The costs, man! The costs!

Setting up my first BP enclosure and I've already dropped about $200 and I'll probably have to spend at least $100 more and THEN I have to get the snake! XD
Someone told me this was an affordable pet lol.
That being said: What's the most you all have ever spent on setting up your enclosures?
What's the most expensive thing you've bought?
Did you ever buy something that wasn't worth it?
Is there anything you wish you had the money for but it's just too rich for your blood?

Let me hear your answers! :D


(I figured this might be off-topic enough to come here and not in General BP. Let me know if it needs to move!)

I got a $70 temp controller from petco and it was crap! But other than that nothing I wish I hadn’t bought. But I did do a lot of research before diving in.

Sometimes I feel like I'm doing TOO much research! But then that's how we avoid mishaps, right?
My own regretful purchase, thankfully, only includes a frankly useless over-sized hide from Petsmart back before I did more research. And they refused to take it back! Thankfully it was a lot less than $70. I've heard ZooMed is also...iffy. Once I get everything put together we'll see how well the ZooMed stuff I have works.

Honestly it depends on how you'd like for your enclosure to look. I bought 3 ball pythons and each has a totally different setup and the price tag showcases how much crap I cut out. Don't get me wrong, you can make your enclosure look natural and amazing.. I for example want a bioactive vivarium.. but I am too busy for that right now.

• First ball python (~$250):
  
  • ZooMed 20 gal starter kit ($180 CAD)
    
    • iterally everything in the starter kit other than the tank was garbage.
    
    
  • Corner water bowl med ($14 CAD)
  • cheap thermostat ($50 CAD)
  • Plastic plants ($2 CAD)

• Second Ball python (~$175)
  
  • Used 60-70 gal PVC cage I got from the reptile manager at Big Al's. ($100 CAD)
  • hide from dollar store ($2)
  • another cheap thermostat from amazon ($45)
  • big ass corner water bowl ($27)

• Third Ball python (~45)
  
  • ​55 Gal flat plastic tup from Ikea with lid ($23)
  • Dog water bowl from dollar store ($2)
  • Paper towel from the kitchen as bedding
  • $17 hide from reptilesrus.ca

tl;dr

It's all about how "pretty" you would like for your enclosure to look like and how much of a hustler you are when it comes to finding good deals. For example, instead of buying aquarium decorations from pet-smart or pet sections at other stores, go got them from the dollar store. Instead of buying those rolls containing images of trees to be used as a backdrop for your enclosure, make your younger siblings draw on a white board and use that instead..

Your name sounds delicious....ShawarmaPoutine. My god the culinary feat that would be.
Also it's crazy to see the cost differences! It's like children! XD
I'm pretty sure I could make something nice but I'm going to wait until I get the BP and it's a bit older. Maybe a few years so that way I have time to save up for something really nice. Currently going with the utilitarian route while adding in a few of the more expensive options like the VE-100 t-stat. I figure it's something I'm going to be using for a long time, might as well put a bit extra in, right? I bought a nice heavy ceramic water bowl from Walmart and two pairs of hides of different sizes from Reptile Basics so I can switch out smaller ones for bigger ones as my BP grows.
Now I might have to take a swing by the dollar store and check out the decorations I might be able to get. Some brown plain paper towels for substrate and a few fake plants it might look presentable! I could even buy some black hand towels and attach them to the lid. Maybe make them able to be pinned up so I can create a variable light for the enclosure...these are some good ideas! Never thought about going to the dollar store. Thanks for the info!

Lol I can relate to this... I didn't even go for a fancy tank setup or anything but the costs still ended up piling on (not all of it from the enclosure though, I also just needed general supplies), and I feel like I'm still continuously upgrading stuff. The most expensive items I bought were the two thermostats I use.

My breakdown:
30 gallon Sterilite tub = $25
ZooMed Reptitherm UTH = $30
Jumpstart Thermostat = $50
Cypress Mulch bedding = $16
Two cave hides = $24
Digital thermometer/hygrometer = $10
Three spray bottles (for water, vinegar, and F10) = $9
F10 = $30
Extra (smaller) sterilite tub = $15
Fake plants = $6
Feeding tongs = $10

Later ended up adding a ceramic heat emitter + thermostat because I didn't want to keep my bedroom temperature at 77F anymore, so:
Ceramic heat emitter = $20
Inkbird Thermostat = $45
Wire mesh = $15

Total spent on enclosure: $241
Grand total = $305

And I'm probably eventually going to upgrade him to one of those wood + glass vivariums one day so that'll cost even more. It never ends!

On the bright side, so far I don't think anything I've bought is regret-worthy. I'd love to have one of those beautiful pieces of sculpted wood for my BP to climb and decorate the enclosure but they cost way too much lol, I'll stick to looking around my backyard for that.

If you're ever in Toronto, Canada.. Holla at me and I'll take you to the best Shawarma Poutine place.

Getting snakes seems to be like having kids. You are overprotective AF for the first one and buy the best you can afford. Then by the time the third one orlls around you are buying the cheapest stuff because you realized the cheap stuff will do the job just fine and that no one cares if you have high end stuff or not.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yuan-Ti

Setting up my first BP enclosure and I've already dropped about $200 and I'll probably have to spend at least $100 more and THEN I have to get the snake! XD
Someone told me this was an affordable pet lol.
That being said: What's the most you all have ever spent on setting up your enclosures?
What's the most expensive thing you've bought?
Did you ever buy something that wasn't worth it?
Is there anything you wish you had the money for but it's just too rich for your blood?

Let me hear your answers! :D


(I figured this might be off-topic enough to come here and not in General BP. Let me know if it needs to move!)

---

I have 5 different snakes including a bp. So my opinion is based on all 5 since it is applicable to a bp plus minor enclosure changes:

Most expensive items for enclosure: Herpstat 2. I bought 3 of these. Second most expensive is the T10 Animal Plastics for my kingsnake.

Most expensive thing other than the enclosure related: fake plants from a pet store. Wished I had known to use a local dollar store or craft store for much cheaper and better fake plants.

Most useless item: drift wood. This mainly applies to my lizards. My Children Python uses his but none of my other snakes and lizards care for them. Difficult to clean when pooped on. Secondly, pain in the butt to make the wood sit without falling to the side.

I would add that I regret at times that I chose a ball python as my first snake or even getting one. I think, like many, I fell for the hype. Looking back, I prefer harder to find but easy to feed and care snakes. Oh well. Regardless, Banana is my commitment just like all the others so he is here to stay. Maybe I will change my mind after going to a trade show again...

I can't justify spending that much $$ on looks alone. I would rather save that $$ for vet bills and improving my current animals' enclosures. And I like variety in my reptile collection, hence 5 different snakes, all of which are affordable and medium to easy care and good to look at as well. So far I'm satisfied with my choices.

Won't tell how much I have spent so far because the number are high for most average keeper, now what you need to tell yourself is that if you have one snale and spend $200 on caging and $100 on a reliable thermostat you are looking at a very cheap investment considering your pet will live 30 years or more that's only $10 a year.

And feeding is not gonna cost you all that much compare to any other pet you could have, same with vet care, if I compare a snake cost versus one of my dog cost it's nothing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Deborah

Won't tell how much I have spent so far because the number are high for most average keeper, now what you need to tell yourself is that if you have one snale and spend $200 on caging and $100 on a reliable thermostat you are looking at a very cheap investment considering your pet will live 30 years or more that's only $10 a year.

And feeding is not gonna cost you all that much compare to any other pet you could have. same with vet care, if I compare a snake cost versus on of my dog cost it's nothing.

---

I know, I tell this to my daughters all the time. They want a dog but I’m very ill, on a budget. Four ball pythons are so much cheaper then just one medium sized dog. Tons cheaper, like you mentioned the yearly vet checks alone. And I don’t got to walk them when I’m sick and tired, lol.

What's the most you all have ever spent on setting up your enclosures?

About $300 on my Exo Terra and everything in it. Took a bit of modificaiton to get the husbandry right, but I wanted a nice display cage.

What's the most expensive thing you've bought?

Besides snakes? I've definitely spent more on snakes than items. The most expensive item was my Herstat 2 Redline for $184.50 (bought it on sale). Most expensive snake was $305 (not including shipping or taxes for either, that would bring it up to $195 and $381, respectively).

Did you ever buy something that wasn't worth it?

Glass tanks and half log hides. Junk. Not even worth the tiny price tag.

I've spent up to $600 for a single cage with no accessories.....and I bought 3 of said cages. Then i got 8 other cages that ran about half that each. Add in 2 Herpstat 6 as well as a few Herpstat 1-2 as well as storage tubs, chest freezer and indoor propane heaters and other stuff for power outages, I've spent way too much. Then figure in the cost of the animals which 3 of them have broken the mid 4 digits price, I have really spent too much lol. And i still want a couple more which luckily will be low 4 digit prices haha.

$1200 on a 96”x32”x24” pvc enclosure with 190watt RHP and $800 on the snake that will eventually live in it several years down the road. So $2k for the acquisition and housing of one animal not including thermostats, substrate, cage decor, feeders, etc...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You can NEVER go wrong with a AP pvc enclosure. I have 4’ for my Balls and Burms go into 8’.
AP 8’- with LED/Locks & Shipping - $950
Herpstat 2 -$195
2 Pro Panels in 8’- $400
Thermometers -$30
Substrate Butcher Paper-$60 for 1000’ last years.
Total 8’ aprox $1500-$1600.
Total 4’ aprox $ $1000.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ohhh far too much.

First Ball Python($125) Bumblebee Morph

• Glass 20gal long enclosure, including UTH, heat lamp, water bowl, thermometer/hydrometer, 1 half-log hide and some aspen substrate(was a kit) $140
• Crappy on-off Thermostat, $30
• 1 extra hide(cause I knew she needed 2) $15( I was dumb and shopped at petco)
• Plants, decor. another $40(again, big-box pet store prices)
• Snake Hook, like $10
• Temp-gun, little cheap thing(need to get a proper one) like $10

Total: About $380 for my first snake setup.

Then I learned more about a good substrate, and ended up spending about $10 more on EcoEarth

Second Snake, Striped Carpet Python($125)

• Glass 12x12x18 front-opening enclosure kit(included heat lamp, substrate) $90
• UTH($25)
• RBI Hides instead of big box petstore hides($10)
• Leftover decor from Rei's enclosure(Free)
• Used current thermostat for heat sources(Free)

Total costs for second snake: $250

Knew a lot more about the basics a snake needs then and bought a lot less stupid crap.

Third Snake, BEL Ball Python($350)

• Tub(don't want no more glass enclosures) $12
• UTH's($40)
• Reused Hides and decor(free)
• Substrate(switched all the snakes to reptile prime so $21)
• Thermostat(free)

Total: $424
Now that is just setting them up in the past. Lately I've been moving ahead with the big spending for nice enclosures

In the past 3 months I have purchased:
(The BEL Baby, lol)
AP T10 with selected modifications for Rei, $380 + an RHP and new hides. So total like : $470
AP T12 with selected modifications for Mosaic, $529 + RHP and she will be reusing her hides: So $619
Herpstat4: $340
Six new Acu-rite Thermometer/Hydrometers(2 for each enclosure): $55

Total money spend on snakes in the last year? Around $2500. Its probably few hundred more, if you calculate food and electricity costs as well as the money I've spent on supplies to make decor for the incoming AP cages. lol
Mom thinks I'm crazy, but this is my hobby.

Long time lurker, figured this was an interesting post to dip my toe in the water...

I don't know what I have invested in the enclosures for my BP's. I only have 1.1 normals, and it appears as though replacement costs for both their enclosures, thermostat/heating, and some furnishings would be about $1850. So I guess I keep my $45 snakes in $925 habitats... which seems about right to me. They are long-term members of the family.

I have other critters too (mostly tortoises) and I really don't want to do the math and see how much it would cost in the event I needed to purchase replacement enclosures for all of them!

I’m in the middle of getting a $700 enclosure for my $250 boa. That doesn’t include the $170 heat panel and over $100 in enclosure supplies.... of course I’m not a breeder it’s just going to be a pet so I don’t mind putting in the extra work.

$2k for housing (rack system) and $2k for 3-4 snakes. All budgeted.

Just spent $300 ea to build 2 enclosures for snakes I don't have yet.

My most expensive purchase was for my stack of Monster Cages...

2 - 8’L x 30”D x 12”H
1 - 8’L x 30”D x 18”H
2 - 8’L x 30”D x 12”H divided into 3 units each

$3,025 for all 5 cages, $1,052 for the rhp’s for each cage, and $675 for 9 Johnson Controls thermostats. Grand total of $4,752 not including shipping for everything. The total value of the snakes housed in thise cages....$680 for all 9.

I’ve added several bps this year and my recent cage purchases are from Reptile Basics $225 each (36”x24”x12”), rhp $90 each, and Johnson Controls thermostat $77 each ($392 per cage) times 4 cages. If all goes well and I get enough on my tax return, I’ll be replacing all but the largest Monster Cage with Reptile Basics cages. I will reuse the rhp’s and thermostats for the new cages, and hopefully recoup some of the cost by selling the Monster Cages.

The 8’L x 30”D x 12”H cages are difficult for me to reach the backs to clean. I’m currently using a barbeque scraper to reach, but it is not as effective as I’d like. My main motivation to upgrade is to have cages that are easier to clean. Part of that is planning for the future. I expect to remain in good health and am trying to make positive changes towards that goal, but we get no guarantees. I can’t imagine not having my snakes, so I want to be sure that I’m set up for their comfort as well as ease of use for me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Deborah

Won't tell how much I have spent so far because the number are high for most average keeper, now what you need to tell yourself is that if you have one snale and spend $200 on caging and $100 on a reliable thermostat you are looking at a very cheap investment considering your pet will live 30 years or more that's only $10 a year.

And feeding is not gonna cost you all that much compare to any other pet you could have, same with vet care, if I compare a snake cost versus one of my dog cost it's nothing.

---

This is the real truth of the matter right here. My Great Dane eats more in one year than my snake enclosure cost me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dianne

My most expensive purchase was for my stack of Monster Cages...

2 - 8’L x 30”D x 12”H
1 - 8’L x 30”D x 18”H
2 - 8’L x 30”D x 12”H divided into 3 units each

$3,025 for all 5 cages, $1,052 for the rhp’s for each cage, and $675 for 9 Johnson Controls thermostats. Grand total of $4,752 not including shipping for everything. The total value of the snakes housed in thise cages....$680 for all 9.

I’ve added several bps this year and my recent cage purchases are from Reptile Basics $225 each (36”x24”x12”), rhp $90 each, and Johnson Controls thermostat $77 each ($392 per cage) times 4 cages. If all goes well and I get enough on my tax return, I’ll be replacing all but the largest Monster Cage with Reptile Basics cages. I will reuse the rhp’s and thermostats for the new cages, and hopefully recoup some of the cost by selling the Monster Cages.

The 8’L x 30”D x 12”H cages are difficult for me to reach the backs to clean. I’m currently using a barbeque scraper to reach, but it is not as effective as I’d like. My main motivation to upgrade is to have cages that are easier to clean. Part of that is planning for the future. I expect to remain in good health and am trying to make positive changes towards that goal, but we get no guarantees. I can’t imagine not having my snakes, so I want to be sure that I’m set up for their comfort as well as ease of use for me.

---

I bought my first boa for my 50th birthday. About the same time, the BP showed up at my doorstep as a hatchling, needing a home (any home, at that point), ASAP. I hope I'll be caring for these same creatures into my eighties - I wonder about physical abilities too. At least snakes are far easier than the birds; OMG, the mess they like to make! I've been setting up my first serious tub project for a long term home this week. It may be a tub, but it is going to be Fort Knox secure, and it will still be beautiful, while remaining easy-care. Love the glass vivs and Exo-terra's, but when it is just me to move them (I MUCH prefer to work alone), they are so cumbersome and heavy.

I've found that costs DO go down with subsequent additions. I know exactly what I need, how to properly re-purpose some things, and now there is a stash of left over materials for new animals, that I didn't have on hand for the first snake.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by distaff

I bought my first boa for my 50th birthday. About the same time, the BP showed up at my doorstep as a hatchling, needing a home (any home, at that point), ASAP. I hope I'll be caring for these same creatures into my eighties - I wonder about physical abilities too. At least snakes are far easier than the birds; OMG, the mess they like to make! I've been setting up my first serious tub project for a long term home this week. It may be a tub, but it is going to be Fort Knox secure, and it will still be beautiful, while remaining easy-care. Love the glass vivs and Exo-terra's, but when it is just me to move them (I MUCH prefer to work alone), they are so cumbersome and heavy.

I've found that costs DO go down with subsequent additions. I know exactly what I need, how to properly re-purpose some things, and now there is a stash of left over materials for new animals, that I didn't have on hand for the first snake.

---

I’ve only owned one bird, ended up with the ex-boyfriend’s bird when he enlisted. I can’t imagine having multiples...the mess and especially the noise were not my thing. I’m not a neat freak by any stretch of the imagination, but seeds and poo everywhere were not to my liking. Not to mention that they do require daily attention or a partner. My snakes aren’t terribly concerned if I don’t take them out as long as they have fresh water, clean cages, and the rat god comes regularly. That said, I usually take them out once a week, even if just for a few minutes.

I have my quarantines in secure tubs. Links below. No body is getting out of these. I used a wood burning tool to add the ventilation holes, and the tubs are sitting on shelves with Ultratherm heat mats on a thermostat. If I can’t afford to redo my cages like I plan, these setups will work long term for the bps though I will still need an larger enclosure for my carpet.

Ball pythons:
https://www.target.com/p/sterilite-3...s/-/A-51872701


Carpet python:
https://www.target.com/p/ziploc-60qt...60#lnk=sametab

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dianne

I’ve only owned one bird, ended up with the ex-boyfriend’s bird when he enlisted. I can’t imagine having multiples...the mess and especially the noise were not my thing. I’m not a neat freak by any stretch of the imagination, but seeds and poo everywhere were not to my liking. Not to mention that they do require daily attention or a partner. My snakes aren’t terribly concerned if I don’t take them out as long as they have fresh water, clean cages, and the rat god comes regularly. That said, I usually take them out once a week, even if just for a few minutes.

I have my quarantines in secure tubs. Links below. No body is getting out of these. I used a wood burning tool to add the ventilation holes, and the tubs are sitting on shelves with Ultratherm heat mats on a thermostat. If I can’t afford to redo my cages like I plan, these setups will work long term for the bps though I will still need an larger enclosure for my carpet.

Ball pythons:
https://www.target.com/p/sterilite-3...s/-/A-51872701


Carpet python:
https://www.target.com/p/ziploc-60qt...60#lnk=sametab

---

The larger species of parrots would definitely get on my nerves. Budgie chatter, canary song, and dove coos are all good in my world, but a 'too or mackaw screaming/screeching....I wouldn't be able to handle that. My goats are pushy and demanding enough, and I don't much care for people, so a parrot that talked - I have zero interest in THAT!

I re-furbished a Sterilite 104 (?) quart tub for the new snake (P. emori, great plains ratsnake, shipping this week?), but the guy who sold him to me said the snake is 4 1/2 to 5 feet long. I added a generous shelf half way up for basking, but I'm not sure that will be sufficient floor space for this animal. The Colubrids do like to roam. Worst case scenario, I'll clear out smaller kingsnake's 40L gallon viv, and temporarily house the Emori in the 40L.

This hobby for me is about long term projects, and basically budgeting a little bit for it most months. My next projects will be taller enclosures made of pond epoxy sealed rigid foam board for some of these more arboreal snakes. The Pit is outgrowing her 40L, and she climbs on whatever I give her. Rigid foam in the amounts I want gets (plus epoxy paint) expensive, and there are some set-backs - the hot wire cutter I got for shaping foam won't maintain temperature - I almost never return stuff, but Amazon is going to have to take that one back.

The fun is problem solving. I spent almost $1,000 on my first bio-active planted tank, for a $100 snake. Years later, it looks better than ever, with so much lush planting grown in. I made two more smaller planted tanks with the extra materials, and spent almost nothing, except for one new glass tank, and another $5 thrift store 30T-something gallon fish tank, and a sourced a fitted cover. I like real plants in tanks, but bio-active has some disadvantages...you can loose track of your snake. The beautiful king isn't tame at all; I'd literally have to dig him out, so I NEVER interact with him. I wanted the new tub to have lots of living photos (spell?), but I didn't want the drainage layer, the dirt, the heating challenges, etc., so maybe run the plant stems out of a sealed container of hydroponic solution (Kratky style - no pumps)...I've made some cuttings, fitted the net pots to plastic jars...suspend the jars from 2" holes drilled into the rigid foam shelf (ugly Exo-Terra background re-purpose) a little silicone, and so far, it looks workable...we'll see. Again, all from stuff I already have. I thought a hydroponic hybrid viv might be a world's first, but the folks on Dendroboard had some past discussions about it. Those frog people always end up with the best vivs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by distaff

The larger species of parrots would definitely get on my nerves. Budgie chatter, canary song, and dove coos are all good in my world, but a 'too or mackaw screaming/screeching....I wouldn't be able to handle that. My goats are pushy and demanding enough, and I don't much care for people, so a parrot that talked - I have zero interest in THAT!

I re-furbished a Sterilite 104 (?) quart tub for the new snake (P. emori, great plains ratsnake, shipping this week?), but the guy who sold him to me said the snake is 4 1/2 to 5 feet long. I added a generous shelf half way up for basking, but I'm not sure that will be sufficient floor space for this animal. The Colubrids do like to roam. Worst case scenario, I'll clear out smaller kingsnake's 40L gallon viv, and temporarily house the Emori in the 40L.

This hobby for me is about long term projects, and basically budgeting a little bit for it most months. My next projects will be taller enclosures made of pond epoxy sealed rigid foam board for some of these more arboreal snakes. The Pit is outgrowing her 40L, and she climbs on whatever I give her. Rigid foam in the amounts I want gets (plus epoxy paint) expensive, and there are some set-backs - the hot wire cutter I got for these projects won't maintain temperature - I almost never return stuff, but Amazon is going to have to take that one back.

The fun is problem solving. I spent almost $1,000 on my first bio-active planted tank, for a $100 snake. Years later, it looks better than ever, with so much lush planting grown in. I made two more smaller planted tanks with the extra materials, and spent almost nothing, except for one new glass tank, and another $5 thrift store 30T-something gallon fish tank, and a sourced a fitted cover. I like real plants in tanks, but bio-active has some disadvantages...you can loose track of your snake. The beautiful king isn't tame at all; I'd literally have to dig him out, so I NEVER interact with him. I wanted the new tub to have lots of living photos (spell?), but I didn't want the drainage layer, the dirt, the heating challenges, etc., so maybe run the plant stems out of a sealed container of hydroponic solution?...I've made some cuttings, net pots, plastic jars...suspend the jars from 2" holes drilled into the rigid foam shelf (ugly Exo-Terra background re-purpose) a little silicone, and so far, it looks workable...we'll see. I thought a hydroponic hybrid viv might be a world's first, but the folks on Dendroboard had some past discussions about it. Those frog people always end up with the best vivs.

---

Mine was a quaker parakeet- a small noisy parrot. He was sweet, most if the time, but definitely not quiet.

My jump to the plastic cages with rhp and thermostats was funded by a generous bonus from work that year combined with my tax return. I wanted something easier to heat and clean that would better maintain humidity. Prior to that I had a few Vision cages (most bought used), tanks, and homemade cages. The melamine cages I built worked well for several years, but there were issues with the sealant cracking allowing moisture into the particle board after a few years. Plus it was heavy. My current approach is a mix of money saved up and credit card purchases. But to revamp my current setup, uncle Sam is going to have to give me some of my money back. :rolleyes:

I like the sound of the planted enclosures, but have never tried them...most of my snakes seem to be small bulldozers. Your setups sound beautiful. I haven’t tried sculpting anything with the rigid foam, but that sounds like a great way to create light weight decor. I may have to try that out. I’ve seen a lot of the bioactive setups for frogs and small lizards...they do have the coolest displays. I’ll be interested in seeing how your hidden hydroponics work. That may be a great alternative and the plants might survive my snakes. :D

My cheapest set up for a corn snake was $150 for everything. Rainbow's cage though..... I think I am in the 5 to 600 range.

Cage was purchased for $100 off craigslist 8ft x 4ft X 4ft. Was bear bone cage. around 300 in paint and foam. $30 to 35 for 2 concrete mixing tubs for water on each level. 3 heat panels $40 each and thermostats $25 each to go with them. Random décor around $100... Just did the math. Around $750. Takes 3 bags of substrate at $15 per bag from chewey.com. If I had to build the cage from scratch would have been much more. I think this cage should do her for 2 to 3 more years before needing an upgrade. Then Aurora will be in there and her larger room size enclosure will be built.

I know I am going big here but they need quality of life IMO.

i think i am in the process of my most expensive right now for my skinks.

40gal breeder - half price at petco's dollar a gallon sale - our largest tank yet!
50 lbs of sand
misc decorations and hides
still need to buy a lid
lights

and i think that is about it. they'll eat our surplus of superworms and dubia thank goodness. my bearded dragon is the WORST eater ever so we have so many extra bugs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Luvyna

Lol I can relate to this... I didn't even go for a fancy tank setup or anything but the costs still ended up piling on (not all of it from the enclosure though, I also just needed general supplies), and I feel like I'm still continuously upgrading stuff. The most expensive items I bought were the two thermostats I use.

My breakdown:
30 gallon Sterilite tub = $25
ZooMed Reptitherm UTH = $30
Jumpstart Thermostat = $50
Cypress Mulch bedding = $16
Two cave hides = $24
Digital thermometer/hygrometer = $10
Three spray bottles (for water, vinegar, and F10) = $9
F10 = $30
Extra (smaller) sterilite tub = $15
Fake plants = $6
Feeding tongs = $10

Later ended up adding a ceramic heat emitter + thermostat because I didn't want to keep my bedroom temperature at 77F anymore, so:
Ceramic heat emitter = $20
Inkbird Thermostat = $45
Wire mesh = $15

Total spent on enclosure: $241
Grand total = $305

And I'm probably eventually going to upgrade him to one of those wood + glass vivariums one day so that'll cost even more. It never ends!

On the bright side, so far I don't think anything I've bought is regret-worthy. I'd love to have one of those beautiful pieces of sculpted wood for my BP to climb and decorate the enclosure but they cost way too much lol, I'll stick to looking around my backyard for that.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ShawarmaPoutine

Honestly it depends on how you'd like for your enclosure to look. I bought 3 ball pythons and each has a totally different setup and the price tag showcases how much crap I cut out. Don't get me wrong, you can make your enclosure look natural and amazing.. I for example want a bioactive vivarium.. but I am too busy for that right now.

• First ball python (~$250):
  
  • ZooMed 20 gal starter kit ($180 CAD)
    
    • iterally everything in the starter kit other than the tank was garbage.
    
    
  • Corner water bowl med ($14 CAD)
  • cheap thermostat ($50 CAD)
  • Plastic plants ($2 CAD)

• Second Ball python (~$175)
  
  • Used 60-70 gal PVC cage I got from the reptile manager at Big Al's. ($100 CAD)
  • hide from dollar store ($2)
  • another cheap thermostat from amazon ($45)
  • big ass corner water bowl ($27)

• Third Ball python (~45)
  
  • ​55 Gal flat plastic tup from Ikea with lid ($23)
  • Dog water bowl from dollar store ($2)
  • Paper towel from the kitchen as bedding
  • $17 hide from reptilesrus.ca

tl;dr

It's all about how "pretty" you would like for your enclosure to look like and how much of a hustler you are when it comes to finding good deals. For example, instead of buying aquarium decorations from pet-smart or pet sections at other stores, go got them from the dollar store. Instead of buying those rolls containing images of trees to be used as a backdrop for your enclosure, make your younger siblings draw on a white board and use that instead..

---

Do not get a cheap thermostat. I hate to break it to you guys, but get a reliable thermostat, cause when it fails which those cheap ones do, they will kill anything in that enclosure if you don't catch it. I've seen it happen many times, seen many threads about it and seen it on many posts. When they fail, they get blasted wide open. If you're not going to get a reliable thermostat, then don't spend money getting an animal because you're just going to kill it and then that's money you've wasted anyways that you should of used to get a good thermostat. You want a Good Vivarium Electronics, or a good herpstat which have fail safes built in so when they fail they don't go full blast and kill your animals.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5e301ccf15.jpg


https://www.morphmarket.com/stores/kaos-balls/