Appropriate Tub Size?

Hi Everyone!
I have several of my ball pythons in 15 qt tubs, and the larger ones in 32 qt tubs. I was just wondering at what size (like by weight) do I need to move them all to larger tubs? Thanks!

For huge female's or breeding pairs i would consider moving her into a 41 qt tub.:gj:

Babies are in a 6qt will about 200 grams then they go to a 15qt (which is a 32 qt split in half) till they are 500-600 grams my males live 100% of their lives in 32 qt tubs. I don't move females till they get over 1200 grams. I offer all my animals in 15-41qt tubs a hide the 6qt tubs are close enough they don't need one.

hope that helps

We all do it a bit differently but this is how I do it

Up to 500 grams – 15 Quarts (16 3/8"L x 11 1/2"W x 5 7/8"H)

Up to 1500 grams – 32 Quarts (23 1/2"L x 16 1/4"W x 6 3/8"H)

Above 1500 grams – 41 Quarts (34 3/4"L x 16 1/2"W x 6"H)

dunno how its possible to fit 2 hides and a water dish in such small tubs?? Id like to see some pics of your tubs to see how you manage it.

Hatchlings - 60-66qt tub (green hides switched out with black zillas)
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../7/3/tubs1.jpg

500-1000g - 96qt tub (2 hides in each tub)
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../7/3/tubs2.jpg


1000+ - custom 4x2 cage.
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../7/3/tubs3.jpg

-hatchling up to about 250g - 6qt tub, 1 hide, 1 2" water bowl
-juvie up to about 1000g - 15qt tub, 1 hide, 1 3" water bowl
-1000-1500g, and males permanently - 32qt tub, 1 hide, 1 4-5" water bowl
-1500+ females - 41qt tub, 1 hide, 1 6-8" water bowl(or bigger depending on if they have a fetish for tipping the bowl)

And Josh, I know we've been over this before, but once you hatch your own babies, you'll find that they thrive better in the shoebox tubs, especially when you have to deal with non-eaters. If you get the 70qt+ tub that is the long underbed box, even that is plenty of room for even the biggest of adult female Balls. They have no need for those taller tubs that require extra heat to heat up all that air space.

becky whats the difference between a hatchling someone else hatched and mailed to me... or me hatching one myself? Theyhave no need for taller tubs? What about like when theyre awake at night and wanna move around? ALL 9 of my snakes use the plastic climbing things I provide them so I dont think your statement about "no use for them" is correct.

Pigsnpythons - I know your looking for advice but move them when you feel they need larger enclosures. Theres nothing set in stone saying "if its this big it needs to be in this big of an enclosure" Play with it yourself and youll figure out what works best for you

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JoshJP7

dunno how its possible to fit 2 hides and a water dish in such small tubs?? Id like to see some pics of your tubs to see how you manage it.

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I usually don’t do picture on demand but since I am in the middle of cleaning I might as well do so.

This is a 15 quarts tubs 2 hides 1 water dish, I don’t usually use 2 hides, just one 1 in my rack (and yes I know I always recommend 2 but this is another story)

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...Other/Tub1.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...Other/Tub2.jpg

This is the newest arrival (200+ grams) and I still use 2 hides for him (first pic is the actual setup, second pic to show bigger hides). He can slither on the top of his hides without any issue meaning the whole space of the 15 quarts tub is being used.

This tub is for sub-adult (32 quarts) only one hide being used

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...tEnclosure.jpg

All are healthy, eating (never experienced fast) growing like weeds and stress free.

Thanks for the pics... I dont disagree that you can keep a snake healthy and happy in small tubs but you dont think adding more space is a good idea? I see how much my snakes actually use the extra space and I think its great for exercise. I use the rule 1ft of tub for every 1ft of snake. If your snakes 3ft your tubs 3ft long... Most people say a snake needs 2/3 of its length... I say it needs all of it. I picked up a 1000g male a couple weeks ago... tossed him in a custom enclosure which was probably 3 times the size of his old one... he hid in his hide for the first couple nights and now hes out every night crawling all over the place. You think the snakes thinking "ahhh yes nice n tight just the way i like it"... I think hes saying "god damn it i cant even move in this thing!"... I guess our different perspectives lead us to different methods of keeping snakes... Since theres no "BP government" or study on "BP living conditions" we'll never know which one is "better."

Ok wow, thanks everybody! Right now I have my two biggest (1200 g and 450 g) in a 32 qt and all of my others (all under 400 g) in a 15 qt. It sounds like they are all fine where they are for now. I guess my next move will be finding my biggest girl a 41 qt tub. Thanks again!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JoshJP7

I guess our different perspectives lead us to different methods of keeping snakes... Since theres no "BP government" or study on "BP living conditions" we'll never know which one is "better."

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Perception and what I have learned through the years (ouch make me sound old)

I think we had the same debate before somewhere else :rolleyes: and I believe many things can be made to work if the BP needs are met, and if you have an attentive owner that know his animals.

Even after talking to various people including breeders I still experimented, doing my own things (yep been there done that) and I came to MY own conclusions.

Experimenting and finding what work for you and your animals is the most important but it requires being able to know and understand your animal, which is not always the case of people starting out in this hobby and this is why when I give advice I take in consideration how BP live, what my animals have thought me, what I have learn through other people’s and I give advice based on the majority not the exceptions.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JoshJP7

Thanks for the pics... I dont disagree that you can keep a snake healthy and happy in small tubs but you dont think adding more space is a good idea? I see how much my snakes actually use the extra space and I think its great for exercise. I use the rule 1ft of tub for every 1ft of snake. If your snakes 3ft your tubs 3ft long... Most people say a snake needs 2/3 of its length... I say it needs all of it. I picked up a 1000g male a couple weeks ago... tossed him in a custom enclosure which was probably 3 times the size of his old one... he hid in his hide for the first couple nights and now hes out every night crawling all over the place. You think the snakes thinking "ahhh yes nice n tight just the way i like it"... I think hes saying "god damn it i cant even move in this thing!"... I guess our different perspectives lead us to different methods of keeping snakes... Since theres no "BP government" or study on "BP living conditions" we'll never know which one is "better."

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ball pythons spend most of their time coiled up inactive. if they are excessively moving about they are either hungry or feel unsecure where they are at. the more extra stuff you add to an environment the harder it can become to make sure all of the BASIC life support systems are in effect, hence the majority of tub users go minimalist to maximize correct life support systems... is it wrong or right? nah. if you feel your bp "wants" or "needs" more space then by all means go for it as long as the basic life support is met.

now to ask a similar question to the OP, but in regards to a tank. I'll be aquiring a yearling BP, approx. 700g give or take. Can I temp house him in a 15g long tank until I get a rack system? I'd be getting it in 2 months time. As long as the basic requirements are met, this wouldn't affect him greatly would it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ladydragon

now to ask a similar question to the OP, but in regards to a tank. I'll be aquiring a yearling BP, approx. 700g give or take. Can I temp house him in a 15g long tank until I get a rack system? I'd be getting it in 2 months time. As long as the basic requirements are met, this wouldn't affect him greatly would it?

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Your snake will be fine in a tank for as long as you choose to keep him there, provinding, as they have said before, that the basic needs are met. (Temps, humidity, hides)
I kept mine in tanks for the longest time, and had no problems at all, other than keeping the humidity up.
However, speaking from experience, I got a much better feeding response in all three snakes once they were housed in tubs. ;)

kewl. thanx. I dont plan on keeping any of my bp's in tanks for long. lol, I dont even have any yet, but waiting to get some. Just planning ahead and getting everything ready. I have spare tanks at the moment, so hence my tank question. But I am planning on getting a rack system so they eventuall all will be in tubs. Although, I may keep a tank or two for displaying purposes. :D