BP Tank Debate

[Shinopa T]

I have heard so many opinions on what tank size to use for a less-than-a-year-old ball python. I've heard "Use a 20 gallon long tank" quite a bit on iherp.com but I want to make sure this is the right decision. I don't want to have to purchase all the materials for it to find out it just won't work. I know ball pythons like small spaces (there will be a hide box), but what about tank size? Does it need to be on the small end or does it need to be relatively larger? And, if so, what tank in particular do you recommend?

[Eric Alan]

A 20 gallon long will work as they're growing up. It won't be big enough to house once it's grown though - you'll need a 40 gallon for that.

[Shinopa T]

Yeah, I know he'll need a 40 once he's an adult, but I mean at this stage.

[Eric Alan]

A 20 gallon long will work as they're growing up.

For help/direction in setting one up: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

[Mr. Misha]

If you have the means, i'd personally recommend starting with a PVC enclosure like Animal Plastics if you have the means to do it. The enclosure is big enough for a BP for the rest of their life and it will make it easier on you to keep humidity and heat at the right levels. Most importantly, you'll buy everything once and won't have to repurchase anything.

You can always purchase a divider for the PVC terrarium so it doesn't overwhelm a small BP and then remove it once it has grown.



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[Shinopa T]

If you have the means, i'd personally recommend starting with a PVC enclosure like Animal Plastics if you have the means to do it. The enclosure is big enough for a BP for the rest of their life and it will make it easier on you to keep humidity and heat at the right levels. Most importantly, you'll buy everything once and won't have to repurchase anything.

You can always purchase a divider for the PVC terrarium so it doesn't overwhelm a small BP and then remove it once it has grown.

Hmm.. Well *if* I decide to use a container what would you suggest? And how do I keep humidity and heat at the perfect temperature? Just not too fond of keeping an animal in a closed box.

[aalomon]

Actually the screen on an aquarium will work against you as far as keeping heat an humidity at appropriate levels, it all just escapes through the top. The aquarium would be more for you than for your ball python.

With tubs or PVC cages (Animal Plastics, Boaphiles...) you usually use a UTH attached to a thermostat. Humidity levels can be controlled by what substrate you use, how big the water dish is, and where you place the water dish. The snake also feels more secure in its "box" than it would in a fish tank, even a fish tank with lots of hides.

[Mr. Misha]

Hmm.. Well *if* I decide to use a container what would you suggest? And how do I keep humidity and heat at the perfect temperature? Just not too fond of keeping an animal in a closed box.

Here's a great thread on how to setup a PVC enclosure: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=165571

I personally heat all of mine with Radient Heat Panels (RHP) which are controlled by a proportional thermostat. In my case, I use Herpstat thermostats. I use coco husk for substrate which keeps my humidity around 60%.

With PVC enclosures you can still see your BP explore. Here are my enclosures:


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[Shinopa T]

Here's a great thread on how to setup a PVC enclosure: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=165571

Okay, I can definitely try that. What PVC container do you think I should purchase? I buy online, so if that's an option I'd like to see a link to where I can buy the one you suggest. :3
I plan on using coconut substrate. What size of water dish should I use? And would a zoo med heat mat with a thermometer and hygrometer work for that? Orr..

[Mr. Misha]

Okay, I can definitely try that. What PVC container do you think I should purchase? I buy online, so if that's an option I'd like to see a link to where I can buy the one you suggest. :3
I plan on using coconut substrate. What size of water dish should I use? And would a zoo med heat mat with a thermometer and hygrometer work for that? Orr..

There's different kind of PVC enclosures. I personally would suggest either an Animal Plastic T8 or T10 should be more than enough for one or even two BPs if you decide to buy a divider. Here's their site so you can browse around: apcages.com

Regarding the heating, I never tried heating a PVC terrarium with a heat mat and i'm not quite sure it would work. You're better off getting heat tape which costs 3 bucks a ft at Reptile Basics.

Additonally, depending on how cold your place gets, you might need a RHP because heat tape and heat mats don't heat ambient air.

Don't forget that additonally to the thermometer and hygrometer, you'll need a thermostat. Thermostats control how hot heat mats, heat tape and other heating devices get. Without that, you run a serious risk of burning your snake. I'd suggest a proportional thermostat like Herpstat or VE Electronics.

This whole setup is definitely not cheap, but totally worth it in the end.

Oh and for the water dish, the size is up to you. The coco husk will provide more than enough humidity for the whole terrarium.

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