Why do they house......

I have seen many new owners put their balls in a 55 gallon? Why? I have seen little babies in such a huge tank. I resuced a ball that was in a huge tank, no hides, only heat lamp for warmth. I see this again and again.

I guess people just assume because it is a snake it needs TONS AND TONS OF ROOM TO BE FREE. Or some people are convinced that they are spoiling their ball python with more room to explore. It doesn't make sense to me either.

Because the anthromorphize their snakes. They put human emotions and desires before the animal's needs for security. And many times, it's because they haven't done their research thoroughly enough before acquiring a ball python to understand what its basic needs are.

Or maybe that's the only tank they had?? ;)

I personally see nothing wrong with a bigger tank as long as your husbandry is spot on. It's pretty easy to fill a 55 gal if you do multiple hides, some greenery, some rock and a piece of driftwood or two. I have my ball in a 33 long and he has never had any trouble eating or shedding which I attribute to correct temps, proper hides and a full secure feeling tank.

I used to keep my adult male in a 60 Gallon. 3 heat lamps, no belly heat a tight fitting hide, a hand towel rack to climb on, and a huge water dish. Temps, humidity, etc were always fine, but yeah I realized that he only used the hide and water dish, occasionally thermoregulating.

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Originally Posted by Allie

Or maybe that's the only tank they had?? ;)

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if you going to take in any animal and you cant provide proper houseing and care then you shouldnt have that animal!

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Originally Posted by Allie

Or maybe that's the only tank they had?? ;)

I personally see nothing wrong with a bigger tank as long as your husbandry is spot on. It's pretty easy to fill a 55 gal if you do multiple hides, some greenery, some rock and a piece of driftwood or two. I have my ball in a 33 long and he has never had any trouble eating or shedding which I attribute to correct temps, proper hides and a full secure feeling tank.

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It doesn't take much to put a 55 gallon on Craigslist and go out and buy a rubbermaid tub and the cage accessories. I spent $100 on 2 tubs and that was 4 hides, 2 water bowls, 2 UTHs, 2 dimmers, and 2 19qt rubbermaid tubs. Cost isn't an excuse when you can sell a tank and stand of that size for at least $100.

Also a 33 Long is the recommended size so there shouldn't be an issue there.

My buddy had his in a 75 gallon and had a 20L to feed him in. I told him to put the BP in the 20L and get him something to put into the 75...he went out a few days later and got a nice JCP.

I dont see anything wrong with a 55 gallon tank if you put multiple hides in it. Im sure in the wild they venture further than what a 20 gallon long provides space wise.

but there is a difference in the wild and being in a tank. They are having to survive in the wild but when their meals are provided for them IMO security is the best thing and making them comfortable.

i have my 9 month old in a 30gal tank and it will house him for his life.

My first was in a 20L because I did my research. Then a few years after that I switched everything over to using rack systems I built and you couldn't pay me to go back. Those mesh screen covers that tank can use never let the humidity stay right. Someone even told me to put aluminium foil over the screen to hold it in and I thought heck no, I bought the tanks to be able to see them. There just came a point when you have to say the python might not want to be seen and might feel more secure in a smaller enclosure. Btw, while in the 20L my new female baby ball would only eat a small mouse about couple of weeks, after switching to rack she started eatting the one same small mouse every two days.

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Originally Posted by Little B-Py

but there is a difference in the wild and being in a tank. They are having to survive in the wild but when their meals are provided for them IMO security is the best thing and making them comfortable.

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I agree but if you have several hides in a 55 gallon tank you are providing security and also a more varied temperature gradient that they can utilize. I use 55 gallon tanks that I paint black and put 4 hides in. I also put a large branch that I hotglue fake leaves onto which provides cover to most of the bottom of the tank. They use all 4 hides throughout the week and also sometimes just lay under the leaves. Never had a feeding problem whatsoever. As they get older I switch to two hides but keep the leaves as they seem to prefer the leaves as they get older.

I don't think a large tank is a problem if 2 crucial criteria are met.

1) Its thermal regulated correctly, and humidity as well.

2) there are money assorted places for your BP to squeeze into and hid. not necessarily a hide but some where he can get in tightly and feel safe. Hides are great, foliage, any of that stuff. but make sure theirs is a fair assortment of choice for them.

if you have done both. then you have provided them with a as natural as you can habitat with the feeling of security for your BP. be it 20gal or 55gal the same theories apply.

larger tanks are just a larger pain in the ass IMO

I tend to figure that it is two things primarily (despite how much research a person does and then dismisses)...

a) They must really like it. I mean I like having room, so my snake is the same.

b) BPs are GREAT display animals! Despite hiding 90% of the time, etc. Sadly this tends to be re-inforced when stressed out hyper active BPs in overly large enclosures spend more of their time pacing than they do hiding. That stress reaction is then percieved as *happy fuzzy snake loves his humongous house*.

Bruce

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Originally Posted by akaangela

I have seen many new owners put their balls in a 55 gallon? Why? I have seen little babies in such a huge tank. I resuced a ball that was in a huge tank, no hides, only heat lamp for warmth. I see this again and again.

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Originally Posted by Coins

I agree but if you have several hides in a 55 gallon tank you are providing security and also a more varied temperature gradient that they can utilize. I use 55 gallon tanks that I paint black and put 4 hides in. I also put a large branch that I hotglue fake leaves onto which provides cover to most of the bottom of the tank. They use all 4 hides throughout the week and also sometimes just lay under the leaves. Never had a feeding problem whatsoever. As they get older I switch to two hides but keep the leaves as they seem to prefer the leaves as they get older.

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Sorry, but does this mean you are housing more than one snake in a 55 gallon? It sure sounds like it..

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

Sorry, but does this mean you are housing more than one snake in a 55 gallon? It sure sounds like it..

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that and it sounds like its almost impossible to clean

If space is not an issue than I dont see a problem. I used a 65 gal for my first bp for almost 1 1/2 years. Never had any incident with feeding issues or any other health problems. Only got rid of it because my collection out grew my space and I had to switch to racks. Some of the people that are so against tanks have no idea what they are talking about all your snake needs is proper husbandry and if you choose to supply it with some extra space to move around in if it so chooses then more power to you. And as for the difficulty of a tank as opposed to a rack/tub system. I never had any problem with humidity or temps. All I did was mist once a day and had one UTH and one heat lamp. In the end its your animals so choose to house thiem in what yor comfortable with. As long as there needs are met.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

Sorry, but does this mean you are housing more than one snake in a 55 gallon? It sure sounds like it..

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I think hes referring to using several of the same setups for his snakes.

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Originally Posted by little b-py

it doesn't take much to put a 55 gallon on craigslist and go out and buy a rubbermaid tub and the cage accessories. I spent $100 on 2 tubs and that was 4 hides, 2 water bowls, 2 uths, 2 dimmers, and 2 19qt rubbermaid tubs. Cost isn't an excuse when you can sell a tank and stand of that size for at least $100.

Also a 33 long is the recommended size so there shouldn't be an issue there.

My buddy had his in a 75 gallon and had a 20l to feed him in. I told him to put the bp in the 20l and get him something to put into the 75...he went out a few days later and got a nice jcp.

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it was a joke.. Note the ;)

so what your saying a 4x2x1 is to big. i have a huge piece of drift wood that takes up almost the entire cage and i have added like 3+ other hides

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Originally Posted by Little B-Py

It doesn't take much to put a 55 gallon on Craigslist and go out and buy a rubbermaid tub and the cage accessories. I spent $100 on 2 tubs and that was 4 hides, 2 water bowls, 2 UTHs, 2 dimmers, and 2 19qt rubbermaid tubs. Cost isn't an excuse when you can sell a tank and stand of that size for at least $100.

Also a 33 Long is the recommended size so there shouldn't be an issue there.

My buddy had his in a 75 gallon and had a 20L to feed him in. I told him to put the BP in the 20L and get him something to put into the 75...he went out a few days later and got a nice JCP.

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I'd personally LOVE to know how you buy all that with $100...

And I personally LOVE to know who is stupid enough to spend $100 on a used 55g

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Originally Posted by Wrongside

I'd personally LOVE to know how you buy all that with $100...

And I personally LOVE to know who is stupid enough to spend $100 on a used 55g

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I easily bought it all with $100. The tubs were only like $4 or 5 at walmart, the rest I got at petsmart and Emerald Bay. I have put my 40 gallon breeder online and had someone asking about it within a few days.

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Originally Posted by Wrongside

I'd personally LOVE to know how you buy all that with $100...

And I personally LOVE to know who is stupid enough to spend $100 on a used 55g

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2 tubs ---------------$20
2 water bowls --------$4
4 hides---------------$16
2 UTH----------------$30
2 Dimmers------------$20
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$90 + or - Tax and shipping


Tada~

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Originally Posted by Wrongside

I'd personally LOVE to know how you buy all that with $100...

And I personally LOVE to know who is stupid enough to spend $100 on a used 55g

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ill brake that down for you:

2 tubs roughly 12$
2 water bowls= walmart ramkins 88cents a piece
2 uth = 2 pieces of flexawatt 3"x 1' roughtly 22$
4 hides= cheap plastic food containers they are usually like 2-3$ for 6
then black marker for the hides about 1$
those lamp dimmers are roughly 20$ each

as for someone buying the 55 gal tank some might but alot of ppl wont buy a used tank for that much

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

2 tubs ---------------$20
2 water bowls --------$4
4 hides---------------$16
2 UTH----------------$30
2 Dimmers------------$20
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$90 + or - Tax and shipping


Tada~

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Tubs were a little cheaper but I also bought aluminum foil ($1) and aluminum tape ($6)

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Originally Posted by Little B-Py

Tubs were a little cheaper but I also bought aluminum foil ($1) and aluminum tape ($6)

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Yeah, I already have those, so I didn't think of them. I get iris tubs with the locking tops because I don't have a rack and need some security. Thus Why they are a bit more pricey, but it all evens out!

I just used rubbermaids with locking tops.

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Originally Posted by Little B-Py

I just used rubbermaids with locking tops.

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I don't know if the rubbermaids have this, but iris tubs have this lip on the edges of the tub and the top to make it basically impossible for the snake to push its way out.

haven't seen an iris tub to be able to tell you. I know that mine have clips that slide inward/outward to attach/release the top. I know mine can't get out of them.

I don't see a thermostat any place in your figgures. I know you can use a dimmer but where is your heat gun or thermostat? How are you judging humidity? What are you using for substrate?

When I first got into balls I did get a 55g tank (that is why I asked). I had it split in half and had one ball on each side, but when I found how much better they ate in tubs I never went back. I also admit I went and spent the money on 2 johnsons. I now also have a herpstat and am fighting the urge to get a herpstat pro......OH I SO want one of those

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Originally Posted by akaangela

I don't see a thermostat any place in your figgures. I know you can use a dimmer but where is your heat gun or thermostat? How are you judging humidity? What are you using for substrate?

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Who was that statement aimed for?

If me, then i use a Pro Exotics PE-2 temp gun with an accurite indoor/outdoor thermometer to measure heat and humidity. I use aspen for substrate.

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Originally Posted by akaangela

I don't see a thermostat any place in your figgures. I know you can use a dimmer but where is your heat gun or thermostat? How are you judging humidity? What are you using for substrate?

When I first got into balls I did get a 55g tank (that is why I asked). I had it split in half and had one ball on each side, but when I found how much better they ate in tubs I never went back. I also admit I went and spent the money on 2 johnsons. I now also have a herpstat and am fighting the urge to get a herpstat pro......OH I SO want one of those

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Well yeah you will need a heat gun and thermometers. I guess I didn't really take that into account. Either way, a thermometer and hydrometer together is $15 (ac-urite). I put the dimmer on my list because the whole point was to prove that you can indeed do a setup for under $100. Adding a thermostat would put you over, but is preferred. If people are on a tight budget, its better they have something to regulate the heat.

as for heat guns, the PE-1 from Pro Exotics is only like $25 and is basically all that is needed.

I already had the thermometers, substrate, and heat guns and that is why I didn't add those in.

You guys would cry if you see the prices I pay for some of this stuff in Nova Scotia. There is no way it could be done correctly for $100.

For my current setup i have about $400 invested easily. and its nothing off the wall extravagant, i guess market demad has caused inflation of price in my area. because a 8w UTH is $29.99 for a nice Zoo Med on here. and my 30-50gal UTH was $49.99, tank was $120 (was marked for $159.99, payed cash) then i have the hides, Waterfall, a few other hides i don't use right now a larger water dish that i use in his feeding tank and a 2 heat lamps, with a 50W and 100w bulb. the stupid bulbs are priced more then they are worth and the Aluminum lamp hood was $25 each... it adds up fast. Ontario isn't the cheapest for the herp hoby, made my own double outlet 600w dimmer for about $25. BUT i have him set up correctly and thats what counts.

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Originally Posted by JeffJ

For my current setup i have about $400 invested. ontario isnt the cheapers for the herp hoby

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But as I recall, you don't use tubs? ;)

Lol I feel like such a cheepy sometimes.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

But as I recall, you don't use tubs? ;)

Lol I feel like such a cheepy sometimes.

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what fun is a tub when its your first BP and you would like to have him out for viewing. :P

when i get a female later this year ill switch up the arrangements and we will have to see what way i go ;)

but i 100% do want to breed when they mature. it looks like so much fun and i just love the little guys. so im thinking i will make a smaller rack system for the juvies and hatch lings.

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Originally Posted by JeffJ

what fun is a tub when its your first BP and you would like to have him out for viewing. :P

when i get a female later this year ill switch up the arrangements and we will have to see what way i go ;)

but i 100% do want to breed when they mature. it looks like so much fun and i just love the little guys. so im thinking i will make a smaller rack system for the juvies and hatch lings.

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Hm that is strange, I can have my first bp out for viewing and she is in a tub. If you mean put him on display, then have fun looking at some nice scenery and no snake! No offence but bp's make terrible show snakes.:rofl:

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

Hm that is strange, I can have my first bp out for viewing and she is in a tub. If you mean put him on display, then have fun looking at some nice scenery and no snake! No offence but bp's make terrible show snakes.:rofl:

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well thankfully mine doesn't hide all the time :P as soon as its dark he is out and about ;) he isnt so timed. :snake:

Mine comes out as soon as it gets dark outside too. So right now he's out from about 6pm on. We get to see him lots.

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Originally Posted by Allie

Mine comes out as soon as it gets dark outside too. So right now he's out from about 6pm on. We get to see him lots.

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same here

mine is running lightless, because the timer i bought has failed already. what junk. im going to grab a CHE some thick vinyl and a cheap dimmer for it this weekend and just install some moon light LED's and use them for night viewing and ambient day light for his light cycle.

I just use the window for cycling. We have an open concept main floor so it works well. Kitchen at one end, dining in the middle and living room (with tanks) at the far end. We use UTH's for heating with no overhead lights since the tanks are in a very sunny room during the day. In the evening we keep the lights off in the immediate tank area but on in the kitchen at the other end of the floor. It's enough light to see them but not enough that it drives everyone back into their hides.

All my nocturnal guys come out right at 6pm like clockwork. Of course the leos are looking for dinner too. They start giving me the stink eye if they don't see the feeder tank by 7pm. lol

my beardy gives me the stink eye right after work every day at 5:15 like clock work too :P

Don't even get me started on my beardie. I'm her total slave 24 hours a day.

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Originally Posted by Allie

Don't even get me started on my beardie. I'm her total slave 24 hours a day.

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ive been thinking of a way to construct some form of auto cricket dispenser lol so far i have not found a plausible way. he is still little and isnt into fresh fruit or veggies so much yet.

It is what I have mine in and he does fine. Also mine is NOT a baby. He is just over 4 ft. I also have some nice foliage and hides and water bowls. I see nothing wrong w/ it! Just my 2 cents.

If my BP is out at night, I never see her. Sometimes she pokes her head out to say hello, but that is about it.