tank too big or no?

My snake right now is in a 10 gallon tank and is nearing the 20" mark. I want to move up in size so I can setup the tank a different way and already have a 30 gallon breeder tank that someone gave me. Will this be too big to move my baby BP into?

it can be done but it will be harder to do it properly. make sure there is plenty of nice tight hides, maybe some foliage and branches to "fill in" the empty space to make the BP feel secure. keeping proper temps and humidity will be somewhat of a challenge but can be done also. there's a sticky on aquarium caging in the husbandry section of ball pythons i believe.

the alternative is to go with tubs. way cheaper, easier to maintain proper heat and humidity, and IMO the way to go! :sweeet:

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

My snake right now is in a 10 gallon tank and is nearing the 20" mark. I want to move up in size so I can setup the tank a different way and already have a 30 gallon breeder tank that someone gave me. Will this be too big to move my baby BP into?

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If your BP is as long as the tank then that is still okay for a while. I wouldn't see how moving him into the larger tank would be a problem as long as he continues to behave normally and eat regularly when you move him in there. If he seems stressed out then put him back in the 10 gallon for a little while longer. I have some ball pythons that are between 26" - 38" in the 30 gallon breeder tanks and they are fine so we'll see how it goes for your BP ;) .

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Originally Posted by mr~python

it can be done but it will be harder to do it properly. make sure there is plenty of nice tight hides, maybe some foliage and branches to "fill in" the empty space to make the BP feel secure. keeping proper temps and humidity will be somewhat of a challenge but can be done also. there's a sticky on aquarium caging in the husbandry section of ball pythons i believe.

the alternative is to go with tubs. way cheaper, easier to maintain proper heat and humidity, and IMO the way to go! :sweeet:

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well if i wasnt using the tank/snake as kind of a decoration to go with the room, then i would do that.

you're using a snake as a decoration for the room? i think i would be more concerned with the snake's well being then how decorative my room looked.:confuzd:

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Originally Posted by mr~python

you're using a snake as a decoration for the room?

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yes, just as some use fish...

Wow, my mouth is zipped for this one....

:bolt: :no:

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

well if i wasnt using the tank/snake as kind of a decoration to go with the room, then i would do that.

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Wow! Let's hope for your sake that Brad doesn't wander in! ;)

Animals are NOT accesories nor are they decorations! An animal is a living thing that has a mind of it's own and it's own feelings.
WOW, just wow! :disbelief :ohmygod:

go ahead with the nice tank, i hate it when people bury a nice snake in a stink'n rubbermaid container,

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Originally Posted by Henry29

go ahead with the nice tank, i hate it when people bury a nice snake in a stink'n rubbermaid container,

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That statement right there shows that you have no clue about the proper husbandry of ball pythons.

I encourage you a call up any of the nationally known ball python breeders and tell them that you think that its horrible when people put ball pythons up in plastic housing.

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

yes, just as some use fish...

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no, fish are not the same as snakes. It just so happens that setting up the proper biotope for fish also happens to be aesthetically pleasing. Snakes' enclosures are, in fact, quite the opposite.

Come on, people. Let's not try to read the worst into what someone types in a thread. Many of us enjoy lovely display setups that show off our animals, but that doesn't mean we don't care about the animals. Unless someone actually types something like "I won't put any hides in there because then no one would see my cool snake" or something equally rediculous, then let's just assume he meant that he would like to have a nice display in his room like so many others of us have.

I'm just covering that bases, is all. When someone outwardly knocks one option of housing, using strong words such as "hate" and "stink'n", people viewing threads looking for advice may be discouraged from that option based on the opinion of someone who, odds are, has never even had any experience with the said method of housing. Perhaps he should have stated "I prefer an aesthetically pleasing setup that meets the needs of the animal" instead of saying "i hate it when people bury a nice snake in a stink'n rubbermaid container."

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

I'm just covering that bases, is all. When someone outwardly knocks one option of housing, using strong words such as "hate" and "stink'n", people viewing threads looking for advice may be discouraged from that option based on the opinion of someone who, odds are, has never even had any experience with the said method of housing. Perhaps he should have stated "I prefer an aesthetically pleasing setup that meets the needs of the animal" instead of saying "i hate it when people bury a nice snake in a stink'n rubbermaid container."

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I'm with ya on this one, Brad. I was typing at the same time you were, so my response wasn't directed at yours...just at folks who seemed to jump on tmlowe for saying he wanted a decorative setup, but maybe not saying it in a way they preferred.

Well, if you want a nice setup, you could get a clear tub that is high, (but still long enough for your snake) and decorate it. Pretty much the same thing, and easier.

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

well if i wasnt using the tank/snake as kind of a decoration to go with the room, then i would do that.

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I don't know what you are looking to get out of owning a Ball python but let me kindly warn you that pythons are not just decorations. They are beautiful living additions to our homes and lives. Plants, Pictures and little Hummel Statues are decorations. Please be willing to understand and give the animal what it needs or find a sutiable replacement for it I.E painting. The idea that you seem a touch more worried with your decor than the animal is slightly unsettleing. I would almost question your motives for owning the animal. People here are first and fore most snake LOVERS. Our animals welfare is in the fore front of every decision that we make involving them.

Off the soapbox now,

I understand the want for a nice looking tank. Heck all of mine are done to the hilt.You can have an tank or VIV that meets the needs of the animal and still provides the look you want we do it all the time here with our glass VIV's. They can be very pretty and elabrate or rubbermade tubs. Just depends on what you want. Please consider the needs of the animal when setting up their home and making it a part of yours. You can have it both ways. Just takes a little work.

I as well as others tend to read a psot and fear the worst. Please don't take this post as a flame or a thrash. We are here to help and hope your adventure in ball Pythons is a long and happy one. Just makeing sure you understand that they have special needs and that those needs might run counter to what looks best in a certain decor.

:D

OK.. lol. Here's my advice. I use tanks for my snakes; never had problems with it, since my house temps stay the same. But here's a little tip on transferring them to the new tank; I like to use all of the furnishings the snake had in the previous tank (same hides, water dish, substrate.) Doing this, and moving them quickly to the new tank while someone else holds the snake, I really think stress is kept to a minimum for the snake, who may not even realize he is in a new home. :)

Nothing wrong with having a good looking setup for room decor...

As long as the snake healthy and your keeping proper humidity and temp I say go for the best looking aquarium/terrarium you can get. And to answere your queston I moved my BP into a 30gal tall when it was about the same size and had no problems, I just made sure to give him plenty of hides with all that space.

Just wondering, can you even get a thermal gradient with a tall tank?? Aren't they like octagons???

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Originally Posted by JLC

Come on, people. Let's not try to read the worst into what someone types in a thread. Many of us enjoy lovely display setups that show off our animals, but that doesn't mean we don't care about the animals. Unless someone actually types something like "I won't put any hides in there because then no one would see my cool snake" or something equally rediculous, then let's just assume he meant that he would like to have a nice display in his room like so many others of us have.

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That is exactly what I mean. I DO care for my snake, I DO whatever I can to make sure it is staying healthy, but I also don't want a rubbermaid container sitting on my nightstand just bc it is easier. I want to be able to show off the beauty of a BP to anyone who comes in. Keep in mind, it is mostly 3 or 4 people tops who come into my room anyway.

Freakie_frog, I bought a BP because I have always loved snakes and finally got the chance to own and care for one. Why not make it look good?

^ We were under the impression that you got it just for looks and to just be a decoration. No one was trying to be rude, but we just thought of it the wrong way.

You'll basically have a tank sitting there with a snake hiding in a hidespot. Sorry to disappoint you, but BPs aren't display animals. And making an elaborate, nice looking natural tank only harbors bacteria and makes cleanup harder.

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Originally Posted by Ginevive

You'll basically have a tank sitting there with a snake hiding in a hidespot. Sorry to disappoint you, but BPs aren't display animals. And making an elaborate, nice looking natural tank only harbors bacteria and makes cleanup harder.

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True, but only some do. One of mine loves to climb on the branches I gave her and will sit up there thinking shes a tree python all the time. The other one likes to just sit in his hide, which supports what you said.

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Originally Posted by Ginevive

You'll basically have a tank sitting there with a snake hiding in a hidespot. Sorry to disappoint you, but BPs aren't display animals. And making an elaborate, nice looking natural tank only harbors bacteria and makes cleanup harder.

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for the 3 weeks that i have had mine, there hasnt been a day that it was active and slithering around the tank

Exactly why a tank is so much hassle. If it is shy, why get a nice, expensive tank that isn't going to be used?

I have my guy in a tub because I never see him unless it's late at night or if I bring him out. I had him in a tank, but that was just a pain and took up room.

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

Freakie_frog, I bought a BP because I have always loved snakes and finally got the chance to own and care for one. Why not make it look good?

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Just making sure that your first concern was it health. Hope i got pics of my viv's if you want ideas. Good luck

I use a glass viv and although i'm waiting to be able to afford a nice new rack, when I did set up my vivs I did make them look pleasing to the eye. Of course my snakes needs were met, yet at the same time the two 20 gallon tanks in my nice basement did not seem out of place.

From someone with glass viv experience I think the hassle isn't worth it, but that is up to you to decide. Cleaning them is a pain since glass weighs a lot more than plastic. You might want to consider housing in a tub and simply bringing out the snake on a few occasions to show to your friends.