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Setting up a new Viv, few questions.

D

djvkut

New member
Hello everyone, I am new to this forum and snakes in general. I recently got a job at Petco and have been working in the aquatics/reptile area. This has given me my first opportunity to handle snakes and I basically fell in love right away. Over the past two weeks I have been reading a lot about Corn Snakes as I don't want to get one until I know how to properly care for them. I feel I am ready to start setting up a new Viv while still learning about Corns so this basically brings me to my question.

This is a list of the things I was going to buy and was just curious what everyone thought about my selections and if anyone had any recommendations. I plan to get a hatchling so this stuff is what I am going to use until he outgrows it.

Habitat: 10 Gallon All-Glass Aquarium Snug-Fit Critter Cage

Thermometer/Humidity Gauge: Accurite Probe Thermometer/Hydrometer from Wal-mart

Substrate: For the substrate I know I want to use Aspen but I was thinking of maybe doing half the tank with the normal Aspen and half with the Aspen Sani-Chips. Would this half and half thing work out ok? Would it just be easier to stick with one kind for the whole tank? Also, I really am not sure how much to get for a 10 gallon.

Heating/Lighting: This is another part I'm not too sure on. It seems like most people go for the UTH. For the UTH, are the Exo-Terra Heat Wave Terrarium Substrate Heaters better than the Zoo Med Repti-Therm UTH Under Tank Heaters? If I get an UTH would I need to get an Incandescent basking light also? Is one better than the other? I was thinking of going for either the 4 or 8 watt Zoo Med UTH along with a Lighting .

Feeding Tub: 15q Sterilite tub, would this be suitable for feeding?

Other: 2 Hides, one for each side of the temperature gradient I will try to create, piece of driftwood or something for climbing, water dish, misting bottle

That's all I can think of now. Thanks in advance for any replies !
 
Hi there,
I glad you setting up your Viv before you pick out a corn.
I'll try to answer the best I can so....

-The Viv size is good for a hatchling to ...one year, just try to get one with a snap lock.
-Accurate probe is good.
- Stick with aspen and use only one substrate, easy to deal with only one.
-Uth...buy one that will cover i/3 of the bottom of tank. Use no light for heat source. Corn need more "belly" heat than anything else. The uses of a light is more for your use than the snake.
- yes a sterilite tub with a secure ,vented lid is good. I'm still using a brown paper bag until my younger grows out of his ten gallon tank.
- the hide and all are right too. Also used cardboard paper towels rolls and small cardboard boxes (used food boxes) are good too.
And here two links to read up until you made a decision on you snake.

http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28341
http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28342

Good Luck to you and keep us posted.
 
Im not sure if the UTH brand maters. I have Zoo med. It seems to work fine. However i did notice you did not mention a rheostat or thermostat. I have found that either of these are essential. The heat pads do not regulate their own temp and climb well over 100 F. Rheostats (aka: Dimmer Switch) are fairly cheap at Wally World (i think mine was $7). Thermostats are bit more expensive. My local PetCo sells them for around $40. The main diffrence between the 2 is that a thermostat will shut the pad off once it reaches a certain temp and back on if that temp drops. The rheostat basicly lets you adjust the temp, however the pad is on at all times. You will need to play with it regualrly to keep your temps right.

The other thing i would recomend is some fake plants. Wally World has plenty of these also. The move cover you provide the safer your new little buddy will feel (and if he feels safer, your more likely to see him out and about).
 
Howdy!
I use a Zoo med mini (I think its 4 watt) under my 10 gallon tank for heat It covers between a third and a half. I think the small size is too big for a 10 gallon. Don't use another heat source or it will be too hot. I've never had a problem with the Zoo med "spiking" or getting too hot. You can put one piece of paper on it (on top of the glass and under the bedding) to diffuse the heat a bit and so the corn doesn't dig and burn its belly on hot glass. I did notice that the Zoo med's temp's vary slightly. (One of mine is a little hotter than the other.) I haven't used a thermostat/rheostat - whatever, because the pads temp has been constant, and if I want to turn it off for the afternoon - I just turn it off manually. I do intend on getting a good thermometer soon though, so I can keep an eye on optimal temps.
 
I also commend you for researching and setting up your tank before getting your snake. Pretty much everything you've been told so far is good advice. I just want to add a couple of things--don't worry about getting too much aspen. Get the biggest bag they have. It's usually cheaper in bulk, and you'll use it all eventually.

I have both Zoo Med and Exo terra UTHs. I prefer the Exo Terra, but I think it's just a matter of personal preference. Definitely DO get a thermostat or rheostat for your UTH. Unregulated, my UTHs can get up to 130' in the summertime--even the Zoo Med.

One more thing, if it were me, I'd go ahead and get my corn's lifetime tank and put tons of hides in there. Saves having to buy a new hide when the snake gets older.
 
BeckyG said:
One more thing, if it were me, I'd go ahead and get my corn's lifetime tank and put tons of hides in there. Saves having to buy a new hide when the snake gets older.
Click to expand...

So by this do you mean I should just skip getting the 10 gallon and upgrading later? Should I go ahead and just buy a 29 gallon now or?
 
djvkut said:
So by this do you mean I should just skip getting the 10 gallon and upgrading later? Should I go ahead and just buy a 29 gallon now or?
Click to expand...

Yes, basically. Corn adults need a 20L tank. But the the minimal size.
Your call on tank size, whatever fits in your house. But like she said you need more hides and "cover" leaves or something.

Good Luck :cheers:
 
If you're going to be getting a hatchling starting out with a 29 gal is a bit much..
You might end up with a snake that has feeding problems.

Working at petco you must see the plastic kritter keepers in stock.. Getting one of those for your snake for while he's young will be a lot cheaper than buying a 10gal glass aquarium, and you'll probably (at least this is true in my experience) see your snake out more. Once the snake has outgrown the kritter keeper and is already an established eater move up to a larger viv.

ps Welcome. :wavey:
 
GiantBlueberry said:
If you're going to be getting a hatchling starting out with a 29 gal is a bit much..
You might end up with a snake that has feeding problems.

Working at petco you must see the plastic kritter keepers in stock.. Getting one of those for your snake for while he's young will be a lot cheaper than buying a 10gal glass aquarium, and you'll probably (at least this is true in my experience) see your snake out more. Once the snake has outgrown the kritter keeper and is already an established eater move up to a larger viv.

ps Welcome. :wavey:
Click to expand...

Sorry if this is a dumb question but I am just curious why the snake might end up with feeding problems if I started with a 20L/29? If I feed the snake in a seperate tub at all times how does the size of his "home" affect that? Not trying to say you are wrong or anything, just not sure heh.
 
djvkut said:
Sorry if this is a dumb question but I am just curious why the snake might end up with feeding problems if I started with a 20L/29? If I feed the snake in a seperate tub at all times how does the size of his "home" affect that? Not trying to say you are wrong or anything, just not sure heh.
Click to expand...

This is the "general rule". Hatchling should be in smaller container because it's less stressfull. they prefer not being in the wide open. And filling your Viv with branches vines and fakes leaves and hides is great until you have to start to clean and sanitizes them. But I do understand your point. Very well. It's just that if the snake is less stressed when you try to feed, the better the chance of it eatting. It's still suggested to feed in a small container. to make the snake concentrate on the food. I say it's you call on the size of Viv.
Just heed the warning and know that you should have plenty of hides and such. I think, they are all general rules (guildline) and you can stray from them after you get more experienced with your snake.

Good Luck :cheers:

Good Luck
 
Hi!
I have a couple of my hatchlings in a Lee's large critter keeper type "breeder" box. The insert is useless (a corn can get over one), but the box is a good size for baby corn housing, and feeding later when you upgrade. Oh yeah, and I bought mine at Petco.
:cheers:
 
Oops! They're called Lee's Herp Haven Large Breeder Box. At around $15.99 they should do for at least a year, and can be used for feeding later. Should a suggestion. Of course ten gallons are prettier.
 
Lennycorn said:
This is the "general rule". Hatchling should be in smaller container because it's less stressfull. they prefer not being in the wide open. And filling your Viv with branches vines and fakes leaves and hides is great until you have to start to clean and sanitizes them. But I do understand your point. Very well. It's just that if the snake is less stressed when you try to feed, the better the chance of it eatting. It's still suggested to feed in a small container. to make the snake concentrate on the food. I say it's you call on the size of Viv.
Just heed the warning and know that you should have plenty of hides and such. I think, they are all general rules (guildline) and you can stray from them after you get more experienced with your snake.

Good Luck :cheers:

Good Luck
Click to expand...

Ah, I understand now. Well I am just going to go with my first choice of starting out with the 10 gallon until it gets to about a year old then upgrade the tank.
 
djvkut said:
Ah, I understand now. Well I am just going to go with my first choice of starting out with the 10 gallon until it gets to about a year old then upgrade the tank.
Click to expand...

OK, good move and keep in mine that you can still use you ten gallon to feed in after that.
Oops I forgot, by then you'll have at least two more hatchling......... Never mind. :sidestep:
 
djvkut said:
So by this do you mean I should just skip getting the 10 gallon and upgrading later? Should I go ahead and just buy a 29 gallon now or?
Click to expand...

This is what I would do. It is your choice, however, if you don't mind spending the extra money.

GiantBlueberry said:
If you're going to be getting a hatchling starting out with a 29 gal is a bit much..
You might end up with a snake that has feeding problems.
Click to expand...


You will not harm the snake if you get its adult size tank right away. Just make sure you have plenty of places for it to hide. After all, wild snakes are born into millions of acres. They are not limited to a 20" x 12" space. Again, it is your choice.

Two of my three hatchlings (two are corns and one is a king snake) went straight into their 40 gallon tanks, and neither have developed feeding problems or overt levels of stress. The other started in a 10 g until she was about a year old. Then I moved her to a 20L, and had to go through a whole new acclimatization period with her. It was weeks before I saw her again. If I had it to do over, I wouldn't have put her through this.

That being said, you do what you feel is right for you. Neither way is wrong.
 
glad to see your doing your research before you buy. i would go with a 20 long on the size, i would also go with both the uth and the basking my corn loves to bask.i also would suggest getting some noctunal lighting for your viv it is not needed, but corns seem to be way more active at nite and the natural moonlight really helps with the colering i would suggest the lunar links they work pretty well. I use a lunar light that is made for coral reef tanks but they run a little more expensive around 50.00 for a two watt. but they are very bright. as far as substrate aspen is the best, you could get away with 2 but i would stick with one.
 
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