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BP Tank Debate

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  • 10-13-2014, 03:06 AM
    Shinopa T
    BP Tank Debate
    I have heard so many opinions on what tank size to use for a less-than-a-year-old ball python. I've heard "Use a 20 gallon long tank" quite a bit on iherp.com but I want to make sure this is the right decision. I don't want to have to purchase all the materials for it to find out it just won't work. I know ball pythons like small spaces (there will be a hide box), but what about tank size? Does it need to be on the small end or does it need to be relatively larger? And, if so, what tank in particular do you recommend?
  • 10-13-2014, 03:34 AM
    Eric Alan
    A 20 gallon long will work as they're growing up. It won't be big enough to house once it's grown though - you'll need a 40 gallon for that.
  • 10-13-2014, 04:28 AM
    Shinopa T
    Yeah, I know he'll need a 40 once he's an adult, but I mean at this stage.
  • 10-13-2014, 04:44 AM
    Eric Alan
    Re: BP Tank Debate
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Eric Alan View Post
    A 20 gallon long will work as they're growing up.

    ;)
    For help/direction in setting one up: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!
  • 10-13-2014, 12:15 PM
    Mr. Misha
    Re: BP Tank Debate
    If you have the means, i'd personally recommend starting with a PVC enclosure like Animal Plastics if you have the means to do it. The enclosure is big enough for a BP for the rest of their life and it will make it easier on you to keep humidity and heat at the right levels. Most importantly, you'll buy everything once and won't have to repurchase anything.

    You can always purchase a divider for the PVC terrarium so it doesn't overwhelm a small BP and then remove it once it has grown.



    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
  • 10-13-2014, 02:01 PM
    Shinopa T
    Re: BP Tank Debate
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Mr. Misha View Post
    If you have the means, i'd personally recommend starting with a PVC enclosure like Animal Plastics if you have the means to do it. The enclosure is big enough for a BP for the rest of their life and it will make it easier on you to keep humidity and heat at the right levels. Most importantly, you'll buy everything once and won't have to repurchase anything.

    You can always purchase a divider for the PVC terrarium so it doesn't overwhelm a small BP and then remove it once it has grown.



    Hmm.. Well *if* I decide to use a container what would you suggest? And how do I keep humidity and heat at the perfect temperature? Just not too fond of keeping an animal in a closed box.
  • 10-13-2014, 02:22 PM
    aalomon
    Re: BP Tank Debate
    Actually the screen on an aquarium will work against you as far as keeping heat an humidity at appropriate levels, it all just escapes through the top. The aquarium would be more for you than for your ball python.

    With tubs or PVC cages (Animal Plastics, Boaphiles...) you usually use a UTH attached to a thermostat. Humidity levels can be controlled by what substrate you use, how big the water dish is, and where you place the water dish. The snake also feels more secure in its "box" than it would in a fish tank, even a fish tank with lots of hides.
  • 10-13-2014, 02:39 PM
    Mr. Misha
    Re: BP Tank Debate
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Shinopa T View Post
    Hmm.. Well *if* I decide to use a container what would you suggest? And how do I keep humidity and heat at the perfect temperature? Just not too fond of keeping an animal in a closed box.

    Here's a great thread on how to setup a PVC enclosure: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=165571

    I personally heat all of mine with Radient Heat Panels (RHP) which are controlled by a proportional thermostat. In my case, I use Herpstat thermostats. I use coco husk for substrate which keeps my humidity around 60%.

    With PVC enclosures you can still see your BP explore. Here are my enclosures:
    http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14...b20bb13897.jpg

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
  • 10-13-2014, 03:11 PM
    Shinopa T
    Re: BP Tank Debate
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Mr. Misha View Post
    Here's a great thread on how to setup a PVC enclosure: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=165571

    Okay, I can definitely try that. What PVC container do you think I should purchase? I buy online, so if that's an option I'd like to see a link to where I can buy the one you suggest. :3
    I plan on using coconut substrate. What size of water dish should I use? And would a zoo med heat mat with a thermometer and hygrometer work for that? Orr..
  • 10-13-2014, 03:48 PM
    Mr. Misha
    Re: BP Tank Debate
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Shinopa T View Post
    Okay, I can definitely try that. What PVC container do you think I should purchase? I buy online, so if that's an option I'd like to see a link to where I can buy the one you suggest. :3
    I plan on using coconut substrate. What size of water dish should I use? And would a zoo med heat mat with a thermometer and hygrometer work for that? Orr..

    There's different kind of PVC enclosures. I personally would suggest either an Animal Plastic T8 or T10 should be more than enough for one or even two BPs if you decide to buy a divider. Here's their site so you can browse around: apcages.com

    Regarding the heating, I never tried heating a PVC terrarium with a heat mat and i'm not quite sure it would work. You're better off getting heat tape which costs 3 bucks a ft at Reptile Basics.

    Additonally, depending on how cold your place gets, you might need a RHP because heat tape and heat mats don't heat ambient air.

    Don't forget that additonally to the thermometer and hygrometer, you'll need a thermostat. Thermostats control how hot heat mats, heat tape and other heating devices get. Without that, you run a serious risk of burning your snake. I'd suggest a proportional thermostat like Herpstat or VE Electronics.

    This whole setup is definitely not cheap, but totally worth it in the end.

    Oh and for the water dish, the size is up to you. The coco husk will provide more than enough humidity for the whole terrarium.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
  • 10-13-2014, 10:55 PM
    Shinopa T
    Re: BP Tank Debate
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Mr. Misha View Post
    There's different kind of PVC enclosures. I personally would suggest either an Animal Plastic T8 or T10 should be more than enough for one or even two BPs if you decide to buy a divider. Here's their site so you can browse around: apcages.com

    Okay, I'm looking at the PVC T-8 with the sliding doors. I like it! I think this will work just fine.
  • 10-13-2014, 11:31 PM
    Shinopa T
    How much flexwatt would I need for the cage?
  • 10-13-2014, 11:35 PM
    Eric Alan
    Re: BP Tank Debate
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Shinopa T View Post
    How much flexwatt would I need for the cage?

    You don't need to pick that separately. Just choose the "Add Flexwatt Belly Heat" option with Animal Plastics and they will add on the correct amount for you.
  • 10-14-2014, 12:36 AM
    Shinopa T
    So much info to take in. :3 I've looked at the herpstats and was a bit agast at the pricing for them. I saw that there 4 different herpstats. Which one would fit the needs?
  • 10-14-2014, 12:38 AM
    JPR
    Re: BP Tank Debate
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Shinopa T View Post
    So much info to take in. :3 I've looked at the herpstats and was a bit agast at the pricing for them. I saw that there 4 different herpstats. Which one would fit the needs?

    For one enclosure the herpstat intro will do just fine. But realize one thing. Reptile keeping is about as addictive as heroine. Spend more money now, save some in the future...
  • 10-14-2014, 12:39 AM
    Eric Alan
    It depends on your goals. Are you looking to get one for just one snake?
  • 10-14-2014, 12:42 AM
    Shinopa T
    Re: BP Tank Debate
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Eric Alan View Post
    It depends on your goals. Are you looking to get one for just one snake?


    Just one
  • 10-14-2014, 12:49 AM
    Shinopa T
    With the florescent lights, can I change the bulbs to blue or red for night time?
  • 10-14-2014, 01:26 AM
    Eric Alan
    You can change the bulbs to whatever you'd like. As far as the Herpstats go, any one of the Herpstat 1s will work for you.
  • 10-14-2014, 01:57 AM
    Shinopa T
    Re: BP Tank Debate
    So long as herpstat keeps the tank warm and I can plug it into the flexwatt I won't have any complaints. So the intro should do just fine for that? What's the difference between the into and the 1.
  • 10-14-2014, 02:03 AM
    Eric Alan
    The Intro will work just fine, but for the $30 difference between that and the 1, I'd go with the 1 for peace of mind (extra safety features the 1 has that the Intro does not).
  • 10-14-2014, 03:50 AM
    Shinopa T
    Okay, here is what I have down then:

    PVC cage (T8 with lock and sliding windows)
    water dish
    herpstat (1 Basic)
    digital thermometer with probe
    coconut substrate (Kritters Krumble)
    2 or more hides
    flexwatt
    Hygrometer

    Anything else I should make sure to add? What kind of thermometer should I use?
  • 10-14-2014, 04:01 AM
    Eric Alan
    I'd get an infrared thermometer (a "temp gun"). They can be found for <$20 and are as accurate and versatile as you'll ever need. If don't go the gun route (or maybe you want both?), you could pick up a thermometer/hygrometer combo like the Accurite (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1).

    As far as hides go, check out the ones from Reptile Basics (http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes). They work well and are easy to clean - both good things.

    Other than that, just remember to add the Flexwatt on when you're checking out with Animal Plastics. It's not a separate purchase that you'll need to think about - just an add-on (like the door locks).
  • 10-14-2014, 12:28 PM
    Zincubus
    Re: BP Tank Debate
    Hey I've got a beautiful , matching pair of HC Albino matching 20" VivExotic wooden vivs and they not only look spectacular but they are super healthy and are both eating everytime . A while ago I put them both in larger , matching 36" vivs and they both stopped eating for months then when I put them back into their " cramped" 20" ones .....they started eating again.

    Just my choice but I don't understand why anyone would keep such beautiful creatures shut away in a RUB unless its just a space saving method.
  • 10-14-2014, 12:31 PM
    Zincubus
    BP Tank Debate
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by JPR View Post
    For one enclosure the herpstat intro will do just fine. But realize one thing. Reptile keeping is about as addictive as heroine. Spend more money now, save some in the future...

    So very true . I nearly got divorced fighting for to get one baby Corn snake .... Now I'm up to 13 and counting ...

    Corns / Royal / Boas / Kings / Black Garter snake and a baby Rhino Ratsnake :)
  • 10-14-2014, 01:30 PM
    Shinopa T
    Re: BP Tank Debate
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Eric Alan View Post
    As far as hides go, check out the ones from Reptile Basics (http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes). They work well and are easy to clean - both good things.

    What size of hide box would I need?
  • 10-14-2014, 02:23 PM
    Zincubus
    BP Tank Debate
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Zincubus View Post
    Hey I've got a beautiful , matching pair of HC Albino matching 20" VivExotic wooden vivs and they not only look spectacular but they are super healthy and are both eating everytime . A while ago I put them both in larger , matching 36" vivs and they both stopped eating for months then when I put them back into their " cramped" 20" ones .....they started eating again.

    Just my choice but I don't understand why anyone would keep such beautiful creatures shut away in a RUB unless its just a space saving method.

    Pics of my pair synchronised eating :)


    [URL="http://s39.photobucket.com/user/Zincubus/media/Albinos_zps230a88b9.jpg.html"]http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps230a88b9.jpg[/URL
  • 10-14-2014, 03:56 PM
    Hogosha
    Re: BP Tank Debate
    On tank sizes, have a look at my Facebook site "Designer Python" I posted a useful table there today on feeder and enclosure sizes.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
  • 10-14-2014, 05:46 PM
    Eric Alan
    Re: BP Tank Debate
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Shinopa T View Post
    What size of hide box would I need?

    The small size will work until they're 250 grams or so. From there, it's mediums until about 1000 grams. For the large size, I have a 2200 gram female that still fits without "turtle-ing" it. She is pretty snug in there, so I can't imagine they'd fit much bigger than that (they do have larger sizes, I just don't have any snakes that use them when they're that large yet).
  • 10-14-2014, 06:09 PM
    Shinopa T
    Re: BP Tank Debate
    Okay, thank you. They are relatively cheap so it should be fine. I might purchase a small and a medium though in case.
  • 10-14-2014, 06:14 PM
    Eric Alan
    That's what I did. Shipping charges add up, so if you're going to need them eventually, you might as well get them now. :)
  • 10-16-2014, 08:20 AM
    BrandyL1193
    Re: BP Tank Debate
    Id also look at LED lighting instead of the lights that you can buy with the ap cage. I love mine and it was less than 30.00. That way you can still watch at night!khttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14...f3a4f046b1.jpg
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