What kit is the best for a ball python

[Pyrate81]

He gave the list of everything in there but here is a link:

http://www.reptmart.com/p-2748-repti...-for-sale.aspx


Personally not a fan of kits as they give you a bunch of stuff you don't need, not the proper stuff, or not enough items in there that you actually do need.


If you make your "own" tank kit I suggest a list similar to this:

20L tank
UTH
Thermostat
Substrate(at your discretion, paper towels, aspen, cypress, etc)
water bowl(I use dog/cat water bowls cause they are bigger and cheaper)
2 hides
Thermometer/hygrometer (the accurite from walmart comes highly recommended)
tank clutter for security in the form of added plants or what you deem worthy(some use crumpled newspaper). As the bp grows, you can remove clutter.


Can another user recommend a "tub kit" as another option? And if I left anything out, feel free to add.


Man, I'm slow typist there have been like 5 other posts in the time it took me type this up. :shakes head:

[sho220]

Check Craigslist. People are selling complete setups all the time......some even come with a snake!! You'll save yourself money, and be able to afford additional items you'll need such as a thermostat, temperature gun, digital thermo/hygrometer, etc.

And a lot of times they'll even come with extras like mites, so make sure you get a can of PAM!!!

[iknowthetruth]

the list you gave pyrate seems to be similar to the one in the kit

[rocknhorse76]

Tank (20gal min.) and tank lid - Screen top is ok if you cover most of it with foil, plastic sheet, plexiglass, etc to keep heat and moisture in. An even better and more economical option is to use a clear plastic storage tub. You can increase the tub size as the snake grows. An adult BP can live its entire life in a 41qt tub. Drill holes in the sides of the tub near the top for ventilation. Tubs hold moisture great. The only drawback is that the room must be kept at about 78 degrees or so year round. A dome fixture and heat bulb can be used with a screen top if the room is too cool, but keep in mind that it will kill the humidity in the cage.

Under tank heater - Properly sized for your tank or tub

Thermostat - Hydrofarm is fine to start out with. http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...ords=hydrofarm

Digital Humidity Gauge/Thermometer - I got my Accurite gauge at Walmart for $8.94

Properly sized hides for both cool and warm sides

Water bowl

Substrate material - I prefer cypress mulch because it looks good and holds humidity well, but there are many other options out there. Avoid Pine, cedar, or fir as they are harmful to a reptile.

Infrared heat gun- You can find these at Petco or Petsmart pretty cheap. Home Depot and Lowes carry them as well.

[rocknhorse76]

And a lot of times they'll even come with extras like mites, so make sure you get a can of PAM!!!

LOL this is very true!

[Pyrate81]

the list you gave pyrate seems to be similar to the one in the kit

They are very similar. The kit leaves out stuff you will actually need like the second hide, digital thermometer, and thermostat. Dome lights are typically optional for increasing ambient temps using a CHE or infrared bulb.

Rockinhorse added some details.

[rocknhorse76]

They are very similar. The kit leaves out stuff you will actually need like the second hide, digital thermometer, and thermostat. Dome lights are typically optional for increasing ambient temps using a CHE or infrared bulb.

Rockinhorse added some details.

If you go with a tub, you can get everything you need on my list for less than the cost of that kit. You'd still have to buy the thermo/hygro, thermostat, and heat gun after buying the kit.

Oh, and definitely go with a crock pet dish for the water bowl. You can get one for a couple bucks at Target or Walmart.

[iknowthetruth]

the kit said it came with a repto reptile thermometer, are these ones I should avoid using?

[Pyrate81]

Analog thermometers typically are not trusted. Digital thermometers are the norm and temp/IR guns are highly recommended.

Case in point analog vs digital:

When I got my first bp and he went on feed strike, I was using an analog thermometer and hygrometer that were reading 85ish degrees F and 60% humidity respectively. After I got my accurite thermometer, I found the temp was actually in the mid-high 70s with the humidity hovering around 40% even with a 125 gallon fish tank less than 10 feet away. I warmed him up with a 40w infrared bulb for the winter and started spraying the tank down; within 1 month he started eating again.

[Inarikins]

He gave the list of everything in there but here is a link:

http://www.reptmart.com/p-2748-repti...-for-sale.aspx


Personally not a fan of kits as they give you a bunch of stuff you don't need, not the proper stuff, or not enough items in there that you actually do need.


If you make your "own" tank kit I suggest a list similar to this:

20L tank
UTH
Thermostat
Substrate(at your discretion, paper towels, aspen, cypress, etc)
water bowl(I use dog/cat water bowls cause they are bigger and cheaper)
2 hides
Thermometer/hygrometer (the accurite from walmart comes highly recommended)
tank clutter for security in the form of added plants or what you deem worthy(some use crumpled newspaper). As the bp grows, you can remove clutter.


Can another user recommend a "tub kit" as another option? And if I left anything out, feel free to add.


Man, I'm slow typist there have been like 5 other posts in the time it took me type this up. :shakes head:

Tubs can have the same setup, but you might not need as much clutter, depending on the snake and the size of the tub. I put a 100g hatchling in a 32 qt tub with two cereal bowl hides, a water bowl, and that was it and he had no problems eating.