New to ball pythons: A few noob questions!

Hello everyone. I'm in the process of preparing for my first ball python. She was born august 24th so she's not that old. I just had a few questions for those more experienced keepers. I'm currently working on my shopping list and I want to make sure I'm doing everything right since not only do I get very attached to my animals but she is also pretty expensive so....

1. I've heard that the younger ones should be kept in smaller enclosures. I have an exo terra tank 18W x 18L x 12H with the doors that latch in the front. Would this work for her and if so for how long? I also have a 20 gallon high fish tank with a screen lid if that would be better but I don't have locks for it. I would assume I could pick some up at a pet store though? The exo terra is just easier for me to get into so I would prefer to use it if I can.

2. I live in southwest florida but we just got a new A/C unit and it's pretty chilly in here at times so I'm wondering what I should use for heat. I was thinking maybe a heat emitter and a UTH combo and turn one off if it's not needed in the summer? What wattage of heat emitter would you guys recommend?

3. Substrate I'm thinking about using eco earth since I use it with my frogs and geckos. I always have it on hand and it holds humidity. I hate paper towels with any of my animals but if you know of something better I would definitely look into it.

Other things I'm buying for her are: 2 hides (one for warm side and one for cooler side of the tank), hygrometer, heavy water bowl, thermostat for the UTH, 2 thermometer gauges. Anything else I'm missing please let me know! Thanks! :)

Welcome to the site.

I would use the 18 x 18 x 12 cage, it should last a year or so. After that I would move up to a PVC reptile cage like these made by Animal Plastics

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/c22733cf.jpg

Keep in mind that UTH's don't increase the air temperature in the tank, so only use it to generate the hot spot of 90 degrees. A heat emitter or infrared heat bulb with a wattage of 75 should be enough. I would get a lamp dimmer to dial it in.

Eco Earth is great, but make sure that you don't make too thick a layer, as anything more that 1/2" will render the UTH useless.

Your list looks good, but let me recommend certain products, as almost everything sold in pet stores is overpriced junk:

Hides:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

Hygrometer:

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000...pf_rd_i=915398

Water dish:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/medium-water-bowl

Thermostat:

Budget: http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

Mid-Range: http://www.reptilebasics.com/ranco-etc-111000-pre-wired

High Quality: http://spyderrobotics.com/home/products.html

Thermometer:

This can be purchased at Walmart for $12 it measures 2 temperatures (the probe measures the hot side and the thermometer inside the unit measures the cool side) It also measures humidity.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...nt/photo-3.jpg

This is how I house all of my BP's, I have found that the simpler the cage, the better:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...ps743950fd.jpg

Awesome thanks! Your list will definitely help a ton. I'm super excited but a little nervous at the same time. I haven't had a snake in a loooong time and I've never had a ball. I don't want to mess anything up!

Well if you understand everything in these 2 threads you shouldn't have any issues at all:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...t-Thermometers

As long as you have the basics down the rest will come with time.

I see 60 watt, and 100 watt heat emitters but I don't see any 75. Do you think 60 watts would be enough or go for the 100 watt?

I would personally use aspen or cypress

I would go with 100 and turn it down to the right level with a lamp dimmer. Make sure that you get a quality lamp dome since the heat emitters get really hot.

I would suggest one of these:

http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/En...lnaHRpbmciO30=

http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/En...lnaHRpbmciO30=

I actually have one of those laying around. Thanks again!

So many different sizes of those hides. LOL wow I didn't think choosing hides would be so difficult. I'm guessing going with the small or medium?

You rock for doing your homework and making sure everything is perfect before your baby comes home :gj: Keep on being awesome :D

Do you have a scale?

This pastel BP weighs 200 grams, and is used the small size hide at the time

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/da98c371.jpg

This picture shows the mini, small, and medium size hides.

The mini is too small for BP's, the Small is great for hatchlings -350 grams, the Mediums are good up to 1200 grams

I do have a scale but I don't have her in my posession quite yet. I'll email the breeder tomorrow and ask about weight. I do know she looks nice and rounded and that she was born august 24th of this year.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by RoseyReps

You rock for doing your homework and making sure everything is perfect before your baby comes home :gj: Keep on being awesome :D

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Thanks Rosey! I do always try my best for my animals. They're like my kids lol. Sad when I see others that don't even bother to learn the basics when all they would have to do is a tiny bit of research or even ask. :(

I would assume she is under the 100g mark, maybe right around there. I think the small would be ideal for her for a while, then when she hits 300/350 (as Aaron suggested) move her up to the medium.
My girl hatched July 10th, eats like a pig, and is just over 150g.

I agree, smalls will most likely be the correct size.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I agree, smalls will most likely be the correct size.

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I have a lil guy that looks strikingly similar to the one you pictured. I bought the small sized hides from reptile basics and I really think they are too small for him. You really use them until 400g? Craig is only 180g but he barely fits in in upside down when I checked the size and when I put them in he only goes half way in then stops. The medium ones are a big jump so I went back to my cut down flower pots.

@ 200 grams

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/21819934.jpg

By 300-350 grams they start to "turtle" (push out of the hide because they are too big) but they like it snug. You can switch to mediums earlier, but there is a really big difference in size between the smalls and mediums.

cool thanks :)

So I was looking into the thermostats. I was thinking about going with Vivarium Electronics VE-200 or something similar and was wondering If this would control 2 different heating elements? Like if I bought only 1 thermostat would it be able to control both the UTH and the heat emitter or do I need to buy 2 of them (1 for each piece of equipment)?

the VE-200 will control only one zone. The only VE that does dual zone is the VE 300x2.

I would prefer to use a plain old dimmer with the CHE and use the thermostat for the UTH.

I was looking into the dimmers but the ones I saw looked like it was one button that you move up and down so it seemed like you would have a REALLY hard time getting it set right. If that's what is recommended though, I will certainly go with that rather than spend another $100 for 2 VE-200s lol. Thanks!

I was looking at this post because I am in the process of purchasing my first ball python. I am buying an animal plastics enclosure and was wondering how to secure the walmart thermometer that was mentioned to the hot and cool side of the cage.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dragonviper

I was looking at this post because I am in the process of purchasing my first ball python. I am buying an animal plastics enclosure and was wondering how to secure the walmart thermometer that was mentioned to the hot and cool side of the cage.

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Welcome to the site.

This thread goes over pretty much everything, but here are a few pictures of the thermometer mounting as well

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

The probe gets screwed to the floor of the cage directly over the flexwatt. You then drill a 3/8" hole for the cord to pass through

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0451.jpg

You drill another 3/8" hole on the back wall of the cool side for the cord to pass through, and install a screw for the thermometer to hang from

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0453.jpg

Finished Product

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...ps743950fd.jpg

Thank you :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FroggyCrazy

So many different sizes of those hides. LOL wow I didn't think choosing hides would be so difficult. I'm guessing going with the small or medium?

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Small for now. I will also plug Reptile Basics. Be sure to read their FAQs. Their email response is quite good too if you need product advice don't hesitate to shoot sales a line.