BP caging (beginner)

[blackandblue_lulu]

Hello everyone!

Just getting into Ball Pythons and I have 2 on hold before I move into my new place. I didn't intend on breeding or trying to create morphs so I purchased a 30 galon (36x18x12) glass aquarium. (some one suggested split it in half with plexi glass and seal with aquarium silicone, but then it wouldn't be big enough for two adults)

I have read that that size could potentially only house 1 Adult BP. Since I have two coming in I was thinking of selling it and buying a rack system. I have looked at Animal Plastics but I am just confused at what I should be buying.

What I want is to be able to house 2 adults, and several juveniles, for after they have bred and the eggs have hatched. [/B

Please share your methods and opinions. Also, is this going to be more expensive than I think since I have to buy the tubs separately?


I just want them to be comfortable. X__X

 

[blackandblue_lulu]

I guess my issue is the female needs a 41 qt but the male needs a 32 qt... so should I just go with two 41 qts and build a small rack from that?

 

[blackandblue_lulu]

Or would getting the Animal Plastics T8 with a Divider be okay? I don't want the female to be squished or the male to feel insecure with space.

I probably sound dumb. x_x

 

[yogie2]

You don't sound dumb, you sound concerned, which is a very good thing! Most people have good success keeping adults in 41qt tubs. You're snakes are going to feel much more secure in a tub than a tank, regardless of whether its 41qt or 32qt, and you are going to have a much easier time keeping the heat and humidity proper. If you are concerned your male is going to have too much space in a 41qt tub, you may try filling it up a bit with extra hides, balled up newspaper, etc.

 

[FireStorm]

The male will be fine in the 41qt tub. IMO, the main reason that people keep males in smaller tubs (myself included) is simply because they don't need a big tub. It's not because keeping a male in a big tub is bad. We have racks for our males with Vision V35 tubs, and racks for our females with Vision V70 tubs. If you are building your own rack, you can build a rack that will hold both Vision V35 tubs and Vision V70 tubs. You could even do a shelf of Vision V18 or V15 (their hatchling tubs) in the same rack if you design it that way.

I can't offer any specific advice on building a rack...built one and will never do it again. I don't have the patience, lol.

 

[blackandblue_lulu]

The male will be fine in the 41qt tub. IMO, the main reason that people keep males in smaller tubs (myself included) is simply because they don't need a big tub. It's not because keeping a male in a big tub is bad. We have racks for our males with Vision V35 tubs, and racks for our females with Vision V70 tubs. If you are building your own rack, you can build a rack that will hold both Vision V35 tubs and Vision V70 tubs. You could even do a shelf of Vision V18 or V15 (their hatchling tubs) in the same rack if you design it that way.

I can't offer any specific advice on building a rack...built one and will never do it again. I don't have the patience, lol.

Already have the blue prints down. I am now concerned about the flex watt tape's thermometer. The one's I've seen have been very expensive.

 

[blackandblue_lulu]

You don't sound dumb, you sound concerned, which is a very good thing! Most people have good success keeping adults in 41qt tubs. You're snakes are going to feel much more secure in a tub than a tank, regardless of whether its 41qt or 32qt, and you are going to have a much easier time keeping the heat and humidity proper. If you are concerned your male is going to have too much space in a 41qt tub, you may try filling it up a bit with extra hides, balled up newspaper, etc.

Thanks for the advice! I will add some extra hides for him, that's a good idea.

 

[FireStorm]

Already have the blue prints down. I am now concerned about the flex watt tape's thermometer. The one's I've seen have been very expensive.

IMO, the thermostat is one of the most important things you will buy. It isn't something you can skimp on. Herpstat is very good, if you want a proportional tstat. It is totally worth the money. For on/off I have only used Johnson Controls.

 

[blackandblue_lulu]

IMO, the thermostat is one of the most important things you will buy. It isn't something you can skimp on. Herpstat is very good, if you want a proportional tstat. It is totally worth the money. For on/off I have only used Johnson Controls.

Update I have a thermostat now. http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPRTC-Digital-Thermostat-Heat/dp/B000NZZG3S

Its going to be a while now before I get the ball pythons, so I am going to test heating the environment in the mean time. Will let you know

 

[edrizzle]

IMO, the thermostat is one of the most important things you will buy. It isn't something you can skimp on. Herpstat is very good, if you want a proportional tstat. It is totally worth the money. For on/off I have only used Johnson Controls.

Great advice, heating is #1