Tanks/tubs

[The Serpent Merchant]

not to high jack but Serpent can you link where you got those!!!

http://www.animalplastics.com/
The top cage in this picture is a T8, the bottom cage is a T12

The T8 is 48" x 24" x 12" (L x W x H) and the T12 is 48" x 24" x 24"



The cages are sitting on the 8" stand sold by AP

For more info on these cages check out this thread:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

[The Serpent Merchant]

Ok I'm starting to understand this now lol your I'm still curious to see everyone's tubs and cages but I think I like how aspen looks

Yes, aspen looks good, but it does have some issues (as all substrates do)

My issue with aspen is that it is a mess (especially if you have a 4' x 2' cage... that is a lot of wood shavings)

I prefer paper because once the snake gets it dirty you throw away the paper, spray the can with some disinfectant (I use Chlorhexidine ) Put in a new sheet of paper and your done.

Ultimately the choice is up to you... you have to find the right combination of caging/ substrate/heating methods/ cage decor that produces the best environment for your snake. I've showed you what works for me... many people on this site use a very different set up but it works for them. All that matters is that you have a thermal gradient with a hot side between 88-92 degrees, a cool side between 78-82 degrees. 40%-60% humidity (60%-80% during shed) and hides to provide security. Keep all that clean/sanitized and you are golden.

[Quantum Constrictors]

Ok I'm starting to understand this now lol your I'm still curious to see everyone's tubs and cages but I think I like how aspen looks

When I started keeping snakes I liked aspen as well. Until my snake ingested the bedding. After that I said NO WAY! So I switched to paper towel. Paper towel is superior to everything for bedding in my eyes.

Aspen shavings not only are a choking hazard (yes I have heard stories of peoples snake choking and having to put their fingers down its mouth to get the shavings out) and if they do not choke they can cause impaction if enough are digested.

Aspen in my eyes also doesnt transfer heat as well as paper towels. Paper towels are also 1000x easier to clean. When I was using aspen I couldnt find snake poops anywhere. With paper towel its really obvious.

There are way more pluses to using paper towel. Trust me on this. Use paper towel its just safer

[Xeperxi]

I agree paper towel is what I use and is the best IMO at least for my needs. Aspen does not hold humidity well at all, I mostly keep bloods and aspen doesn't cut it. I love paper towel or carpenters paper, if a substrate is needed I would only go with cypress being cypress does hold humidity well but still, paper towel to me is the best.

[Newkid14]

Could I use tile cause I know for my beardie I use tile ?????

[kitedemon]

Tile can be used but it is very hard to heat through. Remember the temp range for ball pythons is a lot more fussy. A few I know have done so but with limited success due to the heating issues.

I would avoid paper towel for all but the smallest snakes. Ingestion of paper towel is often fatal and cannot be digested. There is no perfect substrate I am not a fan of wood chip substrates myself and personally choose coco coir but wood chip ingestion although not ideal is not likely to kill the snake.



Enclosure type is a personal preference any type can work and work very well. There are trends in certain areas here tubs are a trend. I don't think they are better or worse than any other just different. They sometimes have too little ventilation and that can lead to respiratory problems.

[Slim]

Once you go rack, you'll never go back

[Newkid14]

Yeah of I could convince my mom to let one snake I would be shocked but it wouldn't be till we move anyway but I just want to get all my research done cause I'm debating on a snake and a second beardie but what was that picture above a snake eating or puking up ......

[kitedemon]

regurgitating, it sadly it died. A rack for a single snake is serious overkill. My biggest bit of advise is research and trial see if you can hold the correct temps and plan how you will do that. The warm side is easy pad and thermostat and basically it is done it is the cool and ambient air temps that are the hard ones. Racks for example are almost always kept in rooms that are heated to 80º. Not very practical for one animal. If you have a normal room temp (60s) I would second Aaron's a pvc enclosure will hold heat better than any other. Tubs being the worst at holding temps and tanks in the middle. I still use tanks, I have a single tub and a rack as well as custom enclosures both bought and DIYs. I prefer the DIYs over all and bought next tanks after that and tubs and then the rack last. It saves space but is not very efficient otherwise.

The biggest problem with tanks is the open top. A variation on a theme... I still would suggest a pvc type enclosure but this would be the next best thing to it.
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...arium-Solution

[Rob]

A rack for a single snake is serious overkill.]

9 times out of ten someone into Bps are going to end up keeping more then one.

Racks are simple, easy to maintain and space efficient.