidity. I hate paper towels with any of my animals but if you know of something better I would definitely look into it.

Other things I'm buying for her are: 2 hides (one for warm side and one for cooler side of the tank), hygrometer, heavy water bowl, thermostat for the UTH, 2 thermometer gauges. Anything else I'm missing please let me know! Thanks! :)

Welcome to the site.

I would use the 18 x 18 x 12 cage, it should last a year or so. After that I would move up to a PVC reptile cage like these made by Animal Plastics

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/c22733cf.jpg

Keep in mind that UTH's don't increase the air temperature in the tank, so only use it to generate the hot spot of 90 degrees. A heat emitter or infrared heat bulb with a wattage of 75 should be enough. I would get a lamp dimmer to dial it in.

Eco Earth is great, but make sure that you don't make too thick a layer, as anything more that 1/2" will render the UTH useless.

Your list looks good, but let me recommend certain products, as almost everything sold in pet stores is overpriced junk:

Hides:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

Hygrometer:

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000...pf_rd_i=915398

Water dish:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/medium-water-bowl

Thermostat:

Budget: http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

Mid-Range: http://www.reptilebasics.com/ranco-etc-111000-pre-wired

High Quality: http://spyderrobotics.com/home/products.html

Thermometer:

This can be purchased at Walmart for $12 it measures 2 temperatures (the probe measures the hot side and the thermometer inside the unit measures the cool side) It also measures humidity.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...nt/photo-3.jpg

This is how I house all of my BP's, I have found that the simpler the cage, the better:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...ps743950fd.jpg

Awesome thanks! Your list will definitely help a ton. I'm super excited but a little nervous at the same time. I haven't had a snake in a loooong time and I've never had a ball. I don't want to mess anything up!

Well if you understand everything in these 2 threads you shouldn't have any issues at all:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...t-Thermometers

As long as you have the basics down the rest will come with time.

I see 60 watt, and 100 watt heat emitters but I don't see any 75. Do you think 60 watts would be enough or go for the 100 watt?

I would personally use aspen or cypress

I would go with 100 and turn it down to the right level with a lamp dimmer. Make sure that you get a quality lamp dome since the heat emitters get really hot.

I would suggest one of these:

http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/En...lnaHRpbmciO30=

http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/En...lnaHRpbmciO30=

I actually have one of those laying around. Thanks again!

So many different sizes of those hides. LOL wow I didn't think choosing hides would be so difficult. I'm guessing going with the small or medium?

You rock for doing your homework and making sure everything is perfect before your baby comes home :gj: Keep on being awesome :D