Considering Getting a RTB, some questions

I would have to say avoid glass. A big aquarium is not only harder to heat and maintain heat than a plastic cage(www.boaphileplastics.com), they also weigh a ton and are a lot easier to break. Also, you will probably pay more for a glass tank than the $209 SHIPPED for a 4' by 2' boaphile cage. Well worth the money in my eyes.

I'd probably get the boa from a reputable source. Just b/c it comes with a low price tag doesn't mean its a good deal. Shop around online and see what else there is out there. You can get baby boas from highly reputable sources for not much more than 60$ that you know are healthy. If you are going for cheap, I can't help you. You get what you pay for really.

Ok, I talked to my manager, and apparently the guys who bred the pythons don't do boas. The company that's selling the boas are selling wild caught ones, so I think I'll go to Plano Pets first, before shopping online. The guy there was really cool, and he's been breeding captive boas and pythons (used to breed balls, now breeds a few albino burmese) for quite some time. Plus, I don't really trust online sites unless I can keep in contact with the breeders. I might just end up buying one directly from the breeder at Plano Pets.

So here's my current plan for the setup:
10 gallon-sized tub/aquarium if baby, bigger if not
Probably all undertank/side of tank heating through heating cord (kind of like heating tape)
Tree bark bedding
Various containers for water and hides(if needed)

I wouldn't support Plano Pets... Or anyone who sells puppy-mill puppies and kittens. Just gross.

You can find a very healthy, well-started juvenile boa from a very reputable breeder. Texas has TONS of reptile shows where you can see the babies and handle them, and know you are supporting a good breeder and not someone who is "questionable".

The next show in Arlington is on July 14th-15th. There's also one in San Antonio on June 9th-10th. www.texasreptiles.com

And remember, you also need a quality thermostat to control that undertank heating, as well as appropriate sized hides, a digital thermometer, insulation for the tank if the room you are keeping the tank in is cold, etc. I would really recommend having the enclosure set up for awhile so you can make sure the temps will remain stable and keeping humidity in isn't a problem.

I keep my boas in relatively cool rooms with no problems at all. If they need to get warn, they have a heat pad

True, I just don't like any of my snakes breathing in cold air that isn't humid. Like us in winter, they can get all dried out and possibly get an URI.

I guess it goes down to what works best for you. The rooms are usually around 75 ish at the lowest. When it hits about 80+ in the room, I usually turn the heat off for the day

Like already mentioned, quarantine!! You cannot skip that step if you want to be a good snake keeper.

That said, not all internet breeders are unreliable or what-have-you. I have my favorite breeder that I bought Kona, my Colombian red tail boa, from. Each and every time I email them, they respond quickly...within a day or two, usually within a few hours, depending on the time I emailed them. They are kind, open, honest and Kona is in perfect health, eats without problem every single week and is growing into a gorgeous young man. He costed just over $100, but he was well-worth it. I am so happy with him, and so happy with the breeder. I wouldn't support a store that sells puppy mill puppies or kittens, either, as SatanicIntention stated. That is completely wrong in my eyes. There are plenty of good internet breeders if you cannot find a GOOD source around you.

My second boa, Marley, came as an "accident." Long story, so I'll skip it. Currently, Kona is housed in a tub...95 quarts, I think. When I first got him, I kept him in a 10 gallon tank for all of about a month. He got very possessive of HIS tank and would not allow touching. He would come out on his own, but nip if you tried to take him out. So, I got this big tub and he turned less space-defensive. When he gets a bit bigger, he will be moved into Marley's big glass reptile tank (don't know what brand, size, nothing, just that it's comfortable for him and i take him out ALOT so he's happy for now) and Marley will be moved into a Boaphile.

Low prices do not mean quality animals. You want a snake that is going to be healthy, and not cost you a ton in vet bills. Whatever decision you make, I highly suggest taking the snake for a vet visit, anyway, to ensure health. I do that with all mine not long after acquiring them. Good luck, whichever way your mind goes!

Very true about the price thing. I thought the ones my manager was getting were from a quality breeder, but like he said, they might be wild caught, and that's probably why they're cheaper. Maybe if they were already at the petstore for some time, and showed no sign of illness, would I then buy it. For now, I'll continue looking around... might wait until that reptile show, too. I just want a healthy, good-looking juvenile boa (I prefer to raise them myself), and I'm not in any rush to get one.

And what's a puppy/kitten mill?

Puppy/ kitten mills are like factories. They only produce animals for financial gain, and animals are kept in filthy, crowded, disease-ridden conditions. Adults are bred too young and overbred/bred until they die basically. Animals are normally kept in wire bottomed cages that aren't cleaned.

http://stoppuppymills.org/

Those "mills" sicken me everytime I see or hear about them