Ball Python Help

[Lewis]

I am buying a ball python after i get all this stuff setup. I have aspen substrate and water bowl and hides. I am going to make a tank out of plywood with glass front any tips or info i should know? I am going to seal the wood and can i put a zilla night light 100w inside? And is 3x2x2 a good size? Thanks!

[VEXER19]

And for heat? A tank that size better come with a good heat/humidity plan.

Plus make sure the sealent is non-toxic.

[Lewis]

I ment a zilla heat dark light. And help on how to heat it? and should i change the size

[coldbloodaddict]

Radiant heat panel is really your only option.

IMO wood cages suck! You should look into buying a cage...Much more user friendly!

http://www.animalplastics.com/

[VEXER19]

Personally I would use UTH for that size of tank. And add RHP later if needed for a hot spot and ambient temps. I'm not familiar with the bulb since I don't use them but when I move back to california in a week after 5 years in the Navy I'm going to finish my 4x3x2 tank and that was my plan for heat. Make sure you build a vent too for airflow. Humidity I'm using a humidifier hooked up and ran through pvc piping out to 3 vents. More for looks than humidity but a big enough water source should be fine for that portion.

[Lewis]

Would a UTH work with plywood?

[VEXER19]

Would a UTH work with plywood?

Depends on the thickness. But its just to heat the floor of the tank where your ball spends most of its time and that's why I said to add RHP too if needed.

[Lewis]

Its 1/4 and is that a good size?Snake might be a couple months old

[VEXER19]

Its 1/4 and is that a good size?Snake might be a couple months old

Honestly its huge. Especially for a snake that size. I know mine is bigger but the bigger it is the more you have to put in it. I just hope you understand the money behind building and filling your own tank that size. A BP needs much shelter and hiding ability as possible to feel secure. Especially one as small as your taking about. You will have to make that tank packed full of hides, plants, vines and etc.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I am surprised that nobody has said this yet... You absolutely cannot put a heat lamp inside a enclosure. A ball Python will eventually find its way to it and get badly burned.

I second the recommendation for just purchasing a enclosure from Animal Plastics. I have 4 of their T8 (4'x2'x1') enclosures for my ball Pythons. The are great, they hold in heat and humidity really well, and when ordered with the Flexwatt heating option all you need is a thermostat and then you are good to go.

I get them with a divider, and keep hatchling ball pythons in half of one T8 until they hit 500 grams. I then remove the divider and let them have the whole cage. So far their has worked out great.

If you are bent on building your own I would see if you could make it from PVC or Plexiglass. this will make your life much easier. Also 3'x2'x2' isn't the best, it is too tall. Ball Pythons do not need height as they stay on the ground most of the time. a 3'x2'x1' or a 4'x2'x1' would be much better.