What do you think - should I go for this viv?

[polychromator]

Hi all - I'm preparing for my first ball python in a few months, and stumbled upon this viv being sold near me:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/pet-equipm....25/1194835451

I'm definitely hoping my snake and their viv can be a decor item (hence a lack of interest in tubs, despite all their benefits). I'm not overly a fan of wooden vivs, but was prepared to get one because of the pain of maintaining heat/humidity in glass. However, I actually really like that one - lack of wooden sill at the bottom gives just a tiny bit more visibility (I've sent the seller to ask if it's made by a recognisable/known brand, though I don't recognise it).

However, the issue is that it's a 3 foot one - I don't yet know know whether I'm getting an adult or a juvenile, and appreciate that's a big size jump that might make a youngster uncomfortable despite my best efforts to pad it out.

I suppose I'm just round about asking, would you go for it? I think the worst case is that I pick up on any stress, and put it away until they're older, but I'd really appreciate any advice!

[Mangiapane85]

Hi all - I'm preparing for my first ball python in a few months, and stumbled upon this viv being sold near me:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/pet-equipm....25/1194835451

I'm definitely hoping my snake and their viv can be a decor item (hence a lack of interest in tubs, despite all their benefits). I'm not overly a fan of wooden vivs, but was prepared to get one because of the pain of maintaining heat/humidity in glass. However, I actually really like that one - lack of wooden sill at the bottom gives just a tiny bit more visibility (I've sent the seller to ask if it's made by a recognisable/known brand, though I don't recognise it).

However, the issue is that it's a 3 foot one - I don't yet know know whether I'm getting an adult or a juvenile, and appreciate that's a big size jump that might make a youngster uncomfortable despite my best efforts to pad it out.

I suppose I'm just round about asking, would you go for it? I think the worst case is that I pick up on any stress, and put it away until they're older, but I'd really appreciate any advice!

Way better than a glass tank for sure. If it's a hatchling or a young gun, I'm a firm believer in plastic tubs just to get them adjusted and responding well to feeding. But that's just me


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[polychromator]

Yeah; it's a nice enough looking viv, and since I've got storage space I'm tempted to have it as a back up if nothing else. If I'm worried about i being too big should I get a juvenile, I could always start them in a tub and make sure they're well settled while they're little!

[redshepherd]

Good looking cage!

The only thing is the heat pad should be underneath the viv, not inside it. And the heat pad needs a thermostat and the heat bulb should be on a dimmer. (If you know this already, just in case!)

I'd go for it, but also have a plastic tub set up just in case I get a hatchling. The hatchling doesn't need to live in a plastic tub for life, just to grow up for a few months in.

[Jeanne]

Its very nice, grab it. But as was mentioned above., heat pad shld b on outside, but tht wnt work w this cage.. So..

1. Get a piece of plexy glass cut to fit over it, inside cage.

OR

2. Instead use radiant heat panel.

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[Mangiapane85]

Yes, with the material the cage is made out of, the heat mat won't do any good. And placing it on the inside can be dangerous. So it seems that overhead heat or heat panels are the only option.


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[Mangiapane85]

Yeah; it's a nice enough looking viv, and since I've got storage space I'm tempted to have it as a back up if nothing else. If I'm worried about i being too big should I get a juvenile, I could always start them in a tub and make sure they're well settled while they're little!

I'm one of the "tub" guys. I feel as though balls thrive the best in an opaque, plastic enclosure. But to each their own I guess.


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[polychromator]

Thank you ever so much, everyone! Yeah, in all my reading, there are plenty of people who put heat mats inside wooden vivs (since, well, won't exactly conduct heat from the outside of the viv) but I'm not comfortable with my snake being able to nose down through the substrate and touch it if they so wanted! Some people suggest covering with a ceramic tile or slate, but with all of that trouble I'd rather stick to a ceramic emitter.

If I get a juvenile, I'll definitely be starting them out in a tub - who knows, I might be a convert by the time they grow out of it!

[Coluber42]

You could always put a RHP in the wooden viv. And you could also buy it now and put it in the tub with minimal modifications to the lid. It doesn't get nearly as hot as a che, so it's safe to use in any kind of enclosure and they last forever.