What to do at night?

my corns are very active they are all over their enclosures. they are still young, and they can be a little flighty. but once you handle them they start to settle down. my amel aflie is quick when i first take her out, but after a few mins she calms down and just chills like a ball python. my other one snacho will almost jump out of my hand, so i handle him a couple of mins 3-4 times a day and hopefully he will tame down.

since you are a first time snake owner i would stick with the ball python and learn how to manage husbandry, and how to read a snake. then further down the road you can get a Boa, which in my opinion are great display snakes.

i started with a ball not so long ago, then i got hit by the bug and now i want one of everything. maybe you'll be the same way...

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Originally Posted by sweety314

there is a tub setup DIY sticky.....http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=40

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Ok, I have read this sticky and some others and it seems to have the same issues as the glass tank would with needing 2 UTH's and controlling each with a separate thermostat for hot side and cool side. The only difference seems that with the tub, it better holds in moisture and the tube itself is cheaper. But if the $40 for a glass tank and covering the screen top of a tank with foil to hold in moisture doesn't concern you, is there really a difference?

Or, does a tub setup allow you to only need one UTH for the hot side? I know gradient temperature control is critical for a BP so I just want to be able to provide the best environment possible.

Hello, I have read as much as I could about the pros and cons of all tank setups. This is what I have went with and it works great for me. My snakes are pets and not to breed, I went with a very high dollar plexiglass tank that I am thinking now may be a better type of plastic. I bought it from a relative for $100 and glad I did, my bp is 30" and was outgrowing her old tank. It's a 55 gallon tank that is 48" long, it holds the temps at a steady 94 during the day and 86-88 during the night. I use 2 heat lamps, one is a 150 watt for day heat and is a clear bulb which I have read helps the snake. I then use a red bulb for the eveing and night so the snake can still be viewed. I have both bulbs set up with a rheostat and a timer switch. The day bulbs is on from 7am-7pm and then shuts off then the night bulb comes on and runs from 7pm-7am. It has worked great for me for 3 months now, my snake is very healthy and doesn't seemed stressed at all. It never turns down a meal, and the humidity level is 50-60 and has had 2 good sheds. I read several articles that plexiglass tanks don't hold the temp. but I have not had any problems. I had to tweak the setup to get the temps just right. The timers also mean I don't have to mess with the bulbs from day to night.

thanks for the input. I think im going to go with my original plan of glass tank, herpstat II and 2 heating pads (one warm side, one cooler side) or maybe heat tape if people think it is better, and cover the screen top with foil to hold in moisture.

I would also suggest you get some of the 3/4" foam insulation board to put on 3 sides and the bottom of the tank. Glass is just not a good insulator and you'll end up losing alot of heat out of the sides. The insulation is pink or white, and not very attractive, but you can get patterned contac paper(shelf paper, it's sticky) and cover the insulation board pieces.

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Originally Posted by SatanicIntention

I would also suggest you get some of the 3/4" foam insulation board to put on 3 sides and the bottom of the tank. Glass is just not a good insulator and you'll end up losing alot of heat out of the sides. The insulation is pink or white, and not very attractive, but you can get patterned contac paper(shelf paper, it's sticky) and cover the insulation board pieces.

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yes, i will def. do that.