I've been on this forum for a little over a month, and would like to thank everyone for their advice and instructions.
I have my eye set on one of two ball pythons that I've been observing at pet shops for the past three months. The facilities at both stores are all well taken care of. The cages are all clean and free of feces and mites, none of the animals that I've handled have any evidence of malnourishment, infection, bad shed, or improper care. The two animals that I am considering are:
An unsexed two year old snake that is somewhere between 2 1/2 and 3 feet long. It is being fed live small rats.
An unsexed snake that appears to be less than a year old, less than a foot and a half long, who is being fed frozen thawed rats and mice.
I intend on using f/t feeders with whichever animal that I get, and I have enclosures sized for either one. Which animal would you guys recommend?

I'm quite sure that I have most of what I need, but here's my supply list, and I would appreciate it very much if someone with experience would look over this and make suggestions for items that I've left out, or need improvement.
I have:
An HDE Infrared Thermometer
A Hydrofarm Digital Heat Mat Thermostat (to be upgraded to a proportional thermo when I can afford it)
A 30 gallon standard glass aquarium
A 55 gallon long glass aquarium
A 33'' long x 16'' wide x 6'' tall locking lid plastic tub
22'' of 11'' wide Flexwatt heat tape
Aspen bedding
Newspaper bedding
Sphagnum Moss and washcloths for shedding aids (I grow sphagnum, so if anyone wants some, I'd be glad to give some away)
I need to find suitable hides (I'm thinking of cheap plastic litter boxes), a water bowl, a humidity gauge, PAM, and a stock of frozen feeders. Is there anything else that you guys can think of? I'll delay getting my snake until I have everything up and running.
Thanks!