Newbie to Reptile world

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TLTGF

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 5, 2005
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Goodrich MI
Hello everybody,
I'm Tim, I've been a member of MFK for quite a while, but mainly just for research. Here's my story... A couple years ago, while talking to a friend at work, I was advised on the art of fishkeeping. After no thought at all, I started buying equipment for a Salt water tank. Then I started doing the research on MFK. BIG MISTAKE. I learned quickly that there was so much more to the hobby than I imagined, including a hefty bill. Needless to say, I gave up. However, I ended up with a really great 180 gallon tank (72x24x24), on a nice stand with a canopy and the whole nine yards. The tank has been sitting empty for quite some time... After actually doing some real research first, I was contemplating getting a snake. For the last month or so, I've been talking to owners, visiting LPS, and reading what I can. To make a long story short, I am very interested in keeping either a boa or a python, but hopefully something that I won't have to upgrade it's housing. Can you guys give me any advice as to how to start out, what I need to know, tricks of the trade, what equiptment is needed, and mainly what kind of snake I may want to invest in. I read the thread about what snake so I have an idea, but I was hoping to clarify anything that I may be wrong about, so I don't make the same mistake I did. Thanks for your input, sorry about the lenghy thread.
 
That tank is going to be too large for many smaller species of pythons and boas. Those snakes tend to like tighter spaces that make them feel secure. Not to mention, heating a tank that size in a room that isn't heated higher than 78-80 degrees is going to be a complete nightmare.

If I had that tank and really wanted to do something cool...I'd set up a turtle tank. You've got more than enough space for a group of musk or sideneck turtles, which would look really cool.

For a turtle setup that size, you are probably going to want a canister filter with the highest flow rate you can afford, filled completely with mechanical media (bio media isn't important cause you aren't keeping fish), a water heater, and a screen lid topped with a basking lamp and full spectrum uvb lighting.

Another alternative is to look into dry land lizards such as bearded dragons or uromastyx. They are both omnivorous as well, feeding on insects and vegetables. They require the same special heating and UVB lighting that turtles do, just dry of course.
 
You could easily put pythons in their. Snakes like small spaces to hide in, their tank can be any size over the minimum. Provide the right amount of hides and you could put any size snake in any size enclosure(you know what I mean guys). I love snakes and so I suggest them to people. You could put Ball, Blood, Carpet, just about any python that get less then 10 feet long in their.

Since your tank is so large, you can also put a WIDE variety of turtles and other fasinating reptiles in their. Remember that reptiles are solitairy animals and so that means they like to be alone, they dont need a friend.

You mentined price in your post. Reptiles need to go to the vet aswell as cats and dogs. Take this into consideration before buying one. Exotic animals usually have a larger vet bill.
 
Thanks guys for the info. That's what I was thinking so far. Either a ball or a carpet, blood was mentioned, but i remember reading some negative things about them. The money thing for fish was that I was told that it would cost me $3000 to start and 200 a month for upkeep for a tank my size. That was what i meant, I've got a pretty good discretionary budget I can play with, so basically anything goes. I currently have a pitbull and a cat too, so vet visits are no prob, and even common.
I will give turtles props, I'm definitely not knocking it, but its not my thing. Like I said, thanks for the info, any further insight into the other aspects such as how i would heat my tank, what are recommended lighting situations, plants or no plants, how do I start. Thanks again.
 
I agree with Elevate: small snakes sometimes just don't do well in huge cages, even if there's a dozen hiding spots in there. An adult ball python that is healthy and is an established and regular feeder is the smallest snake I'd put in there, but even that IMO is overkill for a one ball.

Carpets and BCIs (common boa constrictors and their kin) are decent snake choices, but you could also do some type of large colubrid snake. Most wouldn't match the bulk of a large boid, but some still get pretty lengthy, and are more active, and would use the space more. Suggestions are: bull/pine/gopher snakes, coachwhips, indigos/cribo species, giant hognoses (had experience with these..and they are awesome), large ratsnake species.

Remember that it is harder (but not impossible) to maintain proper humidity in large glass tanks. There's lots of debate about this in another thread: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58899
 
TLTGF;740985; said:
Thanks guys for the info. That's what I was thinking so far. Either a ball or a carpet, blood was mentioned, but i remember reading some negative things about them. The money thing for fish was that I was told that it would cost me $3000 to start and 200 a month for upkeep for a tank my size. That was what i meant, I've got a pretty good discretionary budget I can play with, so basically anything goes. I currently have a pitbull and a cat too, so vet visits are no prob, and even common.
I will give turtles props, I'm definitely not knocking it, but its not my thing. Like I said, thanks for the info, any further insight into the other aspects such as how i would heat my tank, what are recommended lighting situations, plants or no plants, how do I start. Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Good call on passing on the blood because it would be a nightmare trying to keep the humidity up in that tank. You could have some problems with the carpet as well. I built a misting system on one of my display tanks (100g) because I couldn't keep the humidity up when I was gone. Feel free to contact me if you want plans on the system. I will be glad to help. :)

As far as heating it, the first thing to get is a rheostat. That way you can control the output of all heat emitters. I would go with Flexwatt Heat tape for the bottom of the enclosure because it is cheap and uses very little power. You can get it pretty cheap on-line: http://www.reptilebasics.com/store/home.php?cat=248

Your best bet for ambient heat would probably be ceramic heat emitters..that way you can leave a couple on at night and there won't be any light to keep your reptile up. I would run some spot lamps as well, especially if you go with the carpet because my guy is a heat magnet. (By the way, don't expect much "entertainment" from the carpet...half the time mine takes his food from me and never leaves his branch)

If you get an animal that is dependent on D3, then I would make sure you have a high grade full spectrum bulb so D3 can be properly increase the absorbstion of calcium...the vet bills will increase exponentially if there is bone loss.

As far as the tank asthetics...that will really depend on what you decide on. Keep me posted on what your final decision is and I will be more than happy to give you my two cents. I could talk about this stuff forever!! :D
 
I don't know what kinds of negative things you read about carpet pythons, because I've only read good things about them and I've only had good experiences with mine. I was thinking that it would probably make a really nice carpet python cage if you insulated three sides and the bottom to keep the heat in.
 
I agree a couple of ball pythons, a jungle carpet would be great!, a red-tail would be a another good choice, I would try a blood python because I love them for some reason:headbang2 basically anything up to 10-12' would work I think. The only thing about snakes (in my experience) is that some are somewhat active, but alot of species will just bask, hide, and just lay around all day(No offense to diehard snake addicts i love them too:) ) If I were you I would go with a group of 3-5 yellow or red ackies. They usually go for $150-$200 a piece for the yellow and $200-$300 a piece for the reds, and if you buy a few you should be able to get a discount price. They are a species of monitor that grows to 2', is beautifully colored, active, docile, and fun to watch interact with each other. I know you asked about snakes but that tank would be awesome to display some nice ackies in.
 
Well everyone, thank you for your input... I've been reading and talking to more people and visiting LPS for more info as well.

As it stands so far, I'm thinking I'm gonna go for it with the glass tank. I'll insulate the sides and talk to KENYANSANDBOA for help with a mister set up. A LPS that I went to today made my day. They had to 1.5 year old Dumeril Boas, male and female for $200 ea., but would sell both to me for $200. The snakes are beautiful, with nice markings, and from what I heard will grow up to eight or nine feet max. The only thing I want to know is, would two be too much, and if so what should I get male or female, or does it matter?
It seems to be the way I'm gonna go, but if there is anything that I might have missed that will be negative... please let me know.
 
It would be a tight fit for both adult snakes. Not an expert on Dumerils specifically, but generally with boas and pythons, females get larger. But even one adult female would be okay...just not two of them.
 
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