New member, need some general info from OWNERS

[Derteufel]

Exactly Julian. Im not oppsed to either jut want whats best for the snake given my environment. And ya its not carrying it in because the elevators are large but its just a waste to keep bringing tanks up IF it not necessary. Just looking for the most efficeint way that also benefits the BP.

You guys are cool.

[ViciousBliss]

i've read through this thread and really the only advice i can give is make sure you can keep your temps and humidity correct at all times. i keep my one and only BP in my bedroom and my bedroom is about 85 degrees or hotter at all times... yikes yes it kinda sucks tryna sleep in the summer with that kind of heat but my snake is healthy and that's all that matters. it doesn't sound like the place you live is very friendly sounding for an animal that comes from africa, but that's just my opinion!

oh yes and i use a tank, and seeing as it's my one and only, i dont' see a problem with it, but if i had oodles of snakes, or had to go to extremes to keep temp/humidity correct, i'd probably go with a tub as well.

good luck

[Derteufel]

Im looking for opinions from owners. Feel free and thank you.

[Sonya610]

An idea for the OP, a lot of these people have multiple snakes. That can be quite a bit different than someone with ONE snake as their main pet, as single snake owners often want enclosures that are visually appealing (sweater boxes are not that appealing).

One thing you should maybe mention is how much you want to spend on this enclosure. There are some awesome enclosures out there, well designed and very attractive, but of course they can run into several hundred or thousands of dollars.

Do you want something that is good for your snake but also very visually appealing? Do you have a budget to work with?

[Derteufel]

Good question because its something I have thoguht out.

The snake isnt a toy or convo peice. I rarely let people into my place. Its decorated like a cemetary, even building a 10ft cemetary get to section off one of the 3 walled rooms. Point is...

Yes there is something about me that would like it to look a certain way because it makes me happy. The same way that if I see someone throw a container on the ground or just find it there I pick it up and throw it away. Though I try to do it to their face heh. Point is Ive got ideas how how id like it to look BUT this is a life and I want what is good for the snake first, if I can find a balance that is healthy for the snake then yay.

Several hundreds Im open to. I want to look at all my options up to several 100's and weigh them. Snakes health / cost. If cheap is healthy but not visually appealing then that it is. If I can get a cost effective semi nive to look at area that is good for the snake then thats it.

[Sonya610]

As stated I am new at this, but the cage that StarMom posted seems like a really good basic design. http://www.reptilebasics.com/2x3-Cag...h-p-16286.html

Solid walls and top, easy to regulate heat and humidity, drop front. I believe balls prefer solid walls for privacy, and it is less scary for them to be approached from the side (vs. a hand swooping down from the top). They prefer floor space over cage height. This is the type of cage style I plan to upgrade to when my baby BP is a bit older.

You can get creative regarding stands and tops or whatever to make it fit in with your lofts decor. If you search they have similar styles in wood etc...

[Derteufel]

Ya the shelf and keeping it off the ground will take care of itself. LoftLizard, others too like Argenta have given me broad spectrum of ideas. Im piecing them together and figuring out what works best for teh place I live in, for the BP. Im narrowing it down. The thermostats and UTH seem straight forward after a conatainer choice is made. My room is usually low lit though I open a curtain for sunlight at times but just a crack. So im feeling my way around. I dont want to do the trial and error method with a life. The noise is something I think will be my biggest hurdle.

[SatanicIntention]

I started out with one snake and kept her in tubs. First using dimmers for the heat pads and then went and bought a Herpstat 2 and some flexwatt.

For someone with ONE snake in a cold apartment, I'd recommend using small plastic tubs until the snake is old enough for a display cage.

You'll start out with a 15qt tub, then as the snake grows bump it up to a 32qt, then maybe a 41qt so they get used to the size, and then to a 3x2 or 4x2 plastic display cage. You still may have to insulate the display cage but it will at least look nicer in the end than a tank would.

Using a glass tank for this person's situation is not feasible. They are heavy, fragile, hard to keep properly heated, drafty, and the glass will always try to be the temperature of the room. I know I don't want my snake resting up against 50 degree glass. That's going to leach the heat out of the snake and cause illness.

All that is needed is a thermostat(digital not analog), flexwatt digital thermometer/hygrometer, small tub w/lid, bungee cords or binder clips, newspaper for bedding, 1-2 hides, water bowl, and possibly some foil tape so you can tape the flexwatt onto a shelf so it doesn't wiggle around. That's it!

[Derteufel]

Y aIm thinking some sort of cage, not glass, flexwatt, digi thermos, and 2 hides and the water. Ive got to nail the humidity and what to fil the cage with, not wood chips I know.

this is coming along.

[Bruce Whitehead]

I think you'll do great. The critical thing is understanding why people recommend what they do.

These are not arbitrary things being thrown out there.

Knowing the why makes the decisions easier to make.

I do think you are best to start with a tub, learn your husbandry, and then work up to a larger dispay.

I do not hate tanks and display vivs, but I do consider them to be in the area of "advanced husbandry" and sadly, most people start with them, and then spend several months trying to perfect their husbandry with the snake in the enclosure.

I think what you are doing is great. You figure out what you need and then you set it up, you let it run, and once it is stable, then you bring the snake home.

Most people find snake forums after they have the snake, and sadly often, after they start having problems.

It is a rare treat to get to talk with keepers that are still pre-snake.

Bruce

PS: If you ever leave me a message in a thead and I do not see it... feel free to PM me. I do not attend to the forum daily so sometimes the threads I am part of disappear before I get back.