A Few Questions From A New Ball Python Owner...Please Read

[Bdubedub]

Thanks guys again for all your help! I just want to do this right... not pay $300 for a snake and have it suffer or die.

[purplemuffin]

Well, it's certainly big enough. Some would argue that's too big for a ball python, but I say as long as you have proper hides, maintain perfect temps and humidity, and maybe even add a few extra hides/foliage in the 'bare' looking areas, a bigger tank is fine. In the wild they may live in burrows but those burrows are not encased in a glass box, so I think a ball python would be fine. Some may get stressed in a cage that size, but mine never has been.


But get a digital thermometer to make sure your temps are right! I don't trust the gauges!

[Bdubedub]

I have a temp gun that Ive always used for temps... its very accurate.. .5 in degrees real good.

[Bdubedub]

So bulb or che for night time? And moss hide or no? And water hide? Id like to have that to help save the wood on the tank.

[purplemuffin]

Tips for humidity: Put a LARGE water bowl on the hot side of the enclosure. Water will evaporate and create humidity. Cover the screen top, you already have side ventilation, all the heat and humidity will leave out the top if it's open. Spray the enclosure occassionally. You should be golden after that.

Same goes for heat! See, I don't know the exact size because it depends on a lot of variables! You might have to try some different things and take back what doesn't work. Honestly a big uth that is underneath tile would be great, and with a good thermostat you can change the temps if it gets too hot!

Edit: With a cage your size the CHE might help at night. No bulb, they need a day/night cycle.

You don't need a moss hide, but some people just put the moss in one of their hides during shed, or even moist paper towels.

[Bdubedub]

So a 8x18 zoomed heat pad.... take linoleum and place it over the uth and get a thermostat... I dont really want an open water container on the warm side..I wont have any room for a hide and risk the chance of spillage.

[Bdubedub]

Will this work for a hide?

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CCoQ8wIwAg#

[Vypyrz]

For a floor area that large I would say the smallest UTH you should use is a 11" X 17" but being such a large tank, a 11" X 23" would probably do you better. Most pet shops will usually have 11 X 17's in stock or you can order both sizes from Reptile Basics:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm-heat-pads/

I wouldn't worry about humid hides and sphagnum moss just yet. I would start off with just a large water bowl and see what the humidity does and work from there.
I've never set up a tank that tall so I'm not sure of what wattage CHE you should use, but I would suggest using a rheostat or dimmer on that as well so you can adjust it if needed. I would position it closer to the warm side, but no further over than the center to start off with. With a tank that tall, you are going to have to tweak, adjust, and try different things until you get everything running right. Since it is a long tank, you may even have to go with a heat lamp or CHE on both ends. That's why I say start with the minimum equipment and set-up and add extra pieces as needed. That way, you don't end up buying a bunch of stuff that you don't need...

[Maverick67]

I might suggest using coconut husk as a substrate. It is great for humidity control. A uth would be good with tile or slate over it and under the substrate. if you are worried about water bowl spillage get something heavy. I have a ceramic water dish that my 4 ft bp cant knock over. If there is spillage coconut husk will absorb it right away and keep it off of the wood.

[PitOnTheProwl]

2 foot of 11" flexwatt should work great but I wouldnt use coco on a wood bottom enclosure. Just because it will find any small crack in the laminate and soak through.