Something that I have seen done to get a little more life out of that 55 while working on your bigger enclosures: turn it on its side. As long as you have a secure lid, now door, this doubles the foot print of your tank giving your snake more space to roam. Also about hauling the tank up and down the stairs... why not make a knock down enclosure? One that can easily be unscrewed into a few more handable sections if moving it through tight spaces is needed. Just a thought.