curious about tank size

i just got a BP(which i formerly owned) from a friend and the tank is all wrong. Its in what appears to be a 40 gallon tank with a sliding lid, however the lid doesnt lock into place becuase its bent and the tank itself is cracked in many differnet places. As a result im looking to rehouse the snake. Its approximately 3 feet long and weighs almost 800g, is a 20gallon tank an appropriate size or should i get something bigger? Also i have a spare hide lying around that i would like to use in his enclosure but its got a lot of speckles of paint on it and im wondering if this would be harmful to the snake.

thanks

Myself personally I wouldn't have a problem housing a BP that size in a 20 gallon, especially if it were the long and not the tall, but a tall might still be doable if that is all you have, as for the paint I would probably try to find something different, but that is just my opinion. Good luck with your new critter...:D

The general rule is the tank should be 2/3 the length of the tank! So a 3 foot snake should be in a tank that is 24 inches minimum! Of course you would want something bigger to give growing room! A 20 long would be fine for a snake up to almost 4 foot in length.

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Originally Posted by shining apprentice

i just got a BP(which i formerly owned) from a friend and the tank is all wrong.

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How is is that you used to own the snake? Did you lose it in a bet, and then win it back? Or did you buy it back from your friend?

I know it wasn't your question -- just curious...

-- George

Would a tub be just as good for this size snake? I like tubs alot better then tanks :)

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Originally Posted by f4n70m

Would a tub be just as good for this size snake? I like tubs alot better then tanks :)

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Yes. I use 32qt tubs for snakes of this size.

OP: A 20g Long tank would be good for a snake that size and probably for its whole life.

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Originally Posted by seeya205

The general rule is the tank should be 2/3 the length of the tank! So a 3 foot snake should be in a tank that is 24 inches minimum! Of course you would want something bigger to give growing room! A 20 long would be fine for a snake up to almost 4 foot in length.

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Correction: I meant to say the tank should be 2/3 the length of the snake!
Example: 3 foot snake(36 inches) needs a 2 foot tank(24 inches)

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Originally Posted by seeya205

Correction: I meant to say the tank should be 2/3 the length of the snake!
Example: 3 foot snake(36 inches) needs a 2 foot tank(24 inches)

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Hmm really? And where did u see this? :P Seems right since they liked to be cramped :P Good thing snakes are snakes. Id have back probs if i lived like that lol

It is length plus width of the enclosure should be longer then the snake.

IMO i like to use a 40gal. breeder...
I don't really use tanks anymore, but hen i did, i tricked em out with big water bowls, a few hides, and tons of plants.

but a 20 gal. would be great too.

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Originally Posted by FIEND_FO_LYFE

IMO i like to use a 40gal. breeder...
I don't really use tanks anymore, but hen i did, i tricked em out with big water bowls, a few hides, and tons of plants.

but a 20 gal. would be great too.

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Many ball pythons would not eat in enclosures that large.

20 gallon tanks would suit an adult ball python for it's entire life IMO.

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Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

Many ball pythons would not eat in enclosures that large.

20 gallon tanks would suit an adult ball python for it's entire life IMO.

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Hence why i stated, tons of plants, hides, ect. I used to keep all my BPs in 40 gallons. All ate, and seemed to do great...

None were stressed that i could tell, i think its just how you keep the enclosure.

it was the first snake i ever owned, it didnt eat for 6 months and i got really put off by it so i gave it to a friend and bought a baby on sale from petco(i know im retarded)...the baby died with in the first month and with in a couple months of me giving away this guy it started eating for the new owner so it was just my lack of knowledge.

now he got kicked out of his apartment for being doing illegal things and he wasnt able to keep it and was gonna leave it there so i took it back.