My Tank Setup. Good or bad?

My parent's finally gave in and let me get a snake. I've done some research, but I want to make sure this setup is okay for a cornsnake. I'm not positive what type of cornsnake it is, as the people at the petstore simply just called it a cornsnake. I'll post pictures when I get it, and see what kind it is. So here is the tank specs:

Tank: Glass 30 gallon aquarium
Hood: Screen w/ 5 latches
Substrate: Newspaper with Reptibark on top
Heat Supplier: Heat Lamp (It's warm here, don't need a UTH)
Decor:
->Cold Side: Piece of bogwood, wrapped silk plants around it, small hanging plant
->Hot Side: 3 Rocks with a small branch for climbing up them, large hanging plant
Water: Huge water dish. Big enough to fully submerge
Feeding: I have an extra box to feed it in. I have frozen pinkies already..

Anything else I would need?

Sounds pretty good so far. Just a few comments I have...

The 3 rocks on the warm side...are they stacked or arranged in a way that they can fall onto the snake and injure/trap it?

Heat Lamp: Personally, I would take it back and get a UTH. If it's warm enough not to need a UTH, then you don't need a heat lamp either. UTH's are a better option anyways.
I'm guessing MA is Massachusetts? If so, it's warm there now, but it will be cold. A UTH is the way to go for supplying heat, IMO.


It sounds like you have done some good research. Be careful with what the folks from the petstore tell you. Always cross-check it with the info here just to be safe. Good luck!

Yeah, i've questioned the knowledge of the petstores with fish (seeing that i'm REALLY into fish too..) and they are dumb with that. I'll look for a UTH, but for now do you think the lamp would be fine?

The rocks were actually one huge rock that was split (I broke it with a hammer) and I glued (non-toxic) them together, and to a piece of wood that'll be covered by the repti bark..

BTW, I have about 4 heat lamps. I've already had so many animals its to much to count. -.-;;

I have tons of decors and I didn't need to even go to the store besides to get the pinkies...

Do you have a good thermometer? By this I mean do you have a digital thermometer? The stick on ones are about worthless. You can find indoor/outdoor digitals as places like walmart for only around $7.

Once you've got a good thermometer, get temperature readings without the heat source. If the ambient temp isn't warm enough, the lamp will be okay until you get a UTH.

NOTE: I don't mean to imply that a lamp absolutely will not work. Some folks only use lamps. It's my opinion, and the opinion of many other keepers on this forum, that UTHs are a much better option. So feel free to stick with the lamp if you really want to.


The warm side temps should be in the low to mid 80's. The cool side can really be any temp as long as it doesn't go much below 70. I would say 70-75 is the desired range for the cool side.


If your warm side isn't in the suggested range you should use a heat source. If you get a UTH, you will need to regulate it in some way. Either a thermostat or a simple rheostat (dimmer switch) will work. Here's a cheap, easy rheostat that you can make at home --> http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19168&highlight=Rheostat
Please don't take this the wrong way, but I feel I'd be a bit negligent if I didn't suggest that you consult with a parent before messing with making an electrical device.

After you have the light on for a while, how hot is each side of the tank at substrate level? You want it to be about 75 on the cool side and around 85 on the hot side. Another thing you have to think about is that lamps tend to dry things out a lot faster than a UTH.

oops... was typing mine at same time as zwyatt lol

I have a digital thermometer. The cold side is usually 71-72 and the hot side is usually 81ish..

I guess I should get a UTH.

Oh, don't worry about me and electrial devices. I know more stuff than my dad. xD I put chairrails (i know there easy to put up...) in my room because my dad didn't know how and my grandpa was on vacation.

I'll probably just ask him for some help with the rheostat..

Thanks for the advice. ^^

I should have my snake in a week or two..

Good luck! And you're doing the best thing by getting it all straightened out before you ever bring him/her home.

Looks good, although I dse no mention of hides. Don't forget at least 2 hides, one on each side. And if you are using fish decotations, watch for hollow insides that the snake can crawl into and be very hard to get out.

WHen you do get a uth dont forget a rheostat (lamp dimmer) or thermostat to control it cause they always get too hot without some kind of regulation