My set up

[PYTHON#4]

well here are a couple pics of the set up i had for the snake i used to have.. it was a corn snake but now i want a bp.. please let me kow what you guys think about my set up.. i know its simple but it worked for my corn.. i know this is way too big for a hatchling so i will use about 1/4 of the tank to start with..i have a uth and a thermostat not seen in the pics..i bought the tank for 10 buks and made the top myself.. i was short on cash.. it was about 15 buks for the top.. so the tank itself wast about 25 to 30. thanks for looking!

the locking mechanism


the hinges for the top


and the whole thing.. (i have bought 2 identical hides since.)

[Argentra]

Interesting. How big is that tank?

I wouldn't use that tank for BPs simply because it looks too tall. Heat would be harder to maintain, and BPs need higher and more exact temp ranges than corns.
If you really want to put a BP in there, regardless of age, you'll have to make sure you cover and insulate the back and sides for security and added heat retention. FILL the thing with greenery or other 'stuff' and make sure to have the two identical hides and a heavier, wider water dish.

Ball Pythons really do best in short, small enclosures. I would think about getting a new tank or tub sized for whatever age BP you wanted to get and use that tank for something else. Just my humble opinion.

[ohyeahnow]

well here are a couple pics of the set up i had for the snake i used to have.. it was a corn snake but now i want a bp.. please let me kow what you guys think about my set up.. i know its simple but it worked for my corn.. i know this is way too big for a hatchling so i will use about 1/4 of the tank to start with..i have a uth and a thermostat not seen in the pics..i bought the tank for 10 buks and made the top myself.. i was short on cash.. it was about 15 buks for the top.. so the tank itself wast about 25 to 30. thanks for looking!

the locking mechanism


the hinges for the top


and the whole thing.. (i have bought 2 identical hides since.)

Looks cool. Wrap it with refectix and your ambient temps should be fine.

[Basketball303]

I would recommend just putting some black paper around the sides of the tank to make the BP feel more secure and put a little more greenery as Argentra said. But I think it looks fine. If it is a little tall, maybe try putting some sphagnum moss in the old water bowl to keep the humidity normal and have fun. Experiment, and learn my friend.

[starmom]

As Argentra mentioned, humidity will be your constant source of angst...
What will you be heating it with? I would recommend a RHP since it will help to raise the temps (heat loss will also be an issue) and you could put a huge bowl of sphagnum moss right under the panel so it can help your humidity.

Insulation around the sides and back will do wonders. The hides you have will be wrecked after the snake's first pee. Dollar store has inexpensive plastic bowls and if you got dark ones, they could act as a hide (after you cut a door them!)

[PYTHON#4]

oko will do the insulating.. wuts the best kind of insulation i could get?

and as for heating i have a UTH. its pretty big covers about half the tank.. and i made a regulator with a light dimmer.. worked fine for almost a whole year..and as for the hides i got rid of the cardboard ones.. those were emergency ones.. now i have 2 identical hides..

i had a feeling humidity and keeping heat would b somewhat of a problem so thats y i made the lid that covered most of the top..

[starmom]

I use rigid insulation for mine.
Some people use foam board.

The lid you made is great but the heat loss will be through the massive areas of glass....insulation ought to help big time!

[ohyeahnow]

I use reflectix ( http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...cStoreNum=8125 ) because it is an insualation that radiates heat back. First I line the glass with colored paper or an attractive background, then I wrap with reflectix.


Taped with foil tape. The top needed vents to keep humidity from getting too high, even with the lamp. Ambient temps are great now.

[starmom]

Well that's cool!!!

[PYTHON#4]

thanks for the link!! that stuff looks affordable and sounds like it shold work..

now should i insulate the back, the sides and the top? or just back and sides?