Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK...I have a 135 gallon tank that I am setting up for a baby ball python....The main thing I am unsure of is what to do for heating....should I do under-tank heating pads ... or lamps with heat lights or ceramic elements.... Mind you this tank is 6ft long and 2ft. tall so I guess that it will need some serious wattage... I dont konw if it makes a difference but I am going to use repti-bark as a substrate...

why on earth are you using such a huge tank? do you know how much reptibark your gonna need? go buy a 20L tank for $25...it will be good for a year or two. use an uth and keep temps 84 to 88.
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1.0 Cranwelli Horned Frog
0.1 Ornate Horned Frog
1.0 '05 Snow Corn Snake from SMR
0.1 '05 Ball Python

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So your going to put a baby ball into a 135 gallon aquarium.... People are afraid of putting there baby ball in a 40Gl or 50Gl but a 135 is way to big to a baby ball. You should atleast set up dividers and give him only 3 feet of space at the most to move or he will most likely become severely stressed. A 135GL is uneeded for a baby ball but you probably will not listen so no need in preaching.

As for putting a baby in a 135....Its a tank that dosnt hold water so I figured I would put it to good use.... I was planning on putting quite a bit of hides and cover in there so it would feel like a smaller tank for him... I didnt realize it would be that big of a problem for him.... are there any other suggestions on what I could put in that size tank that would be good for life in there... I was hoping for a snake but will take other suggestions if they are offered..

Get a Boa Constrictor Imperator

If the baby is thriving in a 135 gallon, why is it an accepted no no to put them in it?

I understnad if they dont thrive but what if they are thriving and doing just fine?

Whats the harm?

I understand that the snake will not feel safe in such an open area...thats why I was going to do a large piece of wood... quite a few hides and two water dishes...I thought that would be the best that I could do for him/her

If you want to do it then do it, no ones holding your hands back. If the snake feels secure and everything that is needed is applied then go for it. But if it hides all the time,hisses,will not eat then you know why. I would suggest a 32watt undertank heater. But serriously I've never heard of anyone putting a baby ball python into a 135GL tank thats why I didn't like the idea. But then again it is YOUR snake and not mine so I will stop. Also a 60w basking bulb supplemented with the undertank heating pad wouldn't hurt.

If you really want to use it for your ball... you can... provide a LOT of hides, a few water sources (3 ) and with such a big cage, you could have some feeding issues, forceps with f/t or freshly killed prey would be the best way... and with all the hides, you will most likely see your snake once a week when its fed... I just think for both you and your snake if you kept it in a 20 long, especially if its a male... that will probably barley top 4'

It's just as likely that your snake will be fine as it is that it will stress - stress is very dependant on the snake - some stress easily some don't. If you provide adequate temperatures, hiding places, water, etc. you could very well provide a fine home for your little one. Be forwarned that large tanks (especially glass ones) are extremely hard to regulate proper temperatures and humidity. For my large tank I have a large UTH for belly heat and I run heat cable under the substrate for help with the ambient temperature. Seems to work well for my tank but it's a bit smaller than yours (4' x 2' x 2'). I would keep a very close watch on your snake if it shows signs of stress - pull it and set it up in a rubbermaid! Or find yourself an adult to put in there instead. If you have your heart set on a baby - then start it out for a few months in a rubbermaid and then move it.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi - yeah I know but my kids love the book)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.2 frogs rescued from pool skimmer

I don't really recommend that you put a baby in that tank but if you are going to do it - best to do it as appropriate as possible.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi - yeah I know but my kids love the book)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.2 frogs rescued from pool skimmer

I dont want to stress it out and dont want to take that big of a chance...It wouldnt be the animals fault that it was put into those conditions... what am I looking at price wise for and adult "normal" ball or even a red tail from a breeder...I dont want to go with my lfs..they dont seem like they have a clue

A normal BCI would be 60-125 and a normal ball python, adult female would cost 500 because everyone is looking for adult females, adult males, I'd say 100 tops. If you really want to get something special, get a salmon boa, they are at the "pet" price level (275ish) and you'll be the only one on the block with one!

Get yourself a Savannah monitor. Those get pretty big, eat rats, and can become dog tame. They are really messy, and you couldn't really decorate it very nicely, he'd just tear it up.

Or you could get yourself a small colony of bearded dragons, I bet you could put 3 or 4 in there, although, I'm not expert on them. Ask in the Bearded dragon forum, I suppose there is one, if not, lizards in general. That's a pretty impressive sized tank, I think it would be a waste to use it for a ball python. With Beardies, you could decorate it real nice with a desert type scene, those things look pretty cool, if you have time to maintaince a lizard.
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1.1 Ball Python (normals, he said proudly)
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3.5 hatchling ball pythons minus 0.2
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Why were talking about other reptiles to put into that tank. Would that tank be good for bloods?

I have a few tanks like that laying around, and have been looking a bloods latey, still need to do a lot of reading, and talking to those that have them, but thought I would ask.

Thanks.

But since the question was asked and I'd rather the person have some info:

You could use a large tank like that for a Blood. A couple things will potentially be of issue: Heat and humidity. I would suggest belly heat and a deep substrate for a tank (likely Cypress Mulch). Hide box over the heat and a LARGE water container to soak in. You may have to cover most of the top/lid with say plastic bag or visquene (spelling?!) during a shed cycle or you can simply place the snake in a large (tall) rubbermaid container with water during the shed cycle (what I've been doing lately only for my adults). One thing that WILL be difficult with a large tank like that will be cleaning. Bloods typically only stool once every few weeks or longer (up to months), but they urinate (liquid) frequently. They alternately pass uric acid crystal (literally stones with Bloods) about the same interval as stool. Therefore, it may be tough to keep up with a substrate that gathers a lot of liquid urate in a relatively short period of time. Personally, I like Freedom Breeder racks because I can take the whole tub out and clean it rather easily more frequently. Hope this helps some... I'm pretty tired this morning, so if anything does not make sense my apologies.

Matt

>>Why were talking about other reptiles to put into that tank. Would that tank be good for bloods?
>>I have a few tanks like that laying around, and have been looking a bloods latey, still need to do a lot of reading, and talking to those that have them, but thought I would ask.
>>
>>Thanks.

Would any size ball fit into this size tank...or should I just forget the idea of a ball and this tank completly...

Ball Pythons are my absolute favorite snake, but with a tank that size I would put something in there that would get alot bigger than a ball. Just my 2 cents.
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1.3 leopard geckos
0.0.1 crested gecko
0.0.1 ball python
2.4 fancy rats
0.1 cat
1.0 dog
www.strikeferalchildren.net

I know several people have yelled at you already so I will not do that!

You can put your baby ball in a 10-15 gallon until it has outgrown this, then into a permanent home of approx 35-50 gallons (enclosure not a tank is better).

Use that 135 sucker for a big lizard or something! lol

PS. about 3 feet of heat tape on a dimmer should do it for heating the 135..... a tiny 8"x8" will heat a 15 gallon

Please repeat after me:
NO LIGHTS ARE NEEDED FOR THE SNAKE.

LIGHTS ARE A FIRE HAZARD, DRY OUT THE AIR AND ARE UNNECESSARY.

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1.0 gorgeous spider ball python
2.2 het for axanthic
5.20 normals
Blazingreptiles.comup & running!

Why not get a piece of glass and divide the tank in two?
Then you can house another ball python it.
2 snakes, one tank, no added stress!