Vote for BP.Net for the 2013 Forum of the Year! Click here for more info.

» Site Navigation

» Home
 > FAQ

» Online Users: 3,133

2 members and 3,131 guests
Most users ever online was 6,337, 01-24-2020 at 04:30 AM.

» Today's Birthdays

None

» Stats

Members: 75,031
Threads: 248,490
Posts: 2,568,453
Top Poster: JLC (31,651)
Welcome to our newest member, isismomma
Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    Registered User Mittens's Avatar
    Join Date
    04-06-2015
    Posts
    49
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked 11 Times in 8 Posts
    Images: 8

    Choosing a size for new enclosure tank

    Hey all,

    I'm setting up a new enclosure for my BP and I can't really decide on the two sizes ...

    I'm planning on going with a Boaphile cage, either the 422D or 322D. The measurements are as follows:

    422D: 48L x 24D x 17.5H (in inches)
    322D: 36L x 24D x 17.5H (in inches)

    My BP is currently about 3 feet long, and hovering around 1700 grams. She's currently in a 41qt tub that I made myself and thought it's a good time to upgrade.

    Reason why I ask is because I know the consensus is that BP's like cozy enclosures that aren't too large. I don't put any fancy stuff in her cage so all she has are two hides and the hygrometer/thermometer with paper towel substrate. Would going the bigger route be too big for her? She seems fine in her current 41 qt which measures about 36 inches in length but at times I feel like she feels a bit cramped since she's not always in her hide (the first 2.5 years I've had her, she pretty much stayed in her hide the whole time). She's never gone on hunger strikes and always shed in one piece so I don't think shes stressed out in her current set up. But I also don't want to get the larger enclosure and have her possibly go on a hunger strike (friend of mine swapped to a bigger enclosure and her snake didn't eat for like 8 months). Any suggestions would be great, thanks!
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    0.1
    Ball Python (Lucille Ball) - Super Russo / White Diamond [Born Nov. 2014]

  2. #2
    BPnet Veteran Godzilla78's Avatar
    Join Date
    04-18-2016
    Location
    Asheville, NC, USA
    Posts
    2,382
    Thanks
    3,260
    Thanked 2,106 Times in 1,195 Posts

    Re: Choosing a size for new enclosure tank

    I would go with the smaller one, since you dont put anything in the tank except for hides and water bowl.
    Big tanks are awesome, but require more to keep them cluttered with “cover” and more energy to maintain temps

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to Godzilla78 For This Useful Post:

    Sonny1318 (04-20-2018)

  4. #3
    BPnet Senior Member artgecko's Avatar
    Join Date
    05-07-2009
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    1,699
    Thanks
    22
    Thanked 792 Times in 517 Posts
    I have my boas, carpet, and BRB in 4'x2' x 15-18" tall cages. Between large hides, and a bowl large enough to soak in, it takes up the room fast. Keep in mind that some BPs can get over 4' long also. I have an adult female that is pushing 4.5' at this point.

    If it was me, I'd go ahead and go with the 4' long cage to give you room to position things how you want them and add a branch or fake plants if you so desire.

    BTW, are you aware that boaphile can have a long lead time and can have poor communication via email? I've heard he does better when you actually call him and talk to him (he is old school). Nothing against the guy, just wanted to let you know the best way to contact him.

    All of my cages are either AP or C-serpents.
    Currently keeping:
    1.0 BCA 1.0 BCI
    1.0 CA BCI 1.1 BCLs
    0.1 BRB 1.2 KSBs
    1.0 Carpet 0.5 BPs
    0.2 cresteds 1.2 gargs
    1.0 Leachie 0.0.1 BTS

  5. The Following User Says Thank You to artgecko For This Useful Post:

    MissterDog (04-20-2018)

  6. #4
    Registered User Mittens's Avatar
    Join Date
    04-06-2015
    Posts
    49
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked 11 Times in 8 Posts
    Images: 8

    Re: Choosing a size for new enclosure tank

    Quote Originally Posted by Godzilla78 View Post
    I would go with the smaller one, since you dont put anything in the tank except for hides and water bowl.
    Big tanks are awesome, but require more to keep them cluttered with “cover” and more energy to maintain temps
    True that, I do have some issues keeping the ambient temperature up in the winter.

    Quote Originally Posted by artgecko View Post
    I have my boas, carpet, and BRB in 4'x2' x 15-18" tall cages. Between large hides, and a bowl large enough to soak in, it takes up the room fast. Keep in mind that some BPs can get over 4' long also. I have an adult female that is pushing 4.5' at this point.

    If it was me, I'd go ahead and go with the 4' long cage to give you room to position things how you want them and add a branch or fake plants if you so desire.

    BTW, are you aware that boaphile can have a long lead time and can have poor communication via email? I've heard he does better when you actually call him and talk to him (he is old school). Nothing against the guy, just wanted to let you know the best way to contact him.

    All of my cages are either AP or C-serpents.
    Thanks for the heads up about the boaphile guy, I just like theirs because they offer it in white (which I was looking for unlike AP cages) and has a lot of single door options. Seems like AP is more for breeders so most of their cages to my knowledge come with dual doors.



    I may end up getting the big one but I definitely don't want to add too much inside her enclosure as I want clean up to be as efficient as possible.. may have to do some more deep thinking before I make a decision.. thanks everyone!
    Last edited by Mittens; 04-20-2018 at 06:52 PM.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    0.1
    Ball Python (Lucille Ball) - Super Russo / White Diamond [Born Nov. 2014]

  7. #5
    BPnet Lifer dakski's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-08-2014
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    4,802
    Thanks
    8,109
    Thanked 9,691 Times in 3,863 Posts
    Images: 134

    Re: Choosing a size for new enclosure tank

    I have all Boaphile tanks and they are phenomenal. Jeff will answer or call back ASAP if you call him. He really knows his stuff and will help you get a tank and heating setup perfect for you.

    He dows generally answer emails. Says so on his site. Call him and you will be fine.

    I have 5 6x2’ tanks stacked. No issues and work great and as advertised.

  8. #6
    BPnet Lifer Reinz's Avatar
    Join Date
    08-05-2013
    Location
    East TX
    Posts
    8,019
    Thanks
    5,613
    Thanked 4,602 Times in 3,139 Posts
    Images: 9
    I don’t mean to buck anyone else’s advice, but I will tell you my experience.

    I have a Boaphile 322 being used as a quarantine cage for my Olive Python. She is a skinny baby/juvie at 4.5 feet and already outgrowing it. I would not even consider putting my adult BP in there.

    My BP is in a 4x2 and has some breathing room.

    If you only want to buy once, I recommend the 422 even though the 322 will work for now.
    The one thing I found that you can count on about Balls is that they are consistent about their inconsistentcy.

    1.2 Coastal Carpet Pythons
    Mack The Knife, 2013
    Lizzy, 2010
    Etta, 2013
    1.1 Jungle Carpet Pythons
    Esmarelda , 2014
    Sundance, 2012
    2.0 Common BI Boas, Punch, 2005; Butch, age?
    0.1 Normal Ball Python, Elvira, 2001
    0.1 Olive (Aussie) Python, Olivia, 2017

    Please excuse the spelling in my posts. Auto-Correct is my worst enema.

  9. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Reinz For This Useful Post:

    dakski (04-21-2018),MissterDog (04-20-2018),Sonny1318 (04-20-2018)

  10. #7
    BPnet Veteran Charles8088's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-14-2017
    Posts
    548
    Thanks
    806
    Thanked 468 Times in 215 Posts
    Images: 13

    Re: Choosing a size for new enclosure tank

    Quote Originally Posted by Mittens View Post
    Thanks for the heads up about the boaphile guy, I just like theirs because they offer it in white (which I was looking for unlike AP cages) and has a lot of single door options. Seems like AP is more for breeders so most of their cages to my knowledge come with dual doors.
    I believe AP enclosures are available in white as well. Its an option on their ordering system. But, single doors/double doors, I can't comment on. Though, wouldn't be surprised if they do that as well, since they seem to accommodate all sorts of customizations if you call them.
    0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake (Tynee)
    0.1 BEL Ball (Luna)
    0.1 Sunglow Boa (Pippi Longsnake)
    0.1 Woma Python (Uma)


    WANT LIST
    - Mangrove Snake

    - Russian Rat Snake
    - Eastern Indigo
    - Black Milk Snake
    - False Water Cobra
    - Rhino Rat Snake
    - Thai Bamboo Rat Snake
    - Western Hognose
    - Kenyan Sand Boa

  11. #8
    BPnet Senior Member Sonny1318's Avatar
    Join Date
    07-02-2014
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    2,262
    Thanks
    4,720
    Thanked 1,538 Times in 1,148 Posts
    Images: 9
    I used to speak with Jeff quite a bit, we grew up in the same town. Great guy, makes some nice quality stuff and is quite knowledgeable. Can’t go wrong dealing with him, I’d go for the smaller, but that’s just me.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.1