Future breeder

[Voidstalker]

Hi there First off I am new to these forums so greetings everyone.

My name is Adam I live in the UK and my brother and I are looking to start breeding ball pythons. I have done alot of reading, purchased a couple of books namely Designer-Morphs, Volume One and the Ball Python Manual and have done much searching online. However I still have some things I would like stern advice on from fellow keepers/Breeders that also live in the UK. I am commited completely to the health and safety of the animals I intend to purchase and want to start right off by making my own racking system. I have researched various ways that others have done this but a very large percentage are in the USA. My base idea is building a rack system to fit a certain area that can house as many adequately sized tubs as possible. Now I am thinking lidless tubs with heat cable fitted into routed grooves in the shelves so the tubs rest on that and a thermostat aswell of course. Firstly and I may be jumping in at the deep end here so to speak I plan to get at least 17 snakes to start with. And if I can fit more than 17 tubs into the space I have it would be good (I will take measurements ASAP) So onto my questions and apologies if they have been answered elsewhere.

1) What type of wood to use? it obiously needs to handle the humidity.
2) If I wanted/needed to monitor temp and humidity should i do it for each individual tub or is there a way to do it for all at once.
3) And if any UK people read this what size tubs and where is a good place to buy them in bulk in general it seems 40 qt are good size.
4) If I buy my ball pythons as babies would it be wrong or stressful for them if I kept them in 40 qt adult size tubs until they grow into them or should I start them in smaller tubs and increase the size as they grow.

Those are the questions buzzing around in my noggin at the moment and I really appreciate any and all helpful information from anyone.
Many thanks in advance

Adam

[HighVoltageRoyals]

1. I'm going to assume you're referring to bedding? It really depends on your preference. I use Aspen Snake Bedding but you can use paper towels, newspapers and other wood shavings (NO PINE)

2. You do need to monitor temps and humidity and you'll want to do it for each individual tub. You can use a thermostat (recommended), plug all individual heat pads into it and set a temp for all of them but the humidity would have to be an individual tub thing I would guess. There are also other methods if you're going to be using a rack system (check out some of the useful rack tutorials floating around this forum).

3. Not UK, sorry

4. It wouldn't be wrong necessarily but it could potentially be stressful. You might want to get them a hide if you're going to be putting them into a large enclosure.

I hope that helped a bit! (And to other mems, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about something; I'm always open to learn as well)

[Kinra]

Welcome to the site!

1) What type of wood to use? it obiously needs to handle the humidity.
I personally use news paper and paper towels, but I might switch back to Aspen soon.
2) If I wanted/needed to monitor temp and humidity should i do it for each individual tub or is there a way to do it for all at once.
I use heat tape in a rack setup with a thermostat to control heat. A temp gun is great for making sure all of your tubs are within range. Humidity should be done per tub.
3) And if any UK people read this what size tubs and where is a good place to buy them in bulk in general it seems 40 qt are good size.

4) If I buy my ball pythons as babies would it be wrong or stressful for them if I kept them in 40 qt adult size tubs until they grow into them or should I start them in smaller tubs and increase the size as they grow.
I use 41qt tubs for most of my snakes, even the juvies, but I give them two hides, one on each side. I did have one that wasn't eating for me so I did move her to a smaller tub, but she still refused to eat for another 2 months after the move so I don't think it was because of the tub size. Starting them in smaller tubs might be cheaper originally AND you will have a smaller tub rack setup for babies you produce so it might not be a bad idea.

[PitOnTheProwl]

1) What type of wood to use? it obiously needs to handle the humidity.

Melamine if you are building your rack, you can also use MDF but it must be sealed

2) If I wanted/needed to monitor temp and humidity should i do it for each individual tub or is there a way to do it for all at once.

One thermostat will cover all your tubs AS long as you dont overload the max output. Humidity is a per tub thing

3) And if any UK people read this what size tubs and where is a good place to buy them in bulk in general it seems 40 qt are good size.

sorry Texas here

4) If I buy my ball pythons as babies would it be wrong or stressful for them if I kept them in 40 qt adult size tubs until they grow into them or should I start them in smaller tubs and increase the size as they grow.

If you are planning on breeding, you are going to want a couple racks anyway. I'm running 6.5 qt, 28 qt, and 41 qt

BTW

[Voidstalker]

I am still in the planning stages at the mo. Thanks for the welcome messages and advice so far it is much appreciated.

[RestlessRobie]

Welcome to the forum I am jsut starting out myself so thanks for the post