Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got this girl yesterday and she is my first big Ball Python. She is well over 4 ft long and is a rescue.
I have her in a glass tank with a screened top lid but she is really strong. What size weights do I have to put on top to keep her from getting out? Can she push on the lid with as much force as she can constrict? Do I have to use cinder blocks to keep her in or will something a bit lighter work?

You would be surprised at just how strong a 4 foot BP can be! I would suggest that you either change your tank to a viv with sliding glass doors, or get yourself a couple of webbing straps to anchor the top down with.

No no no!!! LOL She maybe strong but all you need are the little clips for that screen top. You should be able to buy them where you bought the screen top. Otherwise put a 5lb weight on the sides.
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John Light
Pristine Pythons
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From strap her in to clips.
The tank is an oceanic tank vented for reptiles but the top was broken and I got it used. I built a top that fits into a recessed groove on top. I made a wooden frame and have attached a heavy metal screen to it. The top just sets into the groove and sits on top. i have placed two cinder blocks on top. one on either side. Is that enough weight to keep her in? Is it overkill. She is very strong when constricting but I was wondering if that same strength works in a pushing motion to remove the lid or just for constricting?

it's overkill times 10! Aquariums are actually horriable enclosures. Anyways she may be strong but a normal top with some little clips would work fine. A picture would help. Like I said I have adult females in sterilites with snap on tops. Think there is 10lbs of force there? I don't think so.
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John Light
Pristine Pythons
ristinePythons@Hotmail.com" target="_blank">Contact Me

I will exchange them for something I can lift! Maybe a nice anvil or something! LOL

LOL maybe if you were keeping burms or retics!!!
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John Light
Pristine Pythons
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I agree about the clips. First, pay $5.99 and buy a screen top that fits over and around (not inside) the tank. Then pay $2.99 for some metal clips. You can find both of these items at your friendly neighborhood pet store.

But...a better solution would be to ditch the clear glass aquarium.

Chris
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They don't make a screen top to fit it. It is an old Oceanic tank with nice vented sides made for herps but the top (which was a sliding screen top so one side could be opened at a time)
broke several years ago. It is a 24 square tank and tall enough for two layers because I built up a second layer using branches and a plexi shelf I made. It's roomy and not bad looking so I would rather make some kind of top myself since the tank is attractive.

This tank came with a corn I took in.

Does the new top you made sit on a lip like this??

If so this is what the last owner did.

Drill a hole and put in a nail or whatever you want in each corner. The nail slides in flush with the tank, I pulled it out for the photo.

Hope that helps
TomChambers

Thanks SO MUCH! I will give that a try.

Lifting heavy objects gets old fast, especially when you’re going in the tank daily.

TomChambers