First ball python

[StephenT]

I'll throw my two cents in!
Assuming you're getting a juvenile, I'd start him/her off in a tub (16qt would suffice if you make it nice and cozy with hides and maybe some fake leaves, just something to cramp it up a bit), much less expensive than a tank and you don't have to worry about dropping a lot of cash on a larger one as he grows. Be sure to drill plenty of holes into the sides of the tub for proper air ventilation.

For heating I would reccomend heat tape or heat pads (we'll use the abbreiviation UTH, or under tank heater), Reptilebasics.com sells heat tape and will wire it up for you. With a UTH you NEED a thermostat, or it will get too hot and burn the tub and ground it's sitting on. There are many cheap on/off thermostats (they cut power to the tape when the heat tape's temperature exceeds what it is set at). If you're willing to drop a bit more cash you can get a proportional thermostat (which keeps the temperature constant). You can get one for just under $100 at Spyderrobotics.com. About 1/3rd of the enclosure should be heated, so be sure to pick an appropriate width of tape/size of pad.

Heat tape should be fastened to the ground the tub (or tank if you so choose) via aluminum tape, which you can purchase at just about every hardware store. If you have any carpentry skills you could build a little stand or even a shelf-like system (you can Google "snake rack systems" for many examples) or even just go out and get one, unless you're fine with taping up wherever you planned to set the enclosure originaly. Now Heat pads, they come with adheasive nubs to stand your tub up and stick the pad under the enclosure, also having an adhesive. Either a temp gun or thermometer is fine, though if you choose the temp gun I'd reccomend to check the temps often. Also getting a hydrometor wouldn't be a bad idea, to measure your enclosure's humidity (should be around %60).

I'll tell ya a little secret about substrate, the aspen meant for rabbits and the like are usually cheaper than the snake stuff and is still the exact same! Make sure the hides are nice and cozy too, BPs love to hide. Of course add the water bowl.

The tub size can be increased as your snake grows, there are many references of when to increase size if you Google "snake tub size."
If you have any questions feel free to message me or anyone else on the forum! We're usually a nice lot of people

Enjoy your new snake!