well i am also very new to this and i currently have my 17 " BP in a 20 g aquarium. i feed for the 3rd time last saturday and i leave my bp alone for at least 48 hrs just to be safe. as far as the tank size, from what have heard and know, u will need at least a 30 g in the future. i try and keep my handling sessions no longer than 15 - 20 minutes and i try not to disturb the snake unless it is out of its hide.