New here, with a baby bp, few nervous questions.

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Originally Posted by kb1290

Not all Petco employees are ignorant to proper husbandry. I am the aquatics/reptile specialist at my Petco and feel that I know what Im talking about :) Thanks

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I did not mean all, I have met quite a few on here that work at Petco/Petsmart and genuinely care for the animals and know what they are doing, but a majority do not. Which is what I meant, I apologize if it came out wrong.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

I did not mean all, I have met quite a few on here that work at Petco/Petsmart and genuinely care for the animals and know what they are doing, but a majority do not. Which is what I meant, I apologize if it came out wrong.

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I understand where your coming from and I'm not holding it against you. I just hate generalized statements, they are never really 100% correct. I know that my work place and other Petco employees do the best with what they are given. I've been reprimanded at work more than once for not selling our supplies to people on a tight budget, and recommending tubs, accurites, and paper towles instead. I also tell all of them to go to BP.net for their care sheets and questions.

Just me but I like the sweater tubs so much better than tanks. They hold the humidity so much better. They also take up less space. Congrats on your new baby.

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Originally Posted by nachash

if you are concerned about prices, then use a tub for now. The only reason my python has a 55gal tank is that I got it for the fair price of free :D
Get a plastic sweater box with the lid, poke holes along the perimeter of top
get one about 1.5-2 times the snakes length
And a UTH
And a thermostat

For hides with a baby snake, anything from a empty paper towel roll (sliced down middle) to a empty tissue box is fine. Maybe even go to the dollar store and get some fake plants
Caring for these snakes does not have to be an extremely expensive endeavor.

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Actually, an enclosure in which the length is 1.5-2 times the BP's length would be way too large.
If you do end up switching to a tub (which I highly recommend), a 28qt should be fine for your size Ball Python. An adult male and smaller female ball pythons can be housed in 32qt tubs. Females larger than 1500g can be housed in 41qt tubs.

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Originally Posted by Kymberli

Actually, an enclosure in which the length is 1.5-2 times the BP's length would be way too large.
If you do end up switching to a tub (which I highly recommend), a 28qt should be fine for your size Ball Python. An adult male and smaller female ball pythons can be housed in 32qt tubs. Females larger than 1500g can be housed in 41qt tubs.

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I've kept all of mine in 34 qt at some point (my quarantine rack). Even my small 105 gram female did fine in it as long as she had her two hides. Although the 28 qt may be better for smaller ball pythons.

I'm going with a tub =D you guys convinced me!~ sounds easier anyways.

So, Lets talk about Tub setup! (i did a search and didn't actually find a thread, would someone like to start one on the instructions of setting up a tub? I'll provide pictures of the steps if you want as i get to them ^_^

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Originally Posted by Iaunu

I'm going with a tub =D you guys convinced me!~ sounds easier anyways.

So, Lets talk about Tub setup! (i did a search and didn't actually find a thread, would someone like to start one on the instructions of setting up a tub? I'll provide pictures of the steps if you want as i get to them ^_^

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Well my tubs are on a rack from Walmart (like $50 bucks I think) and they are the 34 qt Sterilite tubs they sell there too. I use Flexwatt as the heat source (It's a flexible heat strip that you tape down to the bottom of the shelf, then the tub goes on tob of it). I use a Herpstat thermostat ($118) but you can get a cheaper one, especially if you're using a UTH instead. I like to spray paint the sides and back and lid of the container, it makes them feel more secure, but you'd have to let it air out for like 3 days before you put her in it. I just used the black satin spray paint from Home Depot. I use Aspen in my quarantine rack, and newspaper in my regular rack (much easier to clean I must say...) Here is a picture, I just have two Reptile Basics hides and a water dish in each.
http://i55.tinypic.com/2welw14.jpg
I use binder clips to secure the lids more, but I've seen people use luggage straps too. Since your little girl is so small, you could easily get away with a smaller tub, however you may need to upgrade in a year or so. My whole rack (not including the thermostat) cost me under $100...and that holds 3 ball pythons ;) It's now used as my quarantine rack, but it works well.

Tubs are ridiculously easy.

My personal thing is, I don't like the shallow ones, they are only 6" tall. I like my snakes to have some headroom, so I go out of my way to find ones that are between 9 - 11" tall. BUT that is MY and I stress MY thing. Hundreds of snakes are kept in 6" tubs just fine.

If this is your only snake at the moment, you can hold off on the rack. I get my tubs at Wal-mart. they have sterlite brand tubs with latching lids that I love for under $15. My favorite size is 12" wide X 11" tall X 20" long. The lid locks in place with handles on each end.

The basic floorspace is what is important. My rack tubs are 18" squares that are 9" high, and they work fine for all but my biggest girls.

Once you have your tub, you'll need to punch some ventilation holes in the sides. I use an X pattern myself, but it really doesn't matter. Start with 5 on a side, you can always add more if you need to. I use an inexpensive little soldering iron to melt the holes, you run less risk of cracking the plastic that way.

Get yourself a heat mat, you will want it to cover no more than 1/3 of the floor of the tub. Get yourself a thermostat or a rheostat { lamp dimmer }, you'll plug the heat mat into that. Get a digital thermometer, those dial things are POS. Accurite makes a thermometer/hygrometer you can pick up for around $15 at Wal-Mart, Lowe's or Home Depot. Look in the indoor/outdoor thermometer area.

I use Aspen shavings for my tubs, they hold humidity so well you don't need that "just add water" stuff. One water bowl, two identical hides and you are good to go.

Gale

There are actually quite a few threads with DIY directions, pictures and everything on tub setup. Helped me set mine up, but I'm on my phone right now so it's difficult to search and send them to you. :oops:

haha, thanks, I suppose i'm off to walmart XD I'm always afraid i'm going to buy the wrong stuff. and for that i wish my smart phone was.... smarter. anyways! Guess i'll give you guys a new picture of mysetup when i'm all done.