Trying to get an estimate.. help?

[Sakayadream]

Hope this is the right place..
I have recently decided that I would like to own a ball python and I am WAY excited. I am hoping to buy it in.. oh say six months to a year, approx.
I will be a first time owner [of any type of reptile], and I have started doing all my research tonight. I've read a lot and I've got a pretty good idea of what I am getting into, but I want to know EXACTLY what I need and how much it will cost me before I jump into this.
My biggest question is about what exactly I need to put together a good enclosure. I know that a certain level of humidity and a certain temperature is required, but no where that I have looked tells me like.. what is the thing that I have to buy to regulate the humidity CALLED? Can I buy it at petsmart or petco or do I need to go somewhere that specializes in reptiles/enclosures? Can I get an approximate price estimate or a link to a site that sells those things?

So, since I haven't found that information anywhere else, I have come to you all.
Could anybody tell me EVERYTHING that I will need, what is it all CALLED [thats my biggest problem] and maybe a link or estimate of how much it costs would be immensely helpful as well. Or maybe an average cost to initially set up a suitable enclosure?
Oh, also, would a 30gal enclosure be sufficient for a fully grown ball python or should I go larger? I only intend on owning one snake and I want to buy an enclosure that it can live in for it's whole life, not one that I will have to replace in a year.
Basically, I know what needs to happen in the enclosure, just not what I need to make it happen.

Any other tips or suggestions would be appreciated as well, and thanks in advance for your help.

PS. I'm sure I sound like I'm totally ignorant and like I don't know what I'm getting into, but like I said I've got 6-12mo to research it, just trying to get a head start on my studying/money saving.

[llovelace]

Hello, and welcome to BP.net , I suggest reading throught all the sticky's in the husbandry forum, you will finds all the info you need.

P.S. many of us started out "I'm just getting one snake", it won't last.......TRUST me

[Sakayadream]

Why thank you quite muchly, I will definitely go have a looksee at those, it's just when you're new to a forum it sometimes seems too tedious to figure out where the stickies are that have what you need =]

And well.. if I decide I want another one or two or six I'll figure it out when I get there lol

[ed4281]

really since your saving and all just buy a bp rack you will need one in a year anyway

[BrianaK]

really since your saving and all just buy a bp rack you will need one in a year anyway

So true...

[truthsdeceit]

I hate searching for stickies too. plus for a first time owner it can be broken down into a few simple basics.

A 20 gal long (20"x12"x12") tank it's about $70 in a petstore for a good "reptile" tank. I always go with the reptile tank because the slide'n'lock lids are escape proof. ***Try searching your local craigslist/freecycle for a tank, I got most of mine on craigslist for under $20 each.***
Edit: you can start with a 10gal which is cheaper, but you might as well invest in a 20 gal that will fit your bp it's whole life.

A heat pad for a 10-20 gal tank. I like the ones by zilla (under tank heaters). About $18 bucks... I would buy this new.
When you buy it don't unstick the wax paper, instead use packing/duct tape ect to secure it to the bottom of your tank. That way you can remove it for cleaning or if you ever want to switch cages. ... If you stick it using the provided adhesive it won't come off without damaging the heating element. So go with ducttape.
Also leave the pad plugged in with the tank empty for at least an hour (don't add the snake yet) then stick your hand on the glass over the pad. Mine are fine, but some run hot, if you can't hold you hand in place for over a minute then tape a piece of cardboard between the pad and the tank to lower the glass temp. Wouldn't want to burn your snake.

Also invest in a digital therm and humidity monitor. You can pick up a simple one for under $15. I stick that on the hot side of my tank to check temps. The first couple days you can move it back and forth to make sure temps and humidity is good on both sides.

2 hides just a little bigger than your snake... this ones up to you. I use storage containers with 2 holes 'cut' using a saudering iron to eliminate sharp edges. But really anything will work. You need 2 identical ones, put one on the 'hot' side and one on the cold side so your new bp can thermoregulate his own body temp. Keep the monitor down on the bedding since bps are burrowers and will spend all their time on or under the bedding.

And a water bowl... you can start small. Big enough you can fill it half full and your snake can crawl all the way in without spilling water. Just make sure it's tip proof. Pyrex baking pans or ceramic dog bowls are my faves.

If you have trouble keeping humidity in, the best fix also happens to be cheap. Duct tape aluminum foil over 3/4+ of the tanks mesh lid. Don't worry about air flow, the bp will be fine with a small mesh opening.

And that's the basics. You don't need anything else, but I like to add decor ect...
Enjoy your first snake... and don't be shy round here!

[tomfromtheshade]

I would follow everyone else's advice and just build a rack.

You won't regret it.

[jlawson]

Even if you don't invest in a rack, a tub would do. Most people start out with a 16qt sterilite tub. I made the switch from a tank to a tub due to humidity issues...every shed has been perfect since. Use the search function to read up on tubs...if thats the route you want to take.

[OhhWatALoser]

tub will cost like 5 dollars and keep heat and humidity way better than a glass tank. plus you can use that tub in a rack system if you go that route later, the most expensive thing is a thermostat they range from 50-140ish dollars. heating you can get flexwatt for a few dollars and solder on a cord. water bowl and possibly, a hide. temp guns are pretty cheap 20+ dollars. bout all you need.

what left is the cost of the snake and the cost of the food