Benefits of snake enclosures vs aquariums

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Originally Posted by Regius_049

For a ball python, I would highly recommend:

http://www.apcages.com/home/terrestrial/T10/T10.htm

http://www.reptilebasics.com/reptile...ge-ships-flat/

Either of those would be great for an adult ball python. I would not recommend an aquarium for the following reasons:

1. Glass is extremely heavy, especially with substrate in it.



2. If you go with the glass aquarium you will likely either need a custom lid or have to foil/wrap a portion of it to keep in humidity. Glass itself holds humidity fine, but few commercial terrariums come with humidity appropriate lids.

3. Glass has a higher thermal conductivity, which makes it a poorer insulator than plastic. Also, the plastic in the above enclosures is much thicker than aquarium glass so, in short, keeping in heat is much easier with thick plastic.

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Are there any cheaper options for an enclosure like this? I can drop $250 on it if I have to, but I would prefer not to if it isn't necessary.

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Originally Posted by Glass

Are there any cheaper options for an enclosure like this? I can drop $250 on it if I have to, but I would prefer not to if it isn't necessary.

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You could always check your local classifieds or FB groups to see if there are any used ones. What about a tub?

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Originally Posted by MD_Pythons

You could always check your local classifieds or FB groups to see if there are any used ones. What about a tub?

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I took a look on my craigslist and only found glass terrariums/tanks. I'll try to look for a local group. Are there any places you would recommend?

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Originally Posted by baldegale

i can attest to the humidity, it was insanely hard to keep the humidity in a glass tank above 30% unless my room itself was humid.

weight can be an issue for some, i can personally lift a 40 breeder critter cage by myself, its just an awkward thing to carry. then again, ive never owned a PVC enclosure, ive built all of mine out of wood (talk about heavy)

if you wanted to, you could go out and buy thin acrylic to put over the top screen. will cost you $20-$30 at Home Depot. this might help keep in humidity, cant say for sure though, just an idea.


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“Talk about heavy”
I feel ya, I built my 6ft by 3ft retic tank out of 3/4 inch melamine before moving down two flights of stairs.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d3d633d6b3.jpg

I agree that humidity is very hard to keep up in an aquarium. Pay the little more money and get the right thing that will work the best.


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Originally Posted by dylan815

“Talk about heavy”
I feel ya, I built my 6ft by 3ft retic tank out of 3/4 inch melamine before moving down two flights of stairs.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d3d633d6b3.jpg

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i had an 8ftx4ftx3ft tortoise tank that was made out of half inch plywood and like 8 2x4s that thing was IMPOSSIBLE to move. now i have a 4ftx2ftx2ft bearded dragon tank made out of 1/4in ply, 2x2s and plexi, and a 5ftx2ftx2ft tortoise tank made out of 1/2in ply and 2x2s. hes going outside during the summer though


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You can always tub it.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

You can always tub it.

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this too. tubs are super easy to set up and definitely cheap.


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heres a good thread on getting a tub set up: Vypyrz Tub Set-Up, The Basics...*DUW*
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sha...5&share_type=t


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Tub with same footprint as a 40-breeder with a secure lid. Put a large under-tank heater regulated by a thermostat under it and call it done.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hefty-100-Q...g-Lid/50150118

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Originally Posted by Glass

Are there any cheaper options for an enclosure like this? I can drop $250 on it if I have to, but I would prefer not to if it isn't necessary.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

You can always tub it.

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You can provide all the husbandry requirements you'll need in a tub, it just won't look as pretty. They make large tubs that work for adult ball pythons.

You can use this one:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Tub with same footprint as a 40-breeder with a secure lid. Put a large under-tank heater regulated by a thermostat under it and call it done.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hefty-100-Q...g-Lid/50150118

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Or,in my opinion, a better choice is a Christmas tree tub:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/IRIS-Holi...x-Red/55526277

They sell them at a variety of places (Walmart, Lowes, Container Store, etc.) and they are only like $30-$40. They are roughly the same size as the two PVC enclosures I suggested previously (52" x 21" x 14").