Budget friendly Ball Python cage ($60 set-up)

[tttaylorrr]

OP I'd say for future reference be a bit more mindful on how you present things. Your write up reads like a "how to" guide for new owners to follow your example. New members or anyone just browsing the forum could easily find what you wrote and take it as a legit walkthrough to follow which is why everyone was expressing their concerns with the incorrect and misleading info written.

Good point. I will be more mindful in the future when making posts. My goal was definitely not to tell experienced owners how to do it. I really just wanted to show what I had done, and I very much expected to receive criticism and constructive advice. I appreciate all the comments and feel wiser for having read these tips. I do not want to sacrifice efficiency for safety.

i agree with MissterDog. i did find it confusing that you seemed to present a guide for new owners, but the info was not correct. for new members/owners, we want to make sure they're getting the best information possible, so we needed to chime in a point out some of the mistakes you made.

no worries! i appreciate you being open to criticism and listening to our advice. all we want is for your pet to be healthy and happy.

[JodanOrNoDan]

that one looks awesome. much better than the ones i use.

Yeah, I looked at the ones you are using. The tops are too loose in the middle without the straps you mentioned. The top's on the hefties are super stiff. I have used them as stand alones and my racks are designed around them. The smaller ones make great tubs for smaller or young males and they are the same height as the bigger ones, so my racks can hold two of the 40's or three of the smaller ones in a row.

[tttaylorrr]

Yeah, I looked at the ones you are using. The tops are too loose in the middle without the straps you mentioned. The top's on the hefties are super stiff. I have used them as stand alones and my racks are designed around them. The smaller ones make great tubs for smaller or young males and they are the same height as the bigger ones, so my racks can hold two of the 40's or three of the smaller ones in a row.

that is awesome about them being the same height. i'm planning on either building or buying a rack very soon. i might make a target run after work...
thank you for sharing that link!

[SiXandSeven8ths]

This thread

[JodanOrNoDan]

This thread

I love these threads.

If the OP is open minded which this one is, they learn something.

Side conversations that emanating from the original topic also help to disperse information. Without this thread I couldn't have given Taylor the info on the Hefty tubs.

[MissterDog]

Yeah, I looked at the ones you are using. The tops are too loose in the middle without the straps you mentioned. The top's on the hefties are super stiff. I have used them as stand alones and my racks are designed around them. The smaller ones make great tubs for smaller or young males and they are the same height as the bigger ones, so my racks can hold two of the 40's or three of the smaller ones in a row.

Love Hefty! Currently I just have one to store things in but I was considering it as a potential tub set up for a second snake. I just wasn't sure if there was just enough wiggle space for an escape.

As an alternative, I have this tub brand (mine is 32 qts) reserved for a potential second snake.

https://www.target.com/p/sterilite-1...78#lnk=sametab

Ive been really digging it! Lids are super tight and snug and the larger tub sizes have latches on all sides! I have to use a lot of force to try and pry open the unlatched sides.

Weathertight is also another brand that has the same latch design

https://www.target.com/p/iris-62-qt-...7C51088776%7C4

Anyone else have experience with these?

[JodanOrNoDan]

Love Hefty! Currently I just have one to store things in but I was considering it as a potential tub set up for a second snake. I just wasn't sure if there was just enough wiggle space for an escape.

As an alternative, I have this tub brand (mine is 32 qts) reserved for a potential second snake.

https://www.target.com/p/sterilite-1...78#lnk=sametab

Ive been really digging it! Lids are super tight and snug and the larger tub sizes have latches on all sides! I have to use a lot of force to try and pry open the unlatched sides.

Weathertight is also another brand that has the same latch design

https://www.target.com/p/iris-62-qt-...7C51088776%7C4

Anyone else have experience with these?

Never tried those but the design looks solid. A combination of the way the top is molded combined with the latches is what you are looking for. If I can force my finger under the lid it is a no-go for me.

[wolfy-hound]

OP Caspar has been polite and has been responding with thoughtful posts to people who are giving good solid advice.

I think there's some confusion about the thermostat probe placement reasons.

You put the probe between the bottom and the pad. You set the thermostat based on the temps you measure inside the tub over the pad(using a thermometer). So your thermometer may show the temp (inside the tub) at the heatpad spot as say... 80F. You set the thermostat at 90F and wait a few minutes(up to an hour even) and then you measure the temp again(inside the tub with your digital thermometer) and see the temp is now 85F. Or maybe it's now 97F. You adjust the thermostat again, up or down as needed until the temp inside reads what it needs to be. So your thermostat will probably NOT be set to the temp number that you want inside the tub, see? But it will be set to the number that makes the temps the right number.

Make certain you measure the temps several times a day to make sure you are not getting heat spikes or drops too, or that the temp kept rising after you got it to the "right temp", or whatever. Once you get it dialed in, you shouldn't have to mess with it and you can just check the temp occasionally.

I hope this helps make it clear about where the probe goes and how the adjusting is done.

And yes, take out the hide with the duct tape. Ball pythons are like horses, they WILL find any method to injure themselves possible. They will rub against things to shed for instance, and roll that tape edge up and stick themselves to it. You can replace the mesh hide thing you have with any plastic bowl or tub(that isn't see-through) by cutting a entrance and then using a nail file(emory board) to take any sharp edges off the cut part. I still have cereal bowl hides I made for some of my first babies. They were Christmas ones I bought after Christmas, 4 bowls for $0.50 at the Family Dollar store, lol.