Enclosure - The forever home question

So its getting to become Christmas time and I'm being asked what I want. I know my BP needs a upgrade so I figure why not ask for that. Price isn't really to big of a issue. But here is what I came up with on thoughts when picking a enclosure.

Want the enclosure to be "view friendly", all the animals I own I like to be able to make it look realistic and nice to watch. I thought about doing a glass tank, but using a screen top with tin foil for humidity isn't really pleasurable to me (although that's what I am doing currently).

Want the enclosure to fit the snakes needs, so size is important. I know the care sheet says 36x18x12, is this correct for their life span?

Now suggestions? I looked at animal plastics T3, any one have input with that? Good/bad?
Recommend anything else?

This new setup will require everything new, so new UTH, new hides, new bedding, new lighting. Also need some form of heat control, any input on that I appreciate.

Last thing, do they make any with LEDs in them so they can run during night to give a moon effect? This way you can have that nice moon effect and also be able to see them at night?

I use a 40-gallon glass tank for my adult male. As long as you wipe it down every week or so, it is very transparent. If you're just using the basic heat pad plus light combo then any T-stat you are using right now should be OK. For my glass tanks, I like to saturate my substrate on a weekly basis and allow it dry throughout the week, my screen is unblocked. One thing to keep in mind though, is the more stuff you have in the cage, the more cleaning you have to do so it pays to have some nice front opening doors like those on AP cages...I love my 40-gallon, but having to reach in from the top every cleaning day does get a bit inconvenient.

A animal plastics T8 would be nice looking.

Yea I saw the T8 too but didnt know if that was to big, or really didn't know if too big is really a issue with BPs.

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Originally Posted by EWC88

Yea I saw the T8 too but didnt know if that was to big, or really didn't know if too big is really a issue with BPs.

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Too big is only an issue if too few hides. I think T8's are on sale now and would give you plenty of room for making things display worthy. A good book to check out if you have not already is The Art of Keeping Snakes by Phillipe de vosjoli (I probably butchered his name).

I will have to check that book out, thanks!

This my setup for my two ball pythons - this setup will last forever, I never plan on moving them out of it.

T8 from Animal Plastics w/divider, glass doors and lock (I house a ball python on each side)
x2 Reptile Basics 28 Watt Radiant Heat Panel (one for each side)
x2 Fluorescent Fixture (purchased with T8 from animal plastics)
Magnets - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (to mount the humidity/temperature gauge)
Timer - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (I used these to have my lights on an on/off timer)
Herpstat 4 (controls my UTH and RHP's)
Handles for the T8 Glass Doors - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
x2 NatureSun 2.0 bulbs (replaced the bulbs that are sent with the light fixtures from AP)
x2 Reptile Basic Hides http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes
Cable Mounts - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (used to mount RHP probes)
x2 Crock Water Dishes http://www.arcatapet.com/item.cfm?cat=1898
Substrate http://www.papermart.com/regular-b-f...s/id=4609#4609 - I choose this substrate as it looks nice and clean, it runs about $50.00, has lasted my over a year. I still have 1/3 of the roll left from a purchase on 11/2012
UTH - THG Heat Tape from Reptile Basics
Humidity/Temperature gauge - http://www.amazon.com/EXTREMELY-ACCU.../dp/B00BDN2ILC
IR Gun - I used this one - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1.
Stand - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-...to-55/20666560 (This is what mt T8's sit on, looks nice and length wise, measurements are perfect)


This particular setup is close to approximately $1200.00, but worth every penny. I don't worry about temperature, humidity, nothing, very easy to maintain and looks very nice. Below is a very detail post that gives some additional information about setting up a T8.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-With-Pictures!

T8s are also on quick ship.. so you don't have to wait as long to get it.

I would definitely get a t8. It's going to be the same price or even less then the smaller tanks they sell and be shipped out quicker then the others. If you feel it's too big buy it with a divider for now and when your ball gets bigger take the divider out and let him have the whole area.

Ok looks like the T8 is the way to go. Now with the enclosure, would a UTH be good enough or would a RHP be needed as well?