Tank Setup

[Vader6]

Ok I have looked and searched this place like no tomorrow. I was going to get two balls and put them in one tank but now im just sticking with two, so thanks for that. Now for the tank I just bought a 20 gallon long with locking lid (reptile style) from craiglist. Cleaned it out good with dish dertergent and water and washed it out with water again. After to get it nice and clean i used windex and now letting it dry so tom I can set up the tank for my new baby boy on Sat. I have:
-Aspen bedding (used for gerbils)
-10-20 gallon UTH
-Temp controller for UTH
-Over head lamp (infered and basking light)......for this I know some don't and some do but I keep my room cold at night and want this on to keep the amient temps normal. Plus it has a controller switch on it so I can keep heat on low to keep the humidity up.
-water bowl
-Climbing log
-2 digital thermometers
-Hygrometer and third thermometer (normal not digital)
-2 Identical hides
-Fake 6 foot vine to hide wires and add to the concealing factor

Now the set up will be as follows. UTH on one side with newspaper taped to cover it. (Just in case the snake burrows it won't get burned) One hide on this side with the digital therm in the hide. Water bowl and tree thing in the center. This is also where the reg therm and hygro will be to see middle temp and avg humidity. On the cool side the hide again symmetric to the other side with the second digital therm in the hide. Also the lamp will be on this side as well with a towel or blanket covering the hot side of the tank to help the humidity. Now I purchased something like this for the hides:
http://www.petco.com/product/109817/...t=SnakeHPDecor

BUT it has a closed back side so it's like a cave. I thought it looked cool and he could grow into it. Only prob I see is maybe it's to big for him now (4 months old, 76 grams). Now would it be ok just to raise the bedding around the hide to make the entrance smaller or use the fake vine plant to cover the opening? Also do I add bedding the hide to make it smaller inside?
Approx size would be like 7-8 inches long and 4-5 inches wide. And the mouth is like 3 inches tall.

Last question, I saw somewhere that it is good to have moss in the cave to aid in shedding like spray it to keep it moist. Now can I add a small cave for him with moss in it all the time? Just in shedding? In the hide? Or is it even necessary if the humidity is right (which is what im thinking).

Thanks for all the advice and answers!!

Also here are some pics of NAGA (means snake or serpent Buddist mythology)

[Boanerges]

I would put the uth under the tank and not in it. I would use tinfoil to cover the screen and not a towel. Ball pythons like tight fitting hides. Your hides might be too open. If your determined to use them then you will just need to see how he/she acts. Be careful with the vines as I have seen ball pythons get stuck in them. If your humidity is right you should not need moss in the cave. I would pick up a temp gun to measure your surface temps

[Vader6]

^Yea the UTH goes under the tank and the newspaper on top of the glass under the bedding. Would the digital therm not be good indicators of the surface temps if not ill get another therm and put it in the bedding.
Im not determined to use them I have the reciept so no big deal. I just liked the way they looked any recommendations on what size and what to use. I would like it to look nice! =)
And alright I'll see how it does with the vines but if he's a clumpsy one I'll move them to the side or out of the tank.

[Boanerges]

The thermometer you have with a probe is mainly for air temps. A temp gun will read the surface temps accurately. I am not sure where you live but I just got a mini temp gun from there on sale for $7 at harbor freight. I have a pro exotics temp gun but I use it so much I bought a second one. For a ball python the size of the one you have I would recommend using two flower pot saucers (that is what I use) but if you want something fancy then I am not sure what you could use (sorry).

[Kaorte]

Ok, you mentioned taping down the newspaper. Whatever you do, do not put ANY tape in the enclosure with the snake. They will find a way to stick themselves to it and it is a pain to get off.

What exactly are you using to control the UTH? You should have a reptile thermostat or a dimmer at least.

I would also recommend smaller hides. Just go to the dollar store and pick up some plastic bowls and cut a hole in the side. The hides you linked are pretty open and pretty big for such a small snake. Being in a 20g as a baby will be stressful enough for the little one. You need to have tiny hides.

Make sure you put at least one probe right over the UTH on the glass under the newspaper. That way you get a reading of the hottest point in the tank. This should not exceed 95*F.

It might be a good idea to cover the back and sides of the tank with dark paper or foam core board. It helps to hold in the temps and makes the snake feel a bit safer.

I wouldn't recommend putting a towel on top of the cage. Get some aluminum foil tape and put that on the outside of the screen so it covers about 3/4ths of the lid.

If you are having problems with humidity during a shed cycle, you can add an extra humid hide. Most people will just get a cheap Tupperware container and cut an opening and shove some damp moss in it. Just make sure to change out the moss or re hydrate it every few days.

hope this helps! That is a very pretty snake.

[Vader6]

Well looks im going back to Petsmart to find new hides or get my money back to get some new ones.
I'm controlling the UTH with a Repti-temp Rheostat and the lamp has a dimmer on it. So I have full control of the temps in my tank.
Ill wrap that side of the lid in Tin foil.
Ill look into a heat gun.
Thanks!!! Happy Holiday's as well!!

[Vader6]

Also I was just looking at tank set up and some ppl have HUGE water bowls. Mines 1" deep and 5" long x 3" wide. How big he is now im sure he could soak in that if need be but do i need a bigger bowl?? Like should I get one jsut incase I need to add more water but if not I can just lessen the amount?

[Kaorte]

No, there is no need for a huge bowl. Ball pythons don't normally soak, if they do its usually because something is wrong.

[Vader6]

^^Sweet one less thing I have to worry about. lol
Here are some hides I found. Looks like if I wanna spend some cash I can get 2 dank ass hides for 40 bucks, this one:
http://www.petco.com/product/15053/Z...1%20Cave-15053
Or go the cheap way out with these, or the Lowe's special:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/small-hide-box.html

The thing is though you guys have don't such a good job raises your BP's and they are not stressed or anything and you guys just use stuff like the second one for hides. I just think to myself is the plastic ones that don't look as good, actually better for the snake. Truthfully if the snake will be happier with the cheap one then that's that I'll get them.