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Thread: is 36x18 ok?

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    is 36x18 ok?

    I always rememberd a 40 breeder equivalent being the go to size for BPs, but it seems now certain people are saying 4x2 is " the new standard". Ive had my male in a 41 qt and now a 116ish qt (36 ×18) and he seems fine just wanted to get opinion. Might look at a christmas tree tote (52x20) this winter.

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    My bps are all on 36x18. They're all over 10 years old.
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    I think for a male BP, your 36" x 18" is fine; it's the female BPs that tend to get larger & may need more space. Of course, take into consideration any "exceptions to the rule" & also that they grow their whole lives, so a 30+ year old male might need more space but that's a long way off.
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    Re: is 36x18 ok?

    Quote Originally Posted by Vader1 View Post
    I always rememberd a 40 breeder equivalent being the go to size for BPs, but it seems now certain people are saying 4x2 is " the new standard". Ive had my male in a 41 qt and now a 116ish qt (36 ×18) and he seems fine just wanted to get opinion. Might look at a christmas tree tote (52x20) this winter.
    I agree that a 36x18 is fine, but that a properly set up 4x2 is better. A christmas tree tote is an intriguing option, but, unless your ambient temp is 80 degrees, it looks like it would be a challenge to heat.
    Last edited by Homebody; 08-23-2022 at 03:31 PM.
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    Re: is 36x18 ok?

    Quote Originally Posted by Bogertophis View Post
    I think for a male BP, your 36" x 18" is fine; it's the female BPs that tend to get larger & may need more space. Of course, take into consideration any "exceptions to the rule" & also that they grow their whole lives, so a 30+ year old male might need more space but that's a long way off.

    Yea for a big female i would agree, ive seen some chunkers. My guy is about 9 years old and i dont feel like he is too cramped.

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    Quote Originally Posted by anatess View Post
    My bps are all on 36x18. They're all over 10 years old.

    Yea mine is 9.

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    Re: is 36x18 ok?

    Quote Originally Posted by Homebody View Post
    I agree that a 36x18 is fine, but that a properly set up 4x2 is better. A christmas tree tote is an intriguing option, but, unless your ambient temp is 80 degrees, it looks like it would be a challenge to heat.
    Well i used to not worry bout supplemental heat, my my new house stays rather cold. last winter was fine but this year he went off food so now he has a hot hide (88) a cool hide(77 to 81) and a cooler hide (74ish). I dont think a extra foot would make it much harder, maybe just up the wattage of my CHE.

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    Re: is 36x18 ok?

    Quote Originally Posted by Vader1 View Post
    Well i used to not worry bout supplemental heat, my my new house stays rather cold. last winter was fine but this year he went off food so now he has a hot hide (88) a cool hide(77 to 81) and a cooler hide (74ish). I dont think a extra foot would make it much harder, maybe just up the wattage of my CHE.
    It depends on how much more air you're trying to keep warm- don't assume, try it first: test for at least a week without an occupant, & in winter when your place is chilly. That's the only way to know.
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    So I started off with a big (48x20) tote. My ball python seemed fine there, but I had some issues. I think it was fine because ambient temperatures in the room were on a natural daily cycle of between 80-90 degrees. The undertank heat mat was cranked pretty high (like 101 degrees) to raise the plastic surface temperature a few degrees. I also couldn't stick it right to the plastic on the particular tote, I had to use foil, all-weather tape to keep it stuck. I started on paper towels for substrate, and humidity was pretty easy to control. Once I added Reptichip, the humidity spiked up to the 90s and high 80s. I had to take out a ton of the moist stuff, wipe down the condensation, and mix in a lot of dry substrate to get the humidity down.

    Very soon after getting my snake, I was given an Exoterra Large/Low (36x18x12). The undertank heat mat sticks to the glass well and keeps the glass surface over it about 1-2 degrees lower than the thermostat set point. I used the all-weather tape to tape off all but two lengthwise ⅛" slits across the top screen and have no trouble maintaining humidity over 60%.

    I think my problems with the tote are that I didn't pick a great tote for the job. The bottom had some honeycomb pattern instead of being flat. I also may not have drilled enough holes to allow enough ventilation, which is why humidity was too high. Finally, this winter, I don't know how I would've heated the tote to get good ambient temps. With the glass, if room temps get too low for an appropriate ambient temp, I can always get a low-power ceramic heat emitter on a thermostat.

    I like the Exoterra, but I'm currently building a PVC 4x2x2. Partially because I want to give my snake more space to move around and for me to add enrichment items, and partially because I think I'd like to get a smaller snake like a Hognose or Rosy Boa down the road to put in the Exoterra.

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    Re: is 36x18 ok?

    Quote Originally Posted by Vader1 View Post
    Well i used to not worry bout supplemental heat, my my new house stays rather cold. last winter was fine but this year he went off food so now he has a hot hide (88) a cool hide(77 to 81) and a cooler hide (74ish). I dont think a extra foot would make it much harder, maybe just up the wattage of my CHE.
    Installing a CHE in a plastic enclosure is what I would be concerned about. I know people do it, but I'd find it challenging. When I had my bp in a sterilite tub, I only used a UTH because my ambient temp is high.
    Last edited by Homebody; 08-23-2022 at 07:57 PM.
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    Re: is 36x18 ok?

    Quote Originally Posted by Bogertophis View Post
    It depends on how much more air you're trying to keep warm- don't assume, try it first: test for at least a week without an occupant, & in winter when your place is chilly. That's the only way to know.
    Amen and amen. Can't emphasis this enough. Get your enclosure dialed in before you put your critter in it. Pay particular attention to your temps, humidity, and security.
    Last edited by Homebody; 08-23-2022 at 07:57 PM.
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