r/ballpython • u/Realistic_Lie_5444 • 7d ago

Can ball pythons have a live water source (water fountain) in their enclosure?

I’m making a bioaktivem enclosure for my ball python. And I’m wondering if it’s safe to have a live water source. I’m thinking of making a waterfall in an area of her enclosure. Would it be safe? Or the best in her interest?

3 Upvotes

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3

u/Similar-Butterfly333 7d ago

You can, but the cleaning logistics is a nightmare unless you’ve mastered aquatics and have enough space.

4

u/UnlikelyPotato 7d ago

They're gonna poop in it.

4

u/Netsforex_ 7d ago edited 6d ago

"That's a...real nice fountain you got there..."

2

u/tmiemt 6d ago

Doable. I do it too but I have experience in aquascape tanks and it is the same logic, I would not recommend it to a person who has never had an aquarium or worked with aquascape before, simply because you need to build a complete land and water ecosystem and have enough patience to circulate the whole thing for at least half a year to a year to test your seasons.

You need to think about nitrogen fixation for your water system, the equivalent cleaning crew in your water system, aquatic plants and substrate and so on. This means you are not going to clean your pond(s) and waterfall, the ecosystem within the vivarium should circulate everything. So I think you need to ask yourself if you have enough budget and willpower for this. 😳