new member with some enclosure questions.

[jamie78]

I just came across this site and after reading some of the care guidelines I am starting to rethink my current enclosures for my Ball Pythons I've had my snakes close to 15 years, one from a hatching and have always thought I had a good cage set up but from my readings I seem to be doing it all wrong. My snakes are full grown I would assume due to their age, both over 4 foot. One is in a 90 gallon glass tank and the other is in a 75 gallon, both have screen lids with basking heat lights on top. I use aspen bedding, only one hide that now I know is way to big and offer a large water bowl to soak even though I've never seen one actually soak in it. I have a hard time with temps, It's hard to get the tank over 80 degrees except right under the basking lights. analog gauge...oops.

My new set up I'm thinking of would be to reduce both snakes down to a 40 breeder each, even though that seems small to me. dual matching hides, a large pet bowl for water(no more soaking size bowl) An under tank heater with maybe a 60 watt basking heat light ( it's cold in my old house) and of course a new digital thermometer like the accurite ones mentioned all over this site.

Thoughts, actions, opinions, recommendations, good jokes?

[swansonbb]

I think you're on the right path. Make sure you have a thermostat or table top lamp dimmer to control the UTH. If you use the lamp dimmer you'll need an infrared temp gun to make sure your hot spot is at the right temp.

Also, search this forum for he modification to the screen top. Basically, you'll cover the entire screen top with three sheets of aluminum foil (shiny side down), cover that with duct tape, then cut a hole large enough for your lamp. It will help you maintain better ambient air temps and keep your humidity up. I think it's fine to keep using the big water bowl, which will help you with humidity as well. Ball pythons don't typically soak.. often when they do it's a sign of mites.

It's awesome that you're so willng to make changes after keeping them for so long. Welcome to bp.net!

[jamie78]

So the 40 breeder tank would be a good size for adult balls? Better than the larger 90 and 75 gallons I have now? I just want to be sure they have plenty of room and with to hides and a large water bowl it feels like they would be camped. I do have limbs and rocks they climb so I guess that adds surface area..haha. The 40 gallon tanks would be a nice change though due to saving a ton of room in the house. I will be looking at UTH, which one is best recommended for a self stick style?. The foil mod for the lids will be no problem, I work for Reynolds Aluminum and have tons of that crap around the house

[PitOnTheProwl]

So the 40 breeder tank would be a good size for adult balls?

Most of us keep in racks and the largest tub used is about 41qt, that is less floor space than a 40gal.
Also you can black out both sides and the back to give them a little more secure feel.

[swansonbb]

I think a 40 gallon breeder is perfect. Roughly the same floor space as a 41qt tub. It's plenty of room.

Now you just need to find something to put in the old tanks.

[hypnotixdmp]

Tubs!!!! Use tubs!!! Tubs hold heat and humidity very very well compared to tank with screen lid. I have all my baby boas in locking lid tubs from Walmart, if you decide to go that route, make sure you get sterilite and not the cheaper brands!!!!


0.3 Normals (Coilette, Athena and Mary Jane)
1.0 Pastel (De Sol)
1.0 Spider (Zeus)
1.0 Mojave (Prometheus)

0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Stella)
0.1 BCI (Kiyoko)
0.1 Dumerils Boa

[dav4]

I just came across this site and after reading some of the care guidelines I am starting to rethink my current enclosures for my Ball Pythons I've had my snakes close to 15 years, one from a hatching and have always thought I had a good cage set up but from my readings I seem to be doing it all wrong. My snakes are full grown I would assume due to their age, both over 4 foot. One is in a 90 gallon glass tank and the other is in a 75 gallon, both have screen lids with basking heat lights on top. I use aspen bedding, only one hide that now I know is way to big and offer a large water bowl to soak even though I've never seen one actually soak in it. I have a hard time with temps, It's hard to get the tank over 80 degrees except right under the basking lights. analog gauge...oops.

My new set up I'm thinking of would be to reduce both snakes down to a 40 breeder each, even though that seems small to me. dual matching hides, a large pet bowl for water(no more soaking size bowl) An under tank heater with maybe a 60 watt basking heat light ( it's cold in my old house) and of course a new digital thermometer like the accurite ones mentioned all over this site.

Thoughts, actions, opinions, recommendations, good jokes?

This is interesting to me. You assume you're doing it all wrong, and yet you've had these snakes for almost 15 years. I'm wondering how long you've had these two set-ups running, and whether you've had any health issues with your snakes over the years. Certainly, there are ideals with the husbandry of any captive exotic animal, but there's always more then one way to skin a cat. Honestly, you MUST be doing something right.

[JeRMz]

Foil or Plexiglass on your screen top. I use plexiglass and will bet you $100 it holds humidity just as well as leftover containers...er..tubs!

[PitOnTheProwl]

Foil or Plexiglass on your screen top. I use plexiglass and will bet you $100 it holds humidity just as well as leftover containers...er..tubs!

It does work well, almost too well BUT let me know how it works out for you when you have 30+

[JeRMz]

It does work well, almost too well BUT let me know how it works out for you when you have 30+

You make a good point, but the guy said he only has had 2 snakes for years. Any more than that, tubs/rack makes sense.