proper type of viv or "box" for a BP?

I've been browsing this forum for a little while now, but have never posted ( or made a user name until a few minutes ago ) ive been doing research for the past two years on balls and have come to love every one ive seen or handled. as well as every snake i've handled for that matter.. i do not yet own one but that is the reason for this post.

i have come across SO much information regarding the types of enclosures meant for ball pythons i dont know where to start. I'm a college student and therefor not overflowing with cash but i have more than enough to get an appropriate "tank" as well as vet care.

i just dont know what kind of enclosure to get. ive seen everything from deluxe reptile cages (300+ ) to rubbermaid sweater boxes ( 6.00 ). and i just dont know what to do. should i get a 20gal tank? what about locking lids for those, the last thing i'd ever want is my snake to escape ( for multiple reasons ). What kind of plastics can i not use with UTH? ( melting / fire hazards? heat conduction? ) and what would hold in humidity? i dont think balls are a high humidity species, but they should have it for shedding, right? Im not opposed to building my own even, i just want what is going to be best for my future pet.

sorry about all the run-on sentences. im on a roll!
-samantha

Hey there! Well, I found out from first hand experience that $300 doesn't get you as far as you'd like...so you're obviously on a tight budget.

Alright, so here's the set up I would recommend...and you can get most of it from RBI

Target/Wal-mart. Plastic tubs are cheap!

You can also get an Acu-Rite digital thermometer, which also reads humidity too! bout 12 bucks

Water bowl

Hides

Then, from Reptile Basics, you can get
http://www.reptilebasics.com/home.php?cat=248
Flexwatt heat tape. This is your heating source, and it MUST be controlled by a thermostat. A good starter t-stat is a Johnson:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/product...cat=250&page=1

You will also need some substrate. Most people use newspaper, however, I use newspaper with a bit of aspen bedding on top...it's all my preference.

That's it...your set up is coming out around ~100

Someone let me know if i've left out something (typing kinda fast :))

Hey and Welcome to the site "officially"

Glass enclosures can be hard to maintain the proper temps and humidity needed for a happy ball python. It can be done but it requires more effort and tweaking than you would have with a tub set up. If the room you're going to be keeping the snake in gets cool during the winter months or at night then you might want to shy away from a glass tank type enclosure.

I would go with a tub set up, depending on the size of the snake you will need the appropriate tub to go along as well as a UTH run preferably by a reliable thermostat. Ranco's and Johnson's will do the trick but Helix(more expensive) will ensure your snake has the proper temps at all times.

Rich over at Reptilebasics.com could set you up in a jiffy with your heating supplies. I started out in a glass tank and now would not part with my tubs for anything.

Hope this helps