Enclosure Shopping List

Looking to get a enclosure set up for a Young Ball Python and want to avoid over/under buying and would like to have it cost under $150

Are the “Starter Kits” Worth messing with if they can be bought new for half price or $99 shipped
https://www.amazon.com/Hagen-Terra-S.../dp/B01M9GGJFL

It would need an additional hide and a thermostat to meet some of the recommendations I have read.

Buying everything separate is fine also if it would be better for the animal and myself and if the budget needs to be higher that would be easy also.

I think you'd do better buying "a la carte". Glass tanks are $1/gallon new at Petco on their periodic sales (so $20 for 20 gal.) & the temp. gauge looks
like the cheesy unreliable kind (also avoid the little stick-on humidity gauges they sell, they aren't accurate either). Important to buy quality UTH or
other heat devices (RHP or CHE, depending on the kind of cage you're using) AND a thermostat, this is NOT an "option", it's a must for safety, yours as
well as the reptile's. While I'm thinking about it, the last time I bought "hides" they came from Reptile Basics, & they have UTH & lots of other stuff too.
www.reptilebasics.com/

I went with a TGR rack system.. It is an enclosed single tub/rack system.. I haven't had any problems getting my little guy to eat once he was settled in and hes gotten quite confident in his new home. I absolutely love mine.. I think its about 70-80 bucks with heat table installed on it. All you need is a thermostat to plug it in to. If you got the money I would recommend one.. They're extremely easy to keep humidity and temps in the correct range and comes with all of the heating you will need. Again, please make sure to use a thermostat with it as heat tape can apparently get quite hot.
There is a couple week delay on build time tho.

Start with an appropriately-sized Hefty clear tote with the top held on by latches:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hefty-15-Qu...Lid/1000505523

Add a small heat pad and thermostat, two cheap hides, melamine or plastic pet bowl from the dollar store, IR/point thermometer, and you're still under $100.

Very little in that starter kit is appropriate for a ball python.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Start with an appropriately-sized Hefty clear tote with the top held on by latches:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hefty-15-Qu...Lid/1000505523

Add a small heat pad and thermostat, two cheap hides, melamine or plastic pet bowl from the dollar store, IR/point thermometer, and you're still under $100.

Very little in that starter kit is appropriate for a ball python.

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On a plastic tote set up how is the heat pad applied to be safe.

https://www.amazon.com/Century-Therm...ith+thermostat

Quote:

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Originally Posted by giltyler

On a plastic tote set up how is the heat pad applied to be safe.

https://www.amazon.com/Century-Therm...ith+thermostat

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Heat pad under the tote, and the probe goes between the heat pad and the bottom of the tote. It's safe because you are using a thermostat, which prevents the heat pad from getting over the set temperature.

Heat pad and thermostat probe for it never go inside the enclosure.

I vote starting with a tote/tub setup as well for you- it'll be much easier in getting a happy, eating young bp.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

Heat pad under the tote, and the probe goes between the heat pad and the bottom of the tote. It's safe because you are using a thermostat, which prevents the heat pad from getting over the set temperature.

Heat pad and thermostat probe for it never go inside the enclosure.

I vote starting with a tote/tub setup as well for you- it'll be much easier in getting a happy, eating young bp.

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I like the tote ideas as well after looking at the benefits it offers I think my original want for the aquarium route was more for me having something pretty to look at.

Are there proven thermostat options you guys or girls recommend

Quote:

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Originally Posted by giltyler

Are there proven thermostat options you guys or girls recommend

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If you're talking about brands, Herpstats hands down. The best of the best. They're more expensive but they are worth every penny. You'll be glad you have it as it's the most reliable brand out there with proportional heating controls.

https://www.spyderrobotics.com/index...=index&cPath=1

If you're talking about placement, the method listed above. It can apply to glass tanks as well but I agree with Red and vote for a tub/tote set up over glass). The main thing is you don't want the thermostat probe inside the cage/tub for UTH's.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...9edbeefb34.jpg

Anyone using this style tote for their small reptiles

http://m.sterilite.com/mobile.html?i...=305&section=9

Quote:

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Originally Posted by giltyler

Anyone using this style tote for their small reptiles

http://m.sterilite.com/mobile.html?i...=305&section=9

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Look for a Sterilite Latch box instead as the gasket boxes are airtight.
http://m.sterilite.com/mobile.html?refresh=020255

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Look for a Sterilite Latch box instead as the gasket boxes are airtight.
http://m.sterilite.com/mobile.html?refresh=020255

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Just wondering is there a problem with the gasket boxes being air tight? If there are plenty of holes made for ventilation is there an issue?

I currently have one set up as a QT tub. No snake in it yet but I've been testing temps and humidity for months with no noticable issues spotted, so I'm curious is there anything I'm not considering?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MissterDog

Just wondering is there a problem with the gasket boxes being air tight? If there are plenty of holes made for ventilation is there an issue?

I currently have one set up as a QT tub. No snake in it yet but I've been testing temps and humidity for months with no noticable issues spotted, so I'm curious is there anything I'm not considering?

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Curious about this too, because honestly the gasket boxes seem more secure than a regular tote box. You don't have to modify them for the snake not to escape.

I would put enough holes to allow air flow for sure and was thinking this would allow more control without having to account for leakage at the rim and the latch system is better.
i am going to use a small table with some ceramic tiles on top to insulate the table a bit
ultratherm heater pad and thermostat
2 hides
water bowl
maybe a nice limestone rock with a flat top on the warm side
substrate of some type