Good or Bad Idea?: Tank Question

From what I have been learning ball pythons should not be housed together because of possible cannibalism. I just got a new snake luckily I comes in August so I got time to figure this out. But I have been trying to think of how to set this up.

I have a 30 Gallon currently for my boy.

I have 4 possible options and want to know what would be the best one. Trying to make it cost effective to me...don't want to spend more than i need to.

The snake I am getting is an 07 baby so...here are the choices.

Options

Option #1: I can let my new baby use my old 10Gallon tank until she grows out of it.

Option #2: I can divide my 30 gallon into two separate spaces. Each side having a dimension of 18x18x12 and put one snake on each side.

Option #3: I can buy http://www.animalplastics.com/Sterilite/EP.html and put them both in their own compartment.

Option #4: I can buy another 30 Gallon

Cons

Option #1: Will still need to buy another tank or some kind of setup.

Option #2: Not sure if it is a good idea

Option #3: Won't have a use for my Glass tank

Option #4: Expensive, two will be hard to move, space.

Thanx for the help and feel free to suggest other ideas.

Hi,


Also remember that your new snake should be quarantined irrespective of where it comes from.


dr del

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,


Also remember that your new snake should be quarantined irrespective of where it comes from.


dr del

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If I understand correctly, then option 1 will allow you to quarantine the new one in the 10gal, perhaps in another room. When she outgrows that, then you can explore the other options. Just a thought.

Personally, I'd use the 10g in a different (quaratine) room until the baby outgrows it. With the little ones that I had, they were able to live in the 10g for a min. of 8 months. Pi**y was in it for just over a year, and Precious lived in it almost 9 months before he got too big, and this was feeding them every 5-7 days when they were tiny, and then every week after that. I liked using the 10g. I had a bunch of them on hand from my fish nursery days, and they were small enough to clean and move.

In about a year, you could move to something just a little bigger, then move on to the 30g. (This also gave me the ETS (Empty Tank Syndrome) that I just HAD to fill ;) once they outgrew the 10g.....now Oreo my Kenyan sand boa has a permanent home in it. :D :D Flurry the corn and Crystal the LTR are both in 10g's and JUST about grown enough to move to a new home.

Good luck in your decision.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,


Also remember that your new snake should be quarantined irrespective of where it comes from.


dr del

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please expand. My new snake can't even be able to smell my current one? How come?

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Originally Posted by mricyfire

please expand. My new snake can't even be able to smell my current one? How come?

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??

No, new snakes should be quarantined because of the possible spread of diseases. They should have no contact with each for 6 months, even a year maybe.

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Originally Posted by darkangel

??

No, new snakes should be quarantined because of the possible spread of diseases. They should have no contact with each for 6 months, even a year maybe.

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So the diseases will just go away after that...or is there something I need to do?

This is usually enough time for you figure out something is wrong... A BP with IBD is probably not going to live beyond 6 months. And if you have him checked out by a vet, you'll know soon enough whether he has parasites or mites and have time to treat him.

whoa starting to get worried. The new snake I am getting will be born in a couple weeks by an established breeder...are my chances of any of that happening slim to none?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by darkangel

??


No, new snakes should be quarantined because of the possible spread of diseases. They should have no contact with each for 6 months, even a year maybe.

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Cautious is good; however, most quarantine for roughly 3 months. In that time if something hasn't shown up your likely OK. During that time a vet visit would be a great idea as well.

Probably, but it's a better safe than sorry type deal...

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Originally Posted by ivylea77

Cautious is good; however, most quarantine for roughly 3 months. In that time if something hasn't shown up your likely OK. During that time a vet visit would be a great idea as well.

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Thanks :)

If the breeder as you say is "reputable" then some on here only qurantine for 1 month.



http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ght=quarantine

Regradless, anything can happen from anyone reputable or not. Best to err on the side of caution and as well make a vet visit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ivylea77

If the breeder as you say is "reputable" then some on here only qurantine for 1 month.



http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ght=quarantine

Regradless, anything can happen from anyone reputable or not. Best to err on the side of caution and as well make a vet visit.

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hmm interesting...if I got the rack as shown on the link what disease be able to spread if I had both snakes in there?

mites.



And mites may spread other diseases being blood drinking little parasites.


There may be others but thats the one that springs immediately to my mind.



dr del

so before i do anything i should PAM everything before moving the snakes in their new homes

I just want this to be as close to perfect as possible...dont know what I would do with myself if anything were to go wrong and something bad happen to them...well the one I have now is fine...just the new addition.

No not really - its dangerous stuff and if it's not needed I wouldnt use it.


Just quarantine them and keep a carefull eye out for signs of trouble in your new arrival.

The ideal soution (in terms of following good husbandry practice) would be to buy the rack for permanent housing if you want to ( or plan to get more snakes that would justify a full rack) but in the inital stages keep your new arrival in the spare 10 gallon you have in a seperate room.

Do all the manenance etc on your original snake first then wash your hands and do the new snake then wash your hands once more.

If you do spot flecks in the waterbowl/on the snake or paper ( and I would recomend paper for the quarantine tank as it can be kept cleaner and problems are easier to spot) then determine if they are anything you need to worry about and then treat if necessary.

The more snakes you add to your collection then the more important quarantine becomes so it's a good idea to get into good husbandry practice regarding it early.


dr del

been looking at these racks and they are all like 8 gallons (32qt)...how big of a snake will these support? full grown?

does anyone one know of racks made by other companies than animal plastics?

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Originally Posted by mricyfire

does anyone one know of racks made by other companies than animal plastics?

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Reptile Basics
http://www.reptilebasics.com/store/home.php?cat=251

and Boaphile are the two that I'm checking out right now
http://www.boaphileplastics.com/rhin...ball_room.html

There are lots of different companies that make racks. The one thing to keep in mind is either to get one that accomodates different size tubs (I have one that takes sweater boxes and also blanket boxes) or prepare to buy another one as your snake grows.

I am expecting a CB-70 rack from Reptile Basics tomorrow. I'll let you know what it's like when it arrives. I also checked into Vision racks which are nice, too.

As I told another poster, figure out what you want in a rack and then go looking for one. There are LOTS of different types, styles and sizes available, including some places that make custom racks.

A 32 qt. will house an adult male (from what I read). I can't speak from experience because I use only 41 qt. racks and 6 qt. racks

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

A 32 qt. will house an adult male (from what I read). I can't speak from experience because I use only 41 qt. racks and 6 qt. racks

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how about female? I havent seen many racks that go up to 41qt tubs...let me know where to look

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mricyfire

how about female? I havent seen many racks that go up to 41qt tubs...let me know where to look

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All of the major plastic caging companies have 41 qt. racks. Some may be the Sterilite 1760/1860/1960 or they may be the Iris CB-70. Both are about the same size. Females will need a 41 qt.

i know this is old but im going to comment anyway.. i wouldve chosen the seperate bins because ive found them so much easier to maintain and keep levels at what they are supposed to be, use the 30 gal (Assuming its long) for rats, because they make awesome pets :).. now time to read the rest of the thread responses

What about option #5? Just use rubbermaid or sterilite tubs with a UTH. You can easily and cheaply upgrade size and its light and portable so you can keep her/him in another room for 3 months for quarantine. There is no need for a rack system for a single tub. If your 30 gal. is on one of those aquarium stands you can put the tub on the bottom rack.The racks are way too expensive anyway. You could build two or more for the cost of one premade. You will find taking care of you snakes much easier when you get away from the tanks, I did.