As Requested: Pictures of Molly (And Her Housing)

[JNieporte]

A lot of my questions were answered by "post some pictures" so I thought I'd give it a shot. These were taken last night. A week after her last shedding, and one day after her last meal. The quality isn't the greatest, but you can tell what's there. I'll do my best to explain what I've got in the photo. Pay no attention to the readings on the thermometers / hygrometers; they just had their batteries changed and hadn't had time to calibrate yet. I just put them in to give you an idea of where they are in the set-up.

Standard 10-gallon glass aquarium. Here it is set up in normal daylight...

And in IR red 50-watt for daytime...

Blue 75-watt for night time...

The heat lamp is to the left (warm side), and the right (cool) side is insulated with a triple layer of aluminum foil...

For two days after feeding, I put black paper over the front of her cage to lessen the stress...

Right after drinking...

Snooping around...

Eventually, she got bored and went back to her hide...

I think she's giving me the finger...

[reaxion07]

The day and night lights aren't really needed. Also, it's good to have two hides - one on the hot side and one on the cold.

[JNieporte]

Her heating pad box (it's an undertank, so you can't see it in the picture)...

Another "right after drinking" shot, different angle...



"Nosing around" different angle...

My reading material...

My wife's hamster, Cinnamon (they hopefully won't meet)...

[JNieporte]

The day and night lights aren't really needed. Also, it's good to have two hides - one on the hot side and one on the cold.

I know they're not needed, but I didn't know that when I bought them
I'd stick another hide in there, but it's just a 10-gallon and I don't want to cramp it and over-stress her. I'm probably going to be picking up a 20-gallon Long in the next week, and I'll put a second hide in that one along with a second heat lamp.

[Slim]

A second hide will most likely not stress her out...in fact, you'll find just the reverse. You shouldn't make your BP choose between security and thermoregulation. Two hides are especially important in an open glass tank environment. Give it a try, I think you'll be happy with the results.

[wolfy-hound]

If you have the under tank heater, you should have some sort of control on it, so it doesn't overheat. A thermostat, or at least a dimmer would be good.
Ball pythons generally LIKE cramped spots, so a second hide now with the water in the middle would be good too. Of course, if you're getting the 20L really soon, then I'm sure she'll be fine until then.
Are your temps and humidity good? If so, then you should be fine, but I'd definitely try to get a thermostat, to prevent the heater from over-heating accidentally.

[thefnshow66]

i had the exact same hide for my first ball in a ten gallon tank. You can fit two of those in there. Just get a smaller water bowl. If you want to keep the same bowl and still fit two hides, you can probably get some clay flower pots and cut a whole on the side with a dremel tool. Those make great hides and you can get two of those for less than 2 dollars!

[Lateralus_Love]

Personally I think that 10g is the perfect size for her at the moment. Wait another three or four months before you get a 20g. I would say that hide is too big for her. Balls like to squeeze themselves into something for more security. If you're concerned about not having alot of elbow room with two hides, get two smaller ones and put the water dish in the center.