what is a good m/4 ratio? even 2/2 or 1male and 3 females?
1.3 is a good ratio to breed as male can breed several females without any problems.

If you plan on breeding I would suggest you to buy all 4 females and buy a male morph in a year but this is just my and breeding normal is fine too.

Just make sure you know what you get into it takes time commitment and knowing how to care for them should be the first priority.

Breeding will mean you will have to raise the females up for the next 2 to 3 years, after that you will need to be prepared to buy or build an incubator, buy or built a rack for all the offsprings, be prepared to provide for them if they don't sell, know how to get hatchling started, etc.

we have a 40 gal and two 30s tankwise we arent using, should we house all 4 in there or use the clear plastic bin way of housing?
Each of them will have to be house individually here is a basic check list of what will be required for each individual http://www.geocities.com/gaballpythons/

I will really insist BP cannot be house together regardless of their gender, age or size, many problem have been documented including cannibalism due to stress.

BP are solitary animals and do better alone
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ltiple+housing

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ltiple+housing


i am voting no but my wife says yes due to the ease of the bin, but i have heating issues with the bin that can be eased by just doing a nice large tank setup...i know i have a ton of questions but i just wish it to go well...any help would be appreciated.
Plastic tubs are easier to clean and maintain as far as temps and humidity, the heat will be the same whether or not you use a glass tank or a plastic tub you need to provide belly eat and have a thermostat to maintain proper temps and avoid over-heating that can lead to burns.

also will this produce more generic BPs or will we have a chance of getting morphs and the like?
If you get 1.3 normal you will get 100% Normal

This should help you understand easily the genetic part of breeding http://www.ballpython.ca/genetics.html

And again patience learn how to care for each of them and watch them grow for the next 2/3 years and while you do that research breeding thoroughly.