rack system?

[SnowShredder]

I've read several threads but I feel like I need to make my own. So when I got into snakes I started out with boas, and got all boaphile caging for them. I know I'm going to get more snakes, and was wanting to get a rack system.
The only problem is my girlfriend doesn't like the smaller cage space. Our balls are currently in 2x2x1, and I know they can thrive in a small tub but are they really happy? I mean, I know they can live and get fat and do well, but is it really what's best? Tons and tons of herpers use them so I'm sure its for good reason. I just need to tell my girlfriend something.
I'm considering getting a boaphile ball room rack. Any opinions on that? I've had good experience with my other boaphiles, and would like to keep the same "look" in my snake room. Any suggestions would be great though. The room is kept at a constant 72 if anyone is curious (saw mentions of room temps in other threads).
I'm also not worried about how long the rack would take to arrive.
I wish enclosures weren't so spendy! One thing I really like with boaphile plastics is that everything comes installed and ready to go, literally right out of the box. Please tell me your experience with the ball room rack
Thank you

[Kaorte]

I don't have a rack from boaphile, but I do have a few cages, which I love. I don't use them for ball pythons though.

I keep all my adults in 41qt tubs which is a TON of space for even my biggest female. Ball pythons are very shy animals and in nature, they will seek out a cramped termite mound or a rodent burrow and spend most of their time in this place because that is where they feel safe. If they feel safe, they are less likely to go off feed. So while a nice big enclosure might seem like you are doing the snake a favor, it might actually be upsetting for them to have all this empty space. You have some options. You can clutter up the big cage with pieces of wood, fake plants, etc etc. Or you can get a smaller enclosure with a simpler setup. Most people choose the latter simply because a smaller enclosure takes up less space, and is easier to clean. Especially when you don't have to disinfect a huge cage and all the accessories inside. It can be a huge pain in the butt.

Are the snakes happier in a tub as opposed to a cage? hard to say. I'd say they are probably about the same

[SnowShredder]

Having a large cage is a pain in the butt to clean, I've only kept the balls in the 2x2x1 boaphiles because that's what I had off hand, but I'm definitely considering going to a rack system because of the reasons you stated. I think my girlfriend will be happy to hear that naturally they like smaller spaces, I hope she goes for it. I actually needed to move on of the baby balls into a tub last night and her baby is the bumblebee we have and when I mentioned I need to move one of them and she says "you aren't downsizing my baby!!" haha so maybe my snakes will move into a rack system and hers can keep the 2x2's

[Annarose15]

Having a large cage is a pain in the butt to clean, I've only kept the balls in the 2x2x1 boaphiles because that's what I had off hand, but I'm definitely considering going to a rack system because of the reasons you stated. I think my girlfriend will be happy to hear that naturally they like smaller spaces, I hope she goes for it. I actually needed to move on of the baby balls into a tub last night and her baby is the bumblebee we have and when I mentioned I need to move one of them and she says "you aren't downsizing my baby!!" haha so maybe my snakes will move into a rack system and hers can keep the 2x2's

Tell her she can keep anything she wants in the 2x2s as long as she's cleaning them. Since BPs are mostly terrestrial, the floor space of the tub is what matters. Most cages have wasted headspace relative to what BPs need.

[SnowShredder]

That's what I was thinking too, that the boaphiles I have are wasted head space. Even my boas don't need that much

[dillan2020]

They sell bigger bins then 41qt too. just because everyone else uses the 41s doesn't mean you have to. you could make your own rack and use any size bin you like. maybe look around online and find a bin that you both would feel comfortable housing your snakes in. then build a rack to fit them.