Plastic or Glass?

[SnakeKB]

I have my bp in a 20 gallon aquarium right now but its too small and seeing petco has a sale on aquariums, i was looking into getting a 40 gallon breeder tank or i also have a 91qt plastic container that i can use too. The snake is in a temp controlled room specifically for him so temps arent a problem. Which would you prefer to use? I like the look of the aquarium because it shows off the snake and looks nice when its decorated nicely. But the plastic container is so much easier to clean and its fairly see through so it can be decorated as well. Let me know your opinion everyone.

Also one more question, Would the bp feel more secure if the glass was tinted a darker yet still see through black?

[chris4554]

I would say its mostly personal preference. I like using a tank so I can see my snake but many people use tubs, they save space too.

You can just put something around three sides of the tank to make it feel more secure. Petco probably sales an aquarium background that you can glue to the tank and it looks pretty nice.

[mommanessy247]

i have a 30" x 12" x 12" glass visionarium right now for the 1 snake im getting this year. i got it from creativepet.com for $79.99 + $30+ s & h. i know ouch, huh? when i get my other 2 bp's i'll be switching to 36" plastic npi cages from npicages.com but possibly 41 qt tubs if those dont work out.

[SnakeKB]

I went to go get a aquarium today and petco was sold out. I hope they get more in before the sale is over. My snake really needs a larger setup. Also Petco has Ball Pythons on sale for 29.99 for petco members. Im gonna make a rack setup this week and get me one before the sale ends on the 17th.

[Kaorte]

Fish tanks are for fish.

If you want a nice enclosure for your snake, get a reptile enclosure. Boaphile and animal plastics have nice cages for good prices.

I don't know how big your snake is, but a 40g breeder is too big for a ball python. Maybe a particularly large (3,000g+) female would be comfortable in there but that is about it.

Also a 91qt tub is complete overkill. A 2000g+ female fits comfortably in a 41qt bin.

I personally like plastic bins for my ball pythons. They are shy secretive snakes that rarely just move around the tank. So basically, putting them in a nicely decorated tank is useless since they rarely move.

[SnakeKB]

The 40qt and 90qt sterilite containers are the same floor space with the only difference is height. 6" compared to 12" in height. My snake is around 30" long and 390 grams. Hes small for his size but doesnt ever come out of his heated hide spot except to eat and drink. Maybe thats normal but i would like a setup about 6-8" longer so i can have a hide on the cool and warm side and the water bowl in the center. I was gonna plan on putting in fake branches and plants in there to give a good look and maybe the snake would feel better coming out and roaming a bit since there would be more cover in the tank.

[Kaorte]

The 40qt and 90qt sterilite containers are the same floor space with the only difference is height. 6" compared to 12" in height. My snake is around 30" long and 390 grams. Hes small for his size but doesnt ever come out of his heated hide spot except to eat and drink. Maybe thats normal but i would like a setup about 6-8" longer so i can have a hide on the cool and warm side and the water bowl in the center. I was gonna plan on putting in fake branches and plants in there to give a good look and maybe the snake would feel better coming out and roaming a bit since there would be more cover in the tank.

Well then why would you go with a 90qt over a 41qt? You don't need 12" of height. These are terrestrial snakes which means they do not climb.

Ball pythons are shy snakes that rarely leave their hides. It is completely normal to never see them out and about. They are happiest when they are hiding. A happy ball python is a hiding ball python. If your snake is out roaming or looking for an escape route then it is probably stressed. If you got this snake as a display animal, then I am sorry to say this but they are simply not display animals.

Two tight fitting hides and a small water bowl should be able to fit just fine in a 20g. I personally don't think there is any reason to upgrade. If anything, you will just stress the animal out.

At 390g that snake could still fit comfortably in a 10g. I have my snakes under 500g in 15qt tubs.

[SnakeKB]

I'll keep what I got and start on my rack setup for my breeders. Thanks guys.