I HOPE I DIDN'T GET SCREWED

All in all I think I did ok but I have heard different here is a list of the things that I have bought and the end amount spent on everything. I am looking to see what you think if it is a resonable amount. Here it goes.
Tank was free from my mom. 30 by 12 (20L)

stuff i bought:
tank lid
aspen bedding
hide
two lamps
UV bulb
heat bulb
pool/water bowl
tank lid clamps
thermomator
total: 133

SNAKE: $67

Final Total: $200 all in

Okay I've got a few questions for you mate. Although overall that seems fine, there are a couple of things I'd like to point out.

1. TBH, there wasn't really a huge need to purchase a UV bulb. Corn snakes don't need UV to metabolise calcium, only reptiles such as Bearded Dragons need such bulbs.

2. To make your snake feel more secure, at least two hides is recommended, one for each side of the tank.

3. What morph did you buy? That could help us establish whether the price you paid was a fair one.

4. When you say two lamps what do you mean? Because you already have a heat lamp, so what are the other two for.

5. Finally, if you haven't already got one (I can't see from the list), I'd consider getting a thermostat. Bulbs and UTH's can easily overheat and literally 'cook' your snake. In order to achieve the right temperature, you should be looking at getting a dimmer stat for your bulb/s. The temps should be 80-85 on the warm side and 70-75 on the cool side. However, the warm side can go over by a few degrees if its a hatchling, as the higher temperature helps them digest more efficiently at that age.

All in all the set-up seems okay, although a UTH would have been preferable, heat lamps do the job provided that you monitor and maintain them correctly.

Hope that helps

David

Well Corns don't need UV, so that was unnecessary.

You need a thermostat to regulate the heat. I assume you're going to use the light(s) as the heat source, so you'll need a thermostat designed to work with bulbs.

You also need guards for whatever bulbs you use, so the snake can't come into contact with them.

Also more hides - minimum two, one at each end. But basically the more the merrier. You can go the cheap/disposable route to start with, using cardboard boxes and the like. That'll save some cash.

I'm in the UK, so I can't really comment about the cost.

Hope that helps.

Apart from the unnecessary items already mentioned, it doesn't sound like way too much. Can you return the lamps/bulbs for an under tank heater (UTH)? I know the aspen alone in a large bag can be $10 and buying stuff from a pet store you're bound to pay a little too much. I always tell people that it's the initial set up that's costly, maintenance is cheap.

dionythicus said:

Apart from the unnecessary items already mentioned, it doesn't sound like way too much. Can you return the lamps/bulbs for an under tank heater (UTH)? I know the aspen alone in a large bag can be $10 and buying stuff from a pet store you're bound to pay a little too much. I always tell people that it's the initial set up that's costly, maintenance is cheap.

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well i cant return it for that because he says hes against UTH's and he refuses to sell them. But this is the same guy that sells heat rocks by the dozen he has them in the tanks with the display snakes and he was trying to tell me that, that was one of the best things for a corn snake but others it will hurt them. but I WILL GET MY MONEY BACK I ASSURE YOU!!! He tried to screw me out of 60 bucks or so today so i dont think he will get my business anymore.

Sounds like your best bet is to take everything you bought there back. You have the reciept, and none of it has been used yet, so get a full refund and take your business elsewhere.

I know Columbia isn't exactly "rural" but "rural" isn't all that far from you. Find a feed store, and you can probably find a big bale of aspen for cheap. If you're concerned about any pests in it, you can always do a variety of things to rid it of any bugs. If I were in that spot, I'd probably take the cheap 20 quart stainless stock pot I got somewhere a long time ago and fill it with the aspen, put the lid on, and bake it in the oven at 250 for an hour. Too hot for bugs to survive, but too low to ignite it.

I agree in taking back the lights for sure and maybe most of the rest. No hot rocks, please! I'm sure you know that. Is there a Petco or Petsmart anywhere near you? You can even order things online and prevent that moron from getting your business.

To give you and idea im starting from scratch too. here is what i have spent

20L viv 43 bucks
UTH
Thermostat 500R
Hide
thermomter with probe
temp and humidty guage
all for 55 shipped bought online

picked up another hide water bowl and aspen for about 20

so i got everything but the snake for about 120.

bsr8129 said:

so i got everything but the snake for about 120.

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You're doing better than me! I'm setting up four bins to go in a rack, and running about $75 in "decorations" for each one! (Water bowl, $10, three-four silk plants, $30-$40, three hides, $35)

Nanci

You do need thermometers!

I prefer to make my own hides from klenex boxes and other small discarded boxes. Just don't use tape, it tends to get stuck to the snake (not lethal I don't think, but likely annoying!).

Nanci said:

You're doing better than me! I'm setting up four bins to go in a rack, and running about $75 in "decorations" for each one! (Water bowl, $10, three-four silk plants, $30-$40, three hides, $35)

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You can get those at the dollar store (6 footers).

With bendy wire???

Thanks!

Nanci the vine lover