• Hello!

    Either you have not registered on this site yet, or you are registered but have not logged in. In either case, you will not be able to use the full functionality of this site until you have registered, and then logged in after your registration has been approved.

    Registration is FREE, so please register so you can participate instead of remaining a lurker....

    Please be certain that the location field is correctly filled out when you register. All registrations that appear to be bogus will be rejected. Which means that if your location field does NOT match the actual location of your registration IP address, then your registration will be rejected.

    Sorry about the strictness of this requirement, but it is necessary to block spammers and scammers at the door as much as possible.

40 Gallon to Small for a hatchling? I need a direct answer :)

TriggerHappy101

TriggerHappy101

New member
I've been talking to a bunch of people in the chat rooms and they all have different opinions on if a 40 gallon breeder (36x18x16) tank (by Critter Cage) is to large for a hatchling corn. Some people say that a 40 gallon is fine as long as I offer many hides and multiple water sources. Others say the hatchling will be very stressed (even though it has many hides) and in return will be snippy and won’t eat.

It would be nice to only have to buy one cage – save money on the wallet.

Another question… How long will a corn snake outgrow a 10gallon (20x10x12)? And how long will it take to outgrow a 20gallon long (30x12x12)?

Thanks guys! This forum, and chatroom have been a lot of help! Thanks
:wavey:
 
I think it is definitly fine, just be sure to give the corn at least one hide on the warm and one on the cool side of the tank. As long as you do that and give the corn plenty of time to adjust without trying to handle, I dont think it will be too stressfull at all.
 
Myself personaly, id think that 40 may be a bit to large. Id get a 20gal to start with if you wanted to save on cost. Then when your corn gets larger (and you can afford it) move him to the 40.

From what i understand, a corn can live its whole life in a 20. So, you wouldnt be throwing the money away. And hey... once he moves out of the 20, youll have room for another one!
 
I have my baby boa in a 40g breeder and it is quite large, BUT, I feel it would be fine for your hatchling as long as you do what has been suggested and add multiple hides and water sources. I have a hatchling in a 20g with 4 hides, including a "humid hide" and some climbing branches hidden with some very bushy fake greenery. That may be overkill but my little ghost seems quite happy and secure there. I guess what I am saying is if you put as many hides as you can safely fit in the tank I can't see why you would have any problems. Let us know what you decide on and post a picture if you can.
 
The biggest problem with a 40 gallon tank for a hatchling is that it will be hard to get a lid to fit tightly enough to prevent escape. Hatchlings are small but can still climb and all corns seem to love to hang out along the plastic lip at the top of aquariums. With a 36 inch long tank, the typical lid will have a lot of 'give' along that length. Even the smallest corn will be able to push the lid up and squeeze out the side. I wouldn't risk it.

Not many corns can really live in a 20 gallon tank their whole life - a 40 gallon is a good size for an adult - and some of our adults are in custom built cages because they outgrew the 40 gallon size.

If cost is a problem - consider buying a $5 shoebox size plastic tub, add holes around the edges and a heat source under one end - upgrade to a sweater-box size within 3-6 months and then move him up to the 40 gallon when he is a year old. There are some brands with very secure lids - and with hatchling corns - keeping them securely enclosed is the biggest issue.

good luck with your new corn,


mary v.
 
Since they are generally designed for larger critters, definitely make sure that your hatchling cannot escape... they can get through very small spaces.

Apart from that, I would at least try it out. Lots of hides would be wise. Also a substrate that he can tunnel in, and deep enough for him to tunnel, would be good. I would even leave some pieces of flat cardboard strewn about so he can hide anywhere and everywhere. Too bad they don't make little car hoods you could stick in there. ;)

If he seems stressed and/or won't eat, you can buy a shoebox or a small ziploc sandwich container, poke/drill/burn some air holes into it, and have him live in there most of the time (or only during feeding time, etc) and let him prowl the 40 for exercise. If you do that, just make sure you aren't cooking him by putting the smaller box onto the hot side.
 
The critter cage has the sliding lid so that is fine, I have one of mine in a 30 long breeder and it seemed quite large so I can imagine trying to outfit a 40 with multiple hides, branches, and greenery. as he got bigger I raided his viv to outfit my smaller ones as my collection grew. The other thing is space, if you plan on getting more, (what am I saying, of course you'll get more), real estate becomes a problem and you'll start thinking of where your going to fit the other tanks.... :grin01:
 
I started three of my hatchlings in 40 gallon tanks, and none have seemed stressed or developed feeding problems. I have a hatchling now in a 40 gallon, and she has 8 hides plus vines and leaves and two water bowls. She must be feeling pretty secure, because she's never missed a meal and has presented me with a perfect shed this very day.

The point about hatchlings escaping is a very valid one. Even the sliding lid on the Critter Cage has enough give for a hatchling to slip out. I used a wire sandwich tie on the cage lock until the snake got too big to fit through the space. My converted fish tanks have aquarium sealant plugging every possible gap.

The only drawback to a large tank is that sometimes I have to take out every hide and dig through all the substrate to find my baby. But that's a small price to pay, as far as I'm concerned.
 
BeckyG said:
I started three of my hatchlings in 40 gallon tanks, and none have seemed stressed or developed feeding problems. I have a hatchling now in a 40 gallon, and she has 8 hides plus vines and leaves and two water bowls. She must be feeling pretty secure, because she's never missed a meal and has presented me with a perfect shed this very day.

The point about hatchlings escaping is a very valid one. Even the sliding lid on the Critter Cage has enough give for a hatchling to slip out. I used a wire sandwich tie on the cage lock until the snake got too big to fit through the space. My converted fish tanks have aquarium sealant plugging every possible gap.

The only drawback to a large tank is that sometimes I have to take out every hide and dig through all the substrate to find my baby. But that's a small price to pay, as far as I'm concerned.
Click to expand...


I have my 10 month old ghost in a 20 gal. and I still have to remove everything and dig for him sometimes :D So either way I would say just go with a 40 gal. so you only have to invest money for a tank once and just fill it with all kinds of hides and fake leaves like BeckyG does.

Good luck with your new buddy!! :wavey:
 
okay guys. I think i will just purchase the 40 gallon and be done with it (that way i dont have to buy new UTH when i upgrade from a 10 or a 20). It will be a critter cage so it has a sliding screen and can be locked so escape should be rather hard.

My next question is on what UTH to get. People have suggested to me to get the "T-Rex" large. And there was another one but I dont remeber its name (i have it bookmarked at home.)

Can I put these UTH's agaisnt a wood table? People have told me to buy a cermamic floor tyle and rest the UTH ontop of that so there is some space between the glass and the UTH.

:) Thanks again people for the help - you guys are really nice.
 
You can do the ceramic tile thing if you think you will ever change vivs. Lots of people do it that way so they can move the UTH to another tank, or to help regulate the heat. I prefer a lamp dimmer for heat regulation, though--or a thermostat. Anyway, most UTHs have little rubber feet to put on the bottom of your tank so that it is not resting directly on the wood. I've also got one of mine elevated on 1" square art gum erasers.

As far as brands go, I think it's a personal preference. I have both Zoo Med and T-Rex, and I prefer the T-Rex. A large one would be good for a 40 gallon.
 
BeckyG said:
You can do the ceramic tile thing if you think you will ever change vivs. Lots of people do it that way so they can move the UTH to another tank, or to help regulate the heat. I prefer a lamp dimmer for heat regulation, though--or a thermostat. Anyway, most UTHs have little rubber feet to put on the bottom of your tank so that it is not resting directly on the wood. I've also got one of mine elevated on 1" square art gum erasers.

As far as brands go, I think it's a personal preference. I have both Zoo Med and T-Rex, and I prefer the T-Rex. A large one would be good for a 40 gallon.
Click to expand...

Okay thanks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top