Setup planning before Repticon

So quickly, after much research I've decided to allow my daughter to get BP for her first pet. My personal background is in aquariums and vivariums so this is new to me.

My budget is around 200 -250 for setup and BP. So I realize that either I'm going cheap on the setup and getting a better morph or going luxury on the setup and getting a normal.

So how would you guys go about this? What can I skimp on and what should I spend more on?

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If it were me, I'd get a better morph and go for a simple setup of (and these are approximate prices based on what I purchased them for):
$30 tub (the size will depend on the size and gender of your snake and how much space you want it to have)
$5 heavyweight water bowl
$20-30 2 reptile hides (or you could do what I did and get 2 plastic tubs from the dollar store and diy them into hides)
$5 eco earth brick (what I use, but a lot of people use paper towels, butcher paper, unprinted newspaper etc)
$10 AcuRite thermometer/hygrometer with probe
$20 tempature gun
$20-30 under tank heater
$20-600 thermostat

If you have money to spare, spending it on a reliable well-functioning thermostat is the smartest thing to do. I have a century thermostat which was around $20, but it isn't very reliable compared to a herpstat as it's an on/off thermostat and takes a lot of adjusting and monitoring and can be off by a few degrees.

This tub setup works for my adult male (it might change a little if you're getting a baby). You should have enough to spend on a fair morph if you go for something like this. The only thing is you can't even see the morph in a tub very well compared to a tank, but ball pythons aren't very good display animals anyway as they are always hiding. Just be aware of that.

Some people prefer to use a tub only while they save up for a custom enclosure like from Animal Plastics. That's an option as well. They have the display and visibility of a tank while holding the humidity and tempature needed for a ball python.

This community is very helpful and has a lot to offer, so don't be afraid to ask questions! Good luck!

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Originally Posted by walzon1

So how would you guys go about this?

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I don't know how old your daughter is: I don't recommend ball pythons for children because the snakes tolerate handling, they do not enjoy it: Digestion and shedding times must be respected. If the snake is really for you: and 'for your daughter' is what you tell your partner--that is a different story ;)

For $200-250 I'm sure you could create a setup that will work for that budget with a Normal ball python in it. As a veteran reptile keeper I wouldn't even bother with a setup that didn't have a pulse/dimming proportional thermostat controlling the heat sources. You might be able to find used proportional thermostats (Herpstats/Vivarium Electronics) on Craigslist (depending upon your area)...they are the one thing I wouldn't skimp on...:)

Note: Don't forget that buying frozen food in bulk is probably your most economical option...there is a cost associated with that as well...

Your equipment should be your top priority.
They ALL have the same needs, regardless of paint job. Would you sacrifice your home for a great haircut and an outfit?
Avoid "starter kits" or "complete setups". The majority of the stuff they include is junk and you'll be buying everything twice.

That's a VERY tight budget if you want to do things right.

Another thing to consider: snakes live 25+ years in capacity. So what's the plan long term? Does your daughter have college plans? Most dorms won't allow pets, let alone snakes. So are you willing to care for the animal in that scenario? Also, many apartments don't allow snakes, most young kids need roommates and finding an apartment and roommate that tolerate snakes may prove very challenging.

We are very much aware of care and needs of animals and have been researching close to a year. I wanted to ask the forum cause I read conflicting information in regards to care.

I see people keeping healthy BPs using cheap Amazon equipment as well as the professional stuff. If the health of the animal is utmost importance then which is okay and at what point will the health of the animal suffer.

For example thermostat on/off vs proportional , tank vs bin etc., Not trying to be cheap just trying to find a middle ground.

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https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ips-and-Tricks

My main recommendation don't be one of those people getting an adult setup for an hatchling or Juvy thinking you are saving money, because saving money will be one thing the troubles you will run into will be another.

Cheap Yet Safe Enclosure:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hefty-25-Ga...Lid/1000505547 $18

Dollar Store Melamine Bowls (2) $2

UTH, Thermostat, & Thermometer (don't skimp on these):
http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultrath...ter-uth-11-x11 $20
http://www.reptilebasics.com/ve-hobbystat $70
http://www.reptilebasics.com/TG-1 $20

Hides: Get some of the Ramen meals that are around a buck apiece and come with the plastic containers. Eat the food (cheap lunch), run the container through the dishwasher, cut off a corner of the container to make an access hole, and you have a hide for a baby snake for $1.

Substate: newspaper

Even with tax and shipping you're all in for under $150 and that setup will last your snake for life; you'll just need to upsize the hides as your snake grows. Clutter up the tub with excess hides or newspaper so the baby has hiding places until it grows up.

Just chiming in on the thermostats! I agree that the thermostat is where I would invest a bit more if you have any spare room in your budget. I started out with an on/off thermostat because that was what was readily available at my local reptile store when I was gathering up supplies for the setup for my first snake. However, I found that I was not a fan of it - the temperature range and fluctuation was just too wide, such that even when I had it set to a threshold of 86 F with the probe flush against the heat mat, I'd be getting measurements above 95 F on the inside surface of the tub before it would auto shut off, then it would bottom out almost to the same temp as the cool side (~80 F) before turning on again.

From there, I made the direct leap to the expensive but reliable quality Herpstat 2, since I knew I was going to be in it for the long run with more than one snake, but I believe there are a number of proportional thermostats available that are more budget-friendly.
- There's the Herpstat EZ1 priced at around $80 - https://www.spyderrobotics.com/index...products_id=75 - compared to well over $100 for any of the other Herpstat line products.
- I also remember seeing someone inquiring about the 600W thermostat from Exo Terra, which was their first offering that is a proportional thermostat (their 100W and 300W versions are both on/off). I usually see these for sale around $50-$60, which is honestly a pretty accessible price point for a beginner setup. https://www.amazon.com/Hagen-Terra-R...92899510&psc=1

I highly don't recommend ball pythons as a first snake to own. Their feeding strikes can be very stressful for you and your daughter. And mistakes can happen especially since you will new to husbandry requirements like maintaining humidity, gradient temps, how to help your snake feel secure, etc. Don't rule out other much easy to care and feed snakes like corns, baird's rat snakes, trans pecos and rosy boas.

With that said, I would start with tubs. Costs aside, I would focus on making sure your bp eats, consistently, first and foremost.

I 2nd the above comment. I have both a rat snake and a ball python. Rat snakes and corn snakes are very similar and this is what I would recommend as a first snake, or a kingsnake. Very easy to care for and their temperature and humidity parameters are much less demanding. They are very easy feeders and very docile especially if you raise them from a hatchling.

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I have to disagree with BPs not being a good first snake.

If you're PREPARED and have put in the due diligence to research them, they are easy. If you've done your homework you'll have your setup ready before the animal arrives, your temps and humidity will be dialed in, you'll have proper hides and the security they thrive on, you'll understand that BPs take food breaks and live long healthy lives despite the food strikes. They are hardy animals who are opportunistic eaters in the wild, eating much less than in captivity.

They are an extremely docile species, stayfairly small, are slow moving and easy to handle.

I've had Kings (I absolutely love Kings), corns, hognose, Borneo Short Tail, and BPs. BPs are no harder to keep than Kings or corns...if you're PREPARED.

I agree, if ur an adult about it and u have already been here to seek advice then ur on a great path to easily handle a pet rock snake! Lol

Ok, ordered Exo Terra 600w thermostat they had it for $42 at Ken's fish, along with Exo Terra heat mat and temp/ hygro probe. I know that Hagen makes solid products for the aquarium community don't see why it would be any different for reptiles. I know they are not the best, but for $62 shipped I think it's a good start.

So that leaves
1. Temp gun
2. hides
3. Water bowl
4. Storage bin
Anything else I'm missing?

The bin I am finding is hard to source locally haven't tried lowes or home Depot yet but Target and Walmart have been a bust, at least for the weather tight ones with latches.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by walzon1

Ok, ordered Exo Terra 600w thermostat they had it for $42 at Ken's fish, along with Exo Terra heat mat and temp/ hygro probe. I know that Hagen makes solid products for the aquarium community don't see why it would be any different for reptiles. I know they are not the best, but for $62 shipped I think it's a good start.

So that leaves
1. Temp gun
2. hides
3. Water bowl
4. Storage bin
Anything else I'm missing?

The bin I am finding is hard to source locally haven't tried lowes or home Depot yet but Target and Walmart have been a bust, at least for the weather tight ones with latches.

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Do u have a container store near you?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by walzon1

Ok, ordered Exo Terra 600w thermostat they had it for $42 at Ken's fish, along with Exo Terra heat mat and temp/ hygro probe. I know that Hagen makes solid products for the aquarium community don't see why it would be any different for reptiles. I know they are not the best, but for $62 shipped I think it's a good start.

So that leaves
1. Temp gun
2. hides
3. Water bowl
4. Storage bin
Anything else I'm missing?

The bin I am finding is hard to source locally haven't tried lowes or home Depot yet but Target and Walmart have been a bust, at least for the weather tight ones with latches.

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Nice work so far! I'm glad you were able to find a proportional thermostat at a good price. I think the heat mats all function fairly comparably (I have the Zoo Med ones). For the thermometer/hygrometer, it sounds like you have the Exo Terra equivalent of the digital probes that I started out with too (again, I had the Zoo Med version). Mine worked pretty decently, but my sibling's wouldn't detect the humidity accurately, so if you find yourself running into any issues there, I highly recommend the little Acurite monitors, which you can just plop into a corner of your container and which are nice and cheap. The versions I see commonly used by members of this forum, including myself, are these two:
- https://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-00325...gateway&sr=8-5
- https://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-Humid...gateway&sr=8-9

For infrared temp gun, I use this one from Etekcity, but I think there are various brands available that all function fine and are within the $10-$20 price range: https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lase...-1-spons&psc=1

For the hides and water bowl, you can pick out more cutely decorative ones if you want, but if it's just based on what will make your snake happy, you won't need to spend much here at all, haha. Like others have previously suggested, you can make your own hides by turning little plastic containers upside down and cutting a little entry doorway, just make sure the edges are smooth and won't cut your snake's skin! For water bowl, you'll just want something with a wide base and a bit of weight to it, so that your snake can't easily overturn it and spill water everywhere.

Lastly, for the plastic tub itself, with latch lid - I actually got my Sterilite tubs from Target! Whether they have it readily in stock is probably dependent on store location, but if you give them the product number from the Target website, they should be able to get it ordered from the warehouse for you for in-store pickup.
- This is the 15qt, which is a nice size for a hatchling ball python: https://www.target.com/p/sterilite-1...l/-/A-13794491
- This is the 32qt, which should be able to accommodate up to adult male size, and can still be doable for a hatchling to grow into if you clutter it up with decorations so it still feels snug and safe with lots of hiding spots: https://www.target.com/p/sterilite-1...l/-/A-13794492
Some keepers like tubs with similar dimensions but a bit more height (to have room for something like a driftwood branch to climb), and that's fine too. I like these particular tubs just because the bottom doesn't have any weirdly-shaped recessing, so it's easy to stick the heat mat on.

My local Lowes has a good selection of tubs. I researched a bit before deciding to build my own enclosures. I was going to use the Hefty totes. I did end up picking up 2 to use to bring them home once I get them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by walzon1

The bin I am finding is hard to source locally haven't tried lowes or home Depot yet but Target and Walmart have been a bust, at least for the weather tight ones with latches.

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You don't need the "weather tight" bin - those have a gasket that seals around the top. A regular bin with the flip-up latches to hold the lid on securely so your snake can't escape is fine. I have several of the model I linked because it also has the latches on the long side of the lids, which helps ensure the snake can't push its way out.

I also agree that with adequate research and preparation, ball pythons make a great first snake. And as much as we may want to generalize about a species, there are still variances in behavior due to individual temperaments. Just as an example - I've never had an issue with my BP's being finicky eaters. Quite the opposite, they all love to eat. My corn snake, on the other hand, is super fussy. :shrug:

So I say go for what you want as long as you are willing to do the research, prepare beforehand, and learn as you go, which it sounds like you are. :)

If you have a tight budget, get a normal with a nice thermostat and setup.

Normals can be really cool looking, and they are all the same as pets. Morphs are really for people with a higher budget and usually collectors that want multiple snakes.


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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

Normals can be really cool looking, and they are all the same as pets.

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Definitely agreed that normals can look awesome! I still have some regrets about not bringing home a little normal male who was being sold at my local reptile shop a few months back. He had great contrast in his pattern and some nice orange blushing on his sides, and his asking price was $35. There are also a few single-gene morphs, like Pastel and Enchi, that spice up the pattern/color a little while still staying in the <$50 price range.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...72147e9863.jpg

I just wanted to mention that you can get cheap hides (they’re basic black plastic) from Reptile Basics. I have the medium size and they are honestly a little big for my 6 mo ball pythons. They like them very snug. Also will you be using substrate in your tub? I have one snake in a tub and one in a glass tank. I had to modify the tub to put a CHE on the top to keep the ambient temperature high enough. I was using 2 heat mats on the bottom of the tub set to different temperatures, but even when just using paper towels at the beginning it wasn’t getting the temperature where I wanted it. If you use substrate, the heat mat won’t penetrate it. I still have a mat on the hot side, but I use only a thin layer of substrate there. Pic is of my tub.


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