Rapidly growing BP in a 20L

[sg1trogdor]

It is frowned upon on here to use anything other than a rubbermaid/sterlite tub or rack system to house your bp. I had my first ball in a 65 gallon tank for about a year and a half I never had a single problem with temps or humidity. Its a possibility that I was just lucky but it worked for me until I got 16 more snakes and now have to use a rack. I say use the larger tank if you wish but just keep an eye on temps and humidity and enjoy. Now if you plan on getting more snakes (which you will eventually lol) THen keep in mind that tanks take up alot of space.

[missi182]

It is frowned upon on here to use anything other than a rubbermaid/sterlite tub or rack system to house your bp. I had my first ball in a 65 gallon tank for about a year and a half I never had a single problem with temps or humidity. Its a possibility that I was just lucky but it worked for me until I got 16 more snakes and now have to use a rack. I say use the larger tank if you wish but just keep an eye on temps and humidity and enjoy. Now if you plan on getting more snakes (which you will eventually lol) THen keep in mind that tanks take up alot of space.

Wow, that is SO false I don't know what else to say

Yes there are many members on here that have tubs but MANY, MANY members have tanks and love them!!! They are easy to keep up if put together correctly.

I don't know which bp.net you've been on lately but I never hear people bash tanks. Tubs have their advantages but like I said, many people prefer to SEE their snakes...

[sg1trogdor]

Wow, that is SO false I don't know what else to say

Yes there are many members on here that have tubs but MANY, MANY members have tanks and love them!!! They are easy to keep up if put together correctly.

I don't know which bp.net you've been on lately but I never hear people bash tanks. Tubs have their advantages but like I said, many people prefer to SEE their snakes...

I am not saying that ppl don't use glass tanks. I would bet money that about 100% of the ppl on here have or have had their animals in glass tanks. But I have noticed that when ppl bring up the Large (50 gallon etc) tanks that ppl will always be quick to put them down. "temp is hard to keep stable in glass tanks", "humidity fluctuates", "its too big for the snake to feel secure" "they don't need that much room, they stay in their burrows all the time" . All these quotes are of course paraphrasing but you still get the idea. I have had this conversation with members before when I used to have a glass setup (which I still do for a few small snakes). All of these claims are BS if you ask me anyone who has all these problems just isnt doing it right I never had a problem and secondly I never had to tweak anything. I will look for specific threads but thats gonna take a while

[missi182]

I am not saying that ppl don't use glass tanks. I would bet money that about 100% of the ppl on here have or have had their animals in glass tanks. But I have noticed that when ppl bring up the Large (50 gallon etc) tanks that ppl will always be quick to put them down. "temp is hard to keep stable in glass tanks", "humidity fluctuates", "its too big for the snake to feel secure" "they don't need that much room, they stay in their burrows all the time" . All these quotes are of course paraphrasing but you still get the idea. I have had this conversation with members before when I used to have a glass setup (which I still do for a few small snakes). All of these claims are BS if you ask me anyone who has all these problems just isnt doing it right I never had a problem and secondly I never had to tweak anything. I will look for specific threads but thats gonna take a while

O.K, but you said "it is frowned upon here to use anything but rubbermaids/tubs"

Umm, no.

Yes, you can have issues with a 50 gallon or a large tank, and all of those points are accurate. With a young bp, it WILL feel insecure in a large tank if the correct measures are not taken.

The point is to show new comers the easiest and proven ways to be successful, there are MANY other ways to house ball pythons including in large tanks but when someone says "help my bp wont eat, btw it is a 200 gram baby in a 40 gallon" we can see right away what the issue MAY be.

[Pandora]

Rule of thumb: the length of the tank should be at least 2/3 the length of the snake.

[sneakerpro]

I didn't realize I was starting another tank vs. tub debate!

I've had my BP in this 20L since I got him in Feb. and haven't really had any issues with temp and humidity since the first month or so. I did have to cover the screen with some foil to help hold humidity, but now I've pretty much got it down to a science. I can change the humidity at will with minor tweaks to help facilitate shedding etc. However, in my current situation new snakes aren't really an option, and I prefer to have my one and only snake on display rather than in a tub.

I kept a rescue in a tub for a month or two, and realize the ease of using a tub. Even with this experience I still feel like a glass tank is the best option for me, even though BPs always hide and suck as a display snake.

Also Keep in mind you may need to also upgrade what you're using as a heat element. Its going to be a big difference in a 50G maintaining your temps depending on what you're currently using.

That is exactly what I meant when I was saying this will be a slow transition so that I can acquire the proper equipment. I will be investing in a quality t-stat and mostly likely some flexwatt. I also need to build/buy bigger hides, and some "decoration" to provide a secure environment in such a large tank.

Thanks for all the input guys.

[Somed00d]

tank vs tub.. here we go again.. use whatever you want as long as you provide 2 hides, a temperature gradient, water dish, proper humidity and escape proof..

[sg1trogdor]

That's because no one in their right mind, who knows how to keep Ball Pythons, will use "a 55 gallon tank. They are heavy, awful to clean, very difficult to keep correctly heated and humidified."


"I would put the snake in a rubbermaid container, clean the 55gal tank up really good, take it to my nearest pet store and trade it for a 20gal long. Set the 20gal up with all the accessories you already have and you should be good to go. Most people think the bigger the tank the better, this is not true. You want your BP to have tons of room to crawl around, the BP doesn't want that. He wants to feel cramped and secure, the less open space the better. Remember in the wild they spend 90% of their time crammed in a hole in the ground they can barely fit in. Hit some websites and look at the husbandry recommended for BP's."


"Toss the tank and buy an inexpensive Sterilite or Iris tub. Much easier.. Why put your snake and yourself through agony?"

Can get more if you would like. removed names don't know if I should post them but can if you wish.