Enclosure shopping newb

[wingbeats]

Hello all!

I am in the research stage for buying my first ball python (which will be my first reptile) and I want to make sure I get things right.

I read that PVC is easier to keep clean and humid than glass, which sounds awesome to me! I live in Idaho, which can get quite dry in the summer. So, I am shopping for some snake tanks.
I also read that PVC from say, Wal Mart works just fine, but really I'd like something that displays the snake at least a little. Though, ease-of-cleaning is a big thing for me so I may end up going the Sterlite route anyways, but I figured I'd pick out some possibilities. Cost is not a huge deal, as I am willing to pay for a snake's comfort, but I do like to be cost-effective

Some good-looking ones I've found so far:

This site has a nice starter kit it seems, which includes stuff like substrate, thermometers, and such. That would be nice, to get everything in one go, if it is all good stuff. Kinda pricey though. http://www.lllreptile.com/catalog/45...-cage-packages

There is also this one that makes really nice-looking ones, though also slightly pricey: http://www.showcasecages.com/cage_details.htm

These ones look good, too, and seem more reasonably-priced. I am leaning towards this, unless the starter kit above is more cost-effective. http://www.coldbloodedenclosures.com...hk=1&Itemid=14

But I'm not really sure what size to get for adult ball python? (I want to do the buy adult-sized-enclosure, fill it with lots of hides thing). People say 30 gallons, but the websites advertise in dimensions like W x H x D. Trying to figure this one out so I know about how much I'm going to be spending and how big a space I need! lol. I suppose I can always message the companies themselves....but really, what dimensions are ideal for adult ball pythons?

And are any of the PVC cage options above not so good? Any other recommended PVC snake cages out there aside from the ones I listed?

Sorry for my newbie-ness. Been doing lots of reading and I want to treat my first snake right Thanks for the help!

[wingbeats]

After I posted the above, I saw someone mention Animal Plastics. Oooh nice, definitely adding those to my list.

[Outtkast]

I just put together my first Animal Plastics cage this weekend, it's so awesome, I love it. I've had my BP for about 5 weeks I think. She ate her first meal, but skipped I think 4 since then. After putting her in the AP cage on Sunday, she ate the next meal I offered her on Monday. Coincidence? Maybe

Don't be afraid to call them if you have questions, you'll love Ali.

[Outtkast]

Oh, and I went from a glass aquarium to the AP cage. With humidity issues around here, the glass is a nightmare compared to the AP.

[wingbeats]

What size one did you get? and how big is your snake?

[Nodnarb3do]

Outtkast, as a fellow humidity struggler (whose T8 should be shipping soon), how much better was your humidity situation?

[Outtkast]

Wingbeats - I got the T8 with a divider. My BP is about 130 grams and setup in half of the T8. I'm going to put a corn snake in the other half until the BP needs the whole thing for herself.

Nodnarb - My humidity has been around 30% in my house. I have my 10 gallon glass aquarium screen taped up to keep the humidity in and I was misting twice a day just to keep it around 50%. And it would still drop down to 30% between mistings. With the T8, the humidity has stayed at 50% with just a water bowl under the radiant heat panel that I installed. I haven't tried misting yet and I'm not sure if I will. My moss just came in the mail yesterday and I might just make a humid hide and leave it with that.

[Mr. Misha]

If you're looking for a great display terrarium, i'd definitely go with Animal Plastics. I have three of their enclosures (different sizes) and I couldn't be happier. Never have to worry about my temperature or humidity.

The only drawback is the waiting time for the delivery but in my opinion, it's worth the wait.

Here's part of my setup. This is a T8 on top of a T10.

[wingbeats]

Good to hear, Mr Misha They're pretty reasonably-priced, also!

What size is good for an adult ball python? I'm still not sure which one to get! I only want one snake as a pet.

[DennisM]

Good to hear, Mr Misha They're pretty reasonably-priced, also!

What size is good for an adult ball python? I'm still not sure which one to get! I only want one snake as a pet.

A T3 or T8 are suitable for an adult BP.