Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What's the easiest set up? I only have one ball python and just want something simple. How long will a 15 qt sweaterbox last me? Do you need 2 hides? I think it would be pretty hard to have a hide on the warm side, a hide on the cold side, and a water dish all in a 15 qt sweaterbox. I was also wondering about heating pads. I've read that human heating pads are one of the easiest and best to use. Are there any fire hazards with these? Can I place it directly on wood? Also if there is a particular heating pad that you would recommend feel free to share. Thanks in advance.

In a sweater box one hide should be enough. I would not use a human heating pad. Get under the tank heat pad and tape it to the sweater box. I have use this before and it worked fine. I would day up to a year old for this size. Really for a couple more dollars I would just buy a bigger one. Best of luck.

If I were you, I would go ahead and buy a pre-made sweaterbox rack system. They will hold 4 or more balls. If you ever plan on getting anymore, then you will be all set up. I like rbiplastics.com, but lots of others are nice also. Some also have shipping included; which is great. Most come with heat. I would also suggest getting the 32qt. This will comfortably hold most balls. I personally try to wean all my snakes from hides. One would suffice, if you wanted one. You will need a thermostat, to control the flexwatt. I would suggest a proportional. I like herpstat, but others will work also. This may sound like a lot, but it is worth it in the end. Hope this helps.

Something simple and something adequate are two totally different things. If you want sweaterbox cages, get a small rack to put it in. Otherwise, buy a proper set up. If you want to skate by on that, I hate to see what other part of husbandry you will take a shortcut on. In this hobby, if you buy a normal ball python your setup costs more than the snake. If you can't afford the setup that you have to have to keep the animal, then you probably don't have enough to feed it regularly or pay for a good captive born and bred animal. Wait till you have the money to do it properly. You and your snake will be much happier.
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Happy Herping,
Jody Barnes
Royal Kreationz

1.0 albino
3.4 het albino
1.0 het caramel
0.2 poss het caramel
1.0 het pied
0.1 poss het. pied
0.4 normals (beautiful pastel sibs)

Money is not a problem, I'm just frugal lol. What's the difference if I put the sweaterbox in a rack or not? If I decide to go with the rack, how exactly does the heat tape work? What should I do to avoid a fire hazard? If I don't go with the rack, has anyone else heard of using a human heating pad?

buy a 3 0r 4 tub rack from animal plastics. The heat tape is prewired and laid in a groove. all you do is plug it into a thermostat and go. you will have to have a helix or similar thermostat or you will overheat your snakes. look under cages in the business section, find one you like, and set up the animal right. I wasn't trying to be rude, but I don't think a sweater box with a lid on it on a dresser is a very good habitat.
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Happy Herping,
Jody Barnes
Royal Kreationz

1.0 albino
3.4 het albino
1.0 het caramel
0.2 poss het caramel
1.0 het pied
0.1 poss het. pied
0.4 normals (beautiful pastel sibs)

There is nothing wrong with just using a plastic tub with a lid on it -- as long as you use the proper equipment to go with it. Human heating pads are NOT appropriate for reptile use -- they tend to short out and overheat or cause fires. To work with the plastic tub, you'll need an undertank heat pad -- preferably Zoo Med or something similar. Then you'll need a thermostat to control it -- preferably a Helix, Herpstat, or Ranco. You will also need a digital thermometer with probe to monitor the temperatures -- or at least a temp gun. Add appropriate subtrate, 2 hides, a water dish, and you're good to go. Oh, and don't forget to put some holes in the tub for air circulation.

Plastic tubs are better than using tanks -- they maintain heat and humidity better and the snakes feel safer in them. If you only have one snake, you don't need to buy a $300 rack. That's unnecessary. If your snake is a baby, the 15qt. will be fine for a little while, but I recommend going with a 27qt. instead as it will give the snake more room and allow you to have 2 proper hides in there.

Good luck!
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~* Jen *~

Pink Lady Constrictors

If you do get a rack, you don't always have to use Flexwatt heat tape -- Animal Plastics makes their racks with heat cable and that's why I use them exclusively. It tucks down into a pre-cut groove in the shelves and provides great belly heat without all the complicated wiring and fire risk.
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~* Jen *~

Pink Lady Constrictors