Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay, I'm finally going to get that snake I've always wanted (whenever I can find a break from studying).

For my first ball python enclosure, I was thinking of doing this:

I have a 20 gal long (30 inches) aquarium. I'm thinking of spraypainting the back and sides black, and coating it with some foam insulation or maybe just some wood to keep the heat in. I'm going to use bark (I know some kinds cannot be used) as a substrate, and then put two hiding places in it, one on the warm side and one on the cool side. I've heard that those things that you put under flowerpots make good hiding spots if you put a hole in the side. I don't know what you call them, but does anybody know what I'm talking about? Does anybody know how to put a nice hole in the side without shattering it? I'll also get a branch or something for it to climb on.

I've heard different things from different sources about heat. Some people say that a heat pad is sufficient, other say that you definately need a heat lamp. I've heard that you want to keep the temp between 80-90 (gradient) during the day and about 73-80 during the night. To do this, wouldn't you want a heat pad that stays on 24 hours a day, and a heat light that just stays on during the day? What size lights and heat pad should I buy? I guess if I use both, I would probably just need small ones. Also, should I put potentiometers into the circuits so that I can fine tune the temps?

I was planning on using a screen top. If I have a proper size water bowl, will the tank stay humid enough, or should I regulate the humidity by spraying it? How critical is the humidity?

In general, am I on the right track?

Thanks in advance for all the replies.

go to bigappleherp.com buy a vision model 221 for 95$.that should last a long time.

Don't spend two bones on a Vision cage, your set-up sounds fine but for a few things; 1. Screen top will not keep the much-needed humidity in the tank. Get a solid lid (glass, plexi, etc.) 2. Temps need to be between 90-95 on the GROUND of the hot spot, not 80-90. 3. A branch looks good, but for the most part is unecessary as ball pythons are not arboreal. Good luck.

If your going to use a screen top you'll need to cover about 2/3 of it to keep the humidity up. You can wrap it in plastic wrap or put a piece of plexi glass over it(that's what I have). As for heating pads, if you buy a retile one they sell them according to the size of your tank. Like I think they have a size that is for a 20-30 gallon tank. And humidity is pretty important for a BP, especially when they are going to shed.

might as well by that model 221 vision cage. it has everything your looking for. and is pretty cheap too. 95$...all you need is heat pad. holds humidity in really well.

I noticed that it doesn't have a place for a light, do I not need one?

Also, should I get a humidity meter to accurately measure the humidity?

I don't know what that vision cage will do for me because I already have the tank. I figure I'll keep it in the tank for a year or two and then build it a pretty nice enclosure on my own.

by all means if you have the tank keep it. i have a 30 gallon tank by BP is in right now. I have anout another 8 months before i should buy that vision i was tlaking about. And no, you dont NEED a light, but if you get one it will raise ambient temps. (id get a light for a screen top) personally heres what i did/do to my tank and got everything perfect.

I cut a rag/towel to fit over the cage and fit a 6 inch light dome over it. I dampened the towel and laid it on their, turned on the light (that was finished)

Then i got plastic flower pot from wal-mart (cost 98Cents)...i drilled a hole thru it, and put damp spaghum moss under it, and placed it in the tank. Then i spray my tank every couple of days when my humidity reads 60% it will riase it to 65-70% (perfect in my opinion) i use forest bark for the substrate and a 10 gallon Under tank heater. I use a black light bulb from the party section of walmart (2.99 compared to identical 7$ bulb in a reptile shop) that heats the air up to 80 all around, but ground temps get from 75 degrees in the cold part to 90 in the hide area. in the middle is 80-85 where the water dish is.

LeeForbes,
Do you have any pics of your tank? I'd love to see what it looks like.

I dont have any pics at the moment, but when i get them devolped (i dont have digicam) i will get them on a CD and send them to you thru email ASAP. im 15, so its hard to get things done that arent around the neighborhood i should have pics up by sunday im hoping.

LOL, I'm getting advice from a 15 year old!!!

J/K. I've been keeping fish my whole life, and to tell you the truth I probably knew a lot more about them back when I was 15. You have a lot less free time when you're 21.

You're lucky, when I was 15 my mom wouldn't let me have a snake.

Whenever you do get those pics up, they would definately be beneficial to me too.