How fast Will it Outgrow a 10 gal virarium

[patricknolan]

Hello everyone! Its my first post and i just joined. I am picking up a baby BP this weekend from a breeder for 20$. Male's are 20 females 30 so i decided that a smaller one would be better and cheaper. So, i picked up a male.

I asked if a ten gallon aquarium tank would be good enough now and the breeder said it would be. My question is, how fast will it ourgrow this tank? I dont want to keep the snake in this tank when it gets big, i plan on moving to a 55 gal. Right now i can get a ten gal for free because i used to have a garder snake in it.

How fast will it out grow the tank?

Whats the a decent heat pad i can use [under tank] that i can feel safe leaving on 24/7 while im not home?

Thanks!!

[Freakie_frog]

Your snake might out grow that with in a few months.

[Argentra]

It could take a few months, or a year. Snakes grow at their own rates.

Also, a 55g is WAY too big for even a large BP. They like smaller enclosures, even as adults, so the tank you'd need for an adult would be a 30g breeder or a 40g at most...and make sure the tank is wide and low regardless of size.

ZooMed UTH pads are great, but you NEED a thermostat to control any heat source you use, since they can get up over 120 if just plugged into the wall. Depending on budget, you can get a ZooMed ReptiTemp for $21 for 'in the meantime' use, or the good stats, which are Johnson($80), Ranco($75-80), Herpstat($100+), and Helix($110+). You can even use a basic lamp dimmer until you can get a good thermostat.

[hawaiianice99]

2-4 months, its not that it will be too big for its tank, its that you wont be able to fit all the necessities for its environment and a growing snake into a small 10gal.

[RobbinRN]

I got Alice on 3/31 at 118 grams in a 10-gal tank. My problem was exactly what Mike said. As he grew, it was his accessories that he outgrew and by July I had moved him into his 40-gal tank where both larger hides, water bowl and LOTS of greenery fit and he could stretch out if he wanted to. By then, he weighed 343 grams. He now weighs 1100 grams and it's perfect for him.

Robbin

[stevelvd]

I just got my bp a month ago and she has nearly doubled in size. My understanding is that they grow the most in the first year. I got a 20gal long tank and she spends most of her time during the day under the tree sort of in the middle and a lot of time at night climbing and laying on the rock setup on the right. I'm hoping this setup (total cost $150US) will last for most of her life.

[hawaiianice99]

I'm hoping this setup (total cost $150US) will last for most of her life.

It might last a couple years, i would last longer if you took those monster rock hides out, they are way too big. Soon your snake will be to big to have those in there and there will be nowhere for it to roam, i would ditch those now and make some tupperwear hides instead.

[stevelvd]

You're right, I could make it last longer by taking out the big hides out. I'm really out to make this an interesting display piece for my home as well as a habitat. So I might end up having to get a bigger aquarium to accomodate - no biggee. I know that some people go as simple as just keeping thier snakes in plastic totes and that works for them but doesn't that fit what I want.

[Argentra]

It is completely possible to have 'cheap' hides and still make your tank a display. I use plastic flower pots for my hides and with a bit of color coordination and greenery choice I have very nice tanks:












Of course, I do have a few hides that are not cheap:


FYI the 'ramps' are his cool hide and he loves it. That's a corn tank.

They aren't works of natural art, but they're not an eye sore either. If I had more money I might go more for the natural viv look.


Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that you should indeed loose that bulky rock thing. Maybe go for some 'rock cave' hides to keep that natural look. The snake will probably thank you for the more secure hides.

[hawaiianice99]

I agree with argentra, its not just about you wanting it to look cool, its about what is best for the snake. there are lots of ways to make it look nice and still be the right type of setup for your snake, great examples above.


***BTW, those plastic log hides are wicked nice looking