What are some things you wish you knew before getting your first?

[Velrys]

I wish i know how addictive these little noodles were before i got my first

Holy crap thats the truth i went from 1 to 11 in 10 months when i started.

I am in the same boat that others seem to be in where i have some empty tanks now and a lot of cheap gear i dont need... However i like being able to see the animals and I think the enclosure is cool even though i cant put any live plants inside though i would love to. Racks are great but if you want to see your animals more often than when you handle with them/deal with their cage tanks are helpful.

So...

DONT buy a cheapo thermostat. Get a good one, there are plenty of suggestions on this website but the herpstat from spyder robotics seems to be a favorite.

A tank is cool, you will need plexiglass or a towel for the budget hobbiest to close off the screeen to keep humidity up.
** also if you are buying a baby and you dont want to buy another tank you can get a 40g (which is the largest you will ever need) and clutter it up with stuff like wood or other "decorations" to keep it comfortable until it grows up.

DONT buy a bulb, get a UTH (under thank heater) it should cover a quarter to a third of the bottom of the tank.

Balls dont tend to be climbers but mine always interact with the wood that i got back in the way and its better than having a bare tank. And they can help clutter the tank if needed.

Get 2 hides one on the UTH one on the cold side

A water dish that can hold the entire animal... so get a larger one, it will grow quickly particularly the first year...

Aspen bedding is the way to go...

Most importantly, starting looking at rack systems. When you get your next, and you will youll want to start putting them in a rack, everyone is right, its way easier to manage a rack.

[DooLittle]

Yup, I'm on the should have gone straight to a tub/rack instead of a stupid fish aquarium train. Cheaper, easier to clean, holds humidity perfect, takes up less space, just more efficient all the way around.

[norwegn113]

Yup, I'm on the should have gone straight to a tub/rack instead of a stupid fish aquarium train. Cheaper, easier to clean, holds humidity perfect, takes up less space, just more efficient all the way around.

I agree with you on all points but unless your a breeder with large numbers, display cages are so nice to be able to walk by and see all your animals, ( thats when they are not tucked away in their hides, which is most of the time! ) To me rack systems for people with just a few snakes is like having a diamond necklace that you keep in a drawer that only comes out for special occasions. JMO.

[alykoz]

I got a semi clear tub. I can still see in but it's not as stressful for her I think.

[Bluebonnet Herp]

I wish I knew about vision racks. The ease of a rack system with the visibility of an aquarium. Only the price of gold though.

[brock lesser]

One of the biggest things I wish I would have done is loaded up my females instead of buying the males first,
drives you crazy when your boys are ready to go and your females are sitting at 800 grams and then they refuse to eat for a few months !
Thats a little stressful.

[Marrissa]

I wish I knew that I wouldn't be stopping with one. I wish I knew that I would quickly want to breed ball pythons and I should of started with a female instead of a male. I got a male since he'd be smaller than a female. Then a week after having him and finding this forum I was like "I need more." Oh well I'll get a blue eyed leucistic female for him when I become a nurse and get jigsaw babies.

[DooLittle]

I agree with you on all points but unless your a breeder with large numbers, display cages are so nice to be able to walk by and see all your animals, ( thats when they are not tucked away in their hides, which is most of the time! ) To me rack systems for people with just a few snakes is like having a diamond necklace that you keep in a drawer that only comes out for special occasions. JMO.

My boas and gtp have display set ups. Not the balls. Balls aren't good display animals, imo. They are always in their hides. Unless you like the look of RBI hides, lol. :p

[beandog]

Wow, thanks for all the responses guys, this is helpful!

Two major things I took away so far: get a tub, and get ready to want more than one.

When you guys say to not get a tank, does that mean a terrarium enclosure as well, like the Exo Terra ones?

[SnowShredder]

Wow, thanks for all the responses guys, this is helpful!

Two major things I took away so far: get a tub, and get ready to want more than one.

When you guys say to not get a tank, does that mean a terrarium enclosure as well, like the Exo Terra ones?

Yes. Tank = pretty much any glass enclosure. People successfully keep BPs in these but it is a lot more of a headache