Help me build the perfect tank for a b-day gift...

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Originally Posted by angllady2

I just want to say, I applaud you for coming here to research for your project instead of just building it with good intentions but no knowledge.

If you are doing it 4' long, that is really big for a ball python, so you are going to want to make sure you give the snake two identical hides at each end, as well as cluttering up the bottom with fake plants and bits of wood or bark, etc.

Fake plants are fine, I recommend silk over plastic, they are easier to clean and less likely to have injurious parts. Try to find some without metal stems, they will eventually rust even if plastic coated. Make sure there are no sharp points and no loops for the snake to get stuck in.

You will have a hard time keeping a cage that size evenly heated with just flexwatt, so a RHP might not be a bad idea, depending on the ambient temperature of the room the snake stays in.

Humidity is another issue with a tank that large, so you might want to research methods to help with the humidity in the DYI forum here.

Best of luck with your project, I bet your cousin will be thrilled.

Gale

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Thanks Gale.

I have shortened the cage by a foot, so it will now be a 2 foot tall tank with a 1 foot shelf on top that is removable in case the snake still wants more room. I've been looking at the DIY forums thanks to all of the posters in this thread and i have some pretty good ideas of what i'm going to do.

With a 2 foot tall tank, would the flexwatt be enough heat?

I'll be sure to post pictures of the process and what it looks like at the end.

We just built two cages that are both 3x2x2ft with flexwatt under a piece of flooring ran by a rheostat and a florescent light kit. The total space for one of these is equal to a 55 gallon tank and stays pretty stable once set up, the bit higher shouldn't bother to snake too much as long as it kept dark and comfortable for them. We only turn the light on when we're in the room since we have a light kit over our aquarium that's set for 12hr cycles. The ball I've got in one doesn't seem stressed at all with the height of the cage, same with the young boa in the other. Here's a pic of what the cages look like http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...s/SANY0546.jpg (excuse the mess, we had to move an old dresser out before putting everyone back into their new homes.)

1/8 inch glass or 1/4 inch glass for sliding doors?