Optimal set-up for Ball Python?

[cichlid_fever]

you're being absurd and argumentative for no reason. you know damn well a ball python can be kept perfectly happy, fat, and healthy in an aquarium, so what's the big deal?

dogs and snakes have completely different requirements and nature, so comparing the 2 is just plain stupid, and you (should) know that.

yeah, you're not going to see it all day, every day. that's not the point though; when it does come out, you want to be able to see it. you're guaranteed to NEVER see it in a tub unless you take it out.

the tinfoil is only necessary if you can't keep the humidity where you need it. if you're in an area with a dry climate (like arizona), you might need to partially cover the screen lid with something. however, OP is in ohio, and i doubt he'll have any troubles with humidity if he has a moist hide box and a big enough water bowl.

also, if you don't like the look of foil, why did you use it? cut a piece of clear plexi to fit the lid, simple.

Tin foil like others i went the low ball way,pexi can melt!!!Great to know he lives somewhere humid! Does that mean his house is humid????He said display,not just a quick fix up,cats & dogs was a example...You want argumentive keep em coming how long have you kept reptiles,have you ever breed them??It was kinda folish to compare a fish. to a dog, to a snake ,but as every one knows each animal needs diferente or proper setting ,with foil personaly i hated to see my house full of lil tanks.Im just trying to help achive this what looks better what i got or what i had ?? To the person who started this thread what's your opinion?View attachment 728220What would you prefer?

 

[ScatMan]

Tin foil like others i went the low ball way,pexi can melt!!!

plexi can melt, but if you use an under-tank heater like you're supposed to, you won't have to worry about that. and if you must have a light, use low-temp lights like fluorescent or led. there is also glass, cut to size and sand the edges, also simple and cheap

Great to know he lives somewhere humid! Does that mean his house is humid????

yes, usually. but if it's not, i offered good advice to keep the humidity up.

He said display,not just a quick fix

i know what he said and i know he's on a budget, so an aquarium immediately springs to mind.

up,cats & dogs was a example...You want argumentive keep em coming

i don't want to argue, you do. i just wanted to point out the absurd position you were taking in respect to op's circumstances.

how long have you kept reptiles,

18 years +/-. you?

have you ever breed them??

yes: big bend milks, honduran milks, corns, cave dwelling rats, african house, checkered garters, western ribbon, and leopard geckos. you?

 

[ibz_rg]

Well I got one today. It's about 15" long, normal coloration. The tank is a 20-Long. Came with a half log, and a heating pad. I also bought a water bowl, a hydrometer, a thermometer, and some food. The store owner was feeding live small mice, but I got some frozen smalls. Today was its scheduled feeding time and the snake literally ate 10 minutes after getting it to my house. This snake is way more active and friendly than anyone has led on. I've heard that they need to be kept in the tank for about a week to get fully acclimated, but I've had it out twice today and it's doing great and being very inquisitive. Constantly flicking its tongue and searching new spaces. The tank is currently at an ambient temperature of 81F on the dark side, and 90F on the basking side. Humidity is currently sitting at about 55%. Everything is going well and as it should be. I will be taking it to the vet later this week or early next for a check-up. No worries.

 

[Aztec4mia]

First off congrats on your new addition, it sounds like everything is going good. There was a lot of good advice thrown around, and while there is no definite "right way" to do things and there are plenty of wrong ways, I’d figure I toss in my 2 cents on your set up based on my experiences. It seems like a very nice basic set up, I would turn the hide or block one side so the light is not shining in there bp's prefer the hides dark and as tight as possible. The "week" for them to acclimate is because the whole transition to a new home can be a little stressful on them (even captive bred snakes) generally means no handling, feeding etc..(It’s hard, I know) but he ate so that’s good, give him a couple days to chill out before you handle him again.

I would ditch the dingy hygrometer-thermometer-dial thingy (they really do suck), pay the 7 bucks and go to Wal-Mart and pick up one of those acurite thermometer w/ that come with a hygrometer( it's digital, easy to read and way more acurate) if you feel comfortable with the newspaper, keep it (as long as humidity is good) it works great, if you decide you want to go more natural I prefer cypress mulch( as long as it's 100% cypress, none of that blend crap, some are mixed with cedar and other woods which is BAD)

Your bp most likely going to stay hidden most of the day and come out during the evening (which is normal) usually a bp that is out all the time is A. hungry(not likely if fed regularly) or B. stressed and is looking for a secure place to hide (they usually are more inquisitive when you first get them, exploring and such for the first week or so) oh I would drop the hotspot a little, maybe 88-89 degrees, keep us updated on how his first shed goes.

I do prefer and keep all my bp's in a rack system, but aquariums can work.

Link shows what your looking for in a hygrometer
http://www.google.com/products/cata...a=X&ei=QN70TqHGGorRrQeorOntDw&ved=0CFAQ8wIwAA#

 

[ibz_rg]

Thanks for the info! He's been stationary under a plant for the past 36 hours or so, so I guess he's getting used to it. The tank is a little more "full" now, as I've added another hide, a hanging plant, and two climbing branches. One side of the tank is fairly dark, while the other side has the "hot hide". The newspaper is just a temporary substrate, and I will be changing it with coco husk. Everything is going a-okay right now!

 

[xjmike91]

i breed boas and kept many balls, honestly whatever you do is going to work as long as ur parameters are rite and its a decent size cage. Your 20long will work up untill full grown to be honest but you can upgrade if you want when it gets bigger. Most breeders keep em in sterilites smaller that that and they are perfectly healty but i like to give em some extra wiggle room becouse its just my preference and it never hurts to get alil extra space. Remember to keep the setup "simple stupid", dont over think or over crowd the setup and you will be perfect.