Are tanks really unsuitable?

I am new to BPs and have never owned a reptile, but have kept numerous freshwater fish and amphibians and as a result have a plethora of empty aquariums. Originally, I was planning on keeping a potential BP in an old aquarium, but after doing research have come across several sources that say glass tanks are unsuitable due to humidity issues and the lack of security. What type of setup do most people on here keep their BPs in? If there are significant benefits to using a vision-type cage I will absolutely do so.

What is the general rhetoric here regarding bioactive setups? I have a vivarium for my poison dart frogs that works seamlessly but I feel as if something as large as a ball python can't really work in a true vivarium.

Lastly, is there a guideline or calculator for enclosure size? I've heard from several places that a 40B is is standard but I prefer using measurements rather than specific cages.

Seems most people on here are against it but we just put our second glass tank together. No problem controlling humidity with an automatic mister and partially covering the tops with plexiglass. I just like being able to look into their world and neither of them seem too upset about us peeking in on them. They are not in high traffic areas though.

Right now using a mix of coconut and aspen for bedding. We do have to fill the mister daily to keep humidity up for sheds but not a big deal since we check temps and humidity daily anyway...

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I also use a tank for my ball python. It is harder to keep in humidity and stuff for sure but once you get the hang of it, it's really not that bad. I think tanks are fine if you're willing to put in the work for it.


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A tank would be the last thing I use for a ball python. Save yourself the headache and either get a PVC vivarium, rack system, or a stand alone tub.
Too much tweaking unless you live in an area with the correct temp and humidity 24/7.
Now, if we were talking desert species, a tank would be okay but I'm still not impressed. They take up too much room and you cannot stack them.

If set up properly a tank is fine. I used exo terras for 2+ years for neonate boas and ball pythons, and they worked wonderfully. Only reason I quit using them is everyone outgrew them.

I have tanks for mine. Temps are not the issue, humidity is. Totally doable though. I use cardboard over the mesh top wrap that in foil to keep the humidity in. I also use moss to keep humidity up as well. Totally doable if you mess with it and tweak it just right.

I live in a very humid climate to the point where for the life of me I couldn't get the humidity below 90%, until I moved him to a tank. Now even with a fan blowing across the tank and a screen top, I am always around 60-70%. So in my situation, a tank was a good option, but it definitely depends on your climate!


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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

I have tanks for mine. Temps are not the issue, humidity is. Totally doable though. I use cardboard over the mesh top wrap that in foil to keep the humidity in. I also use moss to keep humidity up as well. Totally doable if you mess with it and tweak it just right.

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Yeah, I do the same thing as well as misting and have a little bowl of water on the the hot side. During their shed cycle I put a little damp towel over the hide on the hot side to bring it up even more. I have also heard that having a live plant in the tank as well will help with humidity but I haven't done this myself. Just some options :P

Tanks are fine in my experience , although currently I'm only using 3 glass tanks/ vivs and 17 wooden Vivs ..

Just need a but of fine tuning and tweaking as already mentioned . They look far better than any plastic tub inho


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Glass CAN work, it just takes a little more time and effort.

It can be tricky to get started, as well as maintain, especially for beginners. But many, many beginners make it work. If you're willing to put in some extra effort and take a little extra time with the trial and error phase you can get things right and then just make seasonal adjustments and follow up with regular maintenance.

That being said, I currently use glass for all of my snakes. However, if my financial situation allowed, I would have all of my animals in PVC enclosures. They are just easier, while still maintaining a good look.