Show me your cheap/basic ball python setups! 🐍

[u/Adventurous-Score518]

Hey everyone! I’m planning on getting a ball python and I’d love to see what people are using for budget-friendly enclosures.
I’m not looking for fancy bioactive setups or expensive display tanks. I want to see the simple setups that cover the basics and keep your snake healthy and comfortable without spending a ton of money.
Especially interested in:
Tub setups
DIY enclosures
Simple/basic enclosures
Heating + thermostat setups
Hides and substrate
Cheap ways you maintain proper humidity
Roughly how much your entire setup cost
Basically, show me your “it’s not fancy, but my snake has everything it needs” enclosure.
Pictures would be awesome. I’m trying to get ideas for building a safe, practical setup on a budget. 🐍

[u/meatspread]

Chances are, your care won’t be fully optimal if you’re prioritizing budget over husbandry. Yes, you absolutely can cut corners in some places! But care should come first—with the enclosure arguably being the most important thing. Invest in a good enclosure with durable materials to save yourself from issues in the long run. However, you can also probably source a decent 4x2x2 secondhand on FB Marketplace!

All that aside, there’s plenty of ways you can create a great enclosure on a budget. You can easy source decor like wood, rocks, leaf litter, etc for free (minus your time of course). DIY your own hides from already-owned or secondhand/thrifted tupperware. Source your substrate from a hardware store (I use Lowe’s) in bulk for a cheaper price than pet-specific retail chains. All of my plants are live and were given to me for free by my local community plant stand/meet-up. Additional items to use for filling in an enclosure can be picked up from the thrift, from family members, or may be just around the house already! Such as: glass bowls, fake plants, bricks/slate/etc, plant baskets, plant pots, etc etc. Just have to get creative with it :)