A similar thread regarding lighting and racks from last week: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ght=rack+light

TL;DR: Lights are not necessary for BPs.

As far as what people prefer, it tends to be dependent on the size of your collection (and the size of your wallet ). Many people with smaller collections prefer to have display-style cages - aquariums, Animal Plastics displays, etc. For those with larger collections, this kind of housing becomes inefficient (in terms of time and space among other things) so most gravitate towards rack systems. Proper husbandry can be maintained in either of the options, however, as long as you commit to proper care of your animals.

For me, I started with two divided Animal Plastics T8s for my four girls. However, in a month I will have moved everyone over to racks. As my collection evolved, I found it necessary to adjust accordingly.