125 gallon aquarium and the pros opinions

[zina10]

If I had such a large and open enclosure and I wanted to make a stunning display PLUS see a snake out and about using it, I would actually put a different species into it.

Ball Pythons actually come from arid regions. So having it lush, jungle-y and lots of water features may look naturalistic, but not really for that species. Of course you can make it work. And in the beginning you will see a lot of your Ball Python, because that large of a space is scary at first and there will be a lot of cruising.

Once the BP gets used to the enclosure and relaxes, most of the time will be spent hiding. If the enclosure is beautiful to look at, there is nothing wrong with a snake being in the hide.

But something so big, there is so much you could do with it, and then put a species in that explores , is out and about, makes use of all the climbing, water, foliage and enjoys it tremendously. There are some Colubrids that get quite big and are bold and out and about. Carpet Pythons would enjoy it.

Its all about whether you are ok with looking at the enclosure empty (hidden snake) or you want a display that features the animal making use of all the deco a lot.

[Bogertophis]

zina10 makes a very good point. Ball pythons hunt by ambush & mostly in evening hours...what would be a lot more fun is a species that is an active hunter,
& one that climbs, to use all that space. Things like large rat snakes (Taiwan Beauty perhaps? Or a stunning orange Everglades rat snake) or a pine/bull/gopher
snake would use every inch of it. They're bold, & spend time in branches where you can see & admire them...instead of a cage that looks empty with a hiding BP.

[DandD]

Are you sure the water features will be "easy to maintain" when your snake takes a dump in them? Snakes often do that which we fail to plan for...

Personally I'd go more for driftwood that a BP could easily climb on, & a cave or two, but anyway, I look forward to seeing your ideas put into action.

I actually plan on building a small stream connected directly to a pond( think sort of a water bowl with a creek attached to it) so you can pull the entire thing out at once and clean it. I’m for sure almost going to make it two levels with plenty of climbing space.

[DandD]

If I had such a large and open enclosure and I wanted to make a stunning display PLUS see a snake out and about using it, I would actually put a different species into it.

Ball Pythons actually come from arid regions. So having it lush, jungle-y and lots of water features may look naturalistic, but not really for that species. Of course you can make it work. And in the beginning you will see a lot of your Ball Python, because that large of a space is scary at first and there will be a lot of cruising.

Once the BP gets used to the enclosure and relaxes, most of the time will be spent hiding. If the enclosure is beautiful to look at, there is nothing wrong with a snake being in the hide.

But something so big, there is so much you could do with it, and then put a species in that explores , is out and about, makes use of all the climbing, water, foliage and enjoys it tremendously. There are some Colubrids that get quite big and are bold and out and about. Carpet Pythons would enjoy it.

Its all about whether you are ok with looking at the enclosure empty (hidden snake) or you want a display that features the animal making use of all the deco a lot.

This is a fantastic point and I am for sure going to add some different species to my collection in the future. Unfortunately I’m still in the break in process with my fiancée lol although it is promising. Strangely enough she has no issue holding my friends giant boa but she gets nervous holding our 1 year old ball python. With everything zina said in mind I can always build this tank and just move our Bp back into his original I am really interested in the cribos.