Setting up new enclosure

[scary.thin.man]

Hi guys. We're setting up our enclosure for the new corn snake and was just going to give a list of what I have for approval. I want to have everything set up and running properly before he arrives. Here the list:

20 gal long (30"x12"x12") glass enclosure with sliding lockable screen top
2 sm hides
1 med size water dish
1 branch for climbing
1 analog hygrometer ( mounted approx. 2"-3" above floor of enclosure)
2 digital thermometers w/ probes
1 Reptitherm thermostat w/probe
1 Reptitherm UTH small size 6"x8"
1 fluorescent light hood 20" long w/ 18" bulb (day light)
1 sm red LED ( night light)
Aspen bedding

My girlfriend and I might have went a little overboard but wanted to make sure we have a happy snake as this is our first one. Have found a nearby pet store that has pinkies so will be getting those nearer the time of picking up the snake. Hides, water dish, and tank were disinfected with a 1:10 bleach to water solution (this is what we use at the hospital so thought it would be okay for the snake) and thoroughly rinsed out. Branch was washed in same bleach solution and then baked in oven (gf did this so no idea on temps or times). Any comments/questions/concerns are welcome. You guys know these animals much better than I and I will gladly take any advice. Thanks!

 

[scary.thin.man]

Oops, forgot. Also got a timer to regulate day/night lights. Digital strip w/ 4 timed outlets (2 day and 2 night) and 4 more constant power outlets.

 

[alan]

I guess you just got everything, what a happy snake.
The day lights may change the temps of the viv, but you have enough thermometers to watch it. Keep an eye on them until you have everything dialed in and even.
I have red LEDs in my snake's viv, it's nice to see her at night when she's out and about. Her colors don't look that great with the red light, but you can see her cruising and the light doesn't bother her.

 

[Crimson]

You may want a separate container to feed your snake in so it doesn't eat bedding with the mouse and it seems to help tame the snake too...It will relate getting removed from the tank as a good thing. Some people get metal tongs too, I never used them but I wish I did for the first month...I got an adult as my first snake and I was dangling the mouse in front of him, but he wasn't looking at it. he was staring at my hand and he bit the side of my ring finger (1st and last time he did that).

 

[maxcherry]

Can i move in i'll pay £250 pm, your place sounds lush

 

[HoosierHerper]

That is amazing. Mucho rep points coming your way...I love it when people do their research and get things setup early

Just run it for about a week before you get the snake to make sure you know what your night/day temps will be before you get the snakey...(alot of people don't have a chance to do this as they will buy the snake and the setup in the same day, but it's a good idea that way you aren't having to mess too much with the setup once your new pet is home)

Congrats, and welcome to the forum. Make sure to post some pics...not just of the snake when you get it, but of your setup when you get it ready...we'd all love to see

-Josh

 

[scary.thin.man]

Can i move in i'll pay £250 pm, your place sounds lush

Sure man, we actually have an extra room that is just filled with boxes of books, unused furniture, and old televisions. Move it out and help us find a place to put it and it's yours. And if you paid us that amount you would just about cover our rent completely!!

But thank you everyone for the advice and help. We had realized that we needed to get a feeding container but were unsure what would work best. Any recommendations? I saw that several people recommend disposable glad or tupperware containers with air-holes drilled into them. Also, what would be best to use for a temporary enclosure for him while cleaning his habitat?

We should have everything set-up and running for about 5-7 days before he arrives so we should be able to make sure everything is copacetic.

 

[HoosierHerper]

Just a good ol' sterilite plastic container...like a 12-15 qt should be good for quite a while...about $3-$4 at any Walmart...get two, then you have a feeding tub, and a temp. tub for when you are cleaning...

 

[Crimson]

A plastic critter keeper works too

 

[scary.thin.man]

Enclosure set up!!

Okay, just finished getting things set up. Here are some pics:

probe placement over UTH

bare enclosure w/ probes only

added substrate, decorations and hides

bird's eye, cool side

bird's eye, warm side

day light on

night light on

Temps are running about 85 deg on warm side and 70 deg on cool side w/ humidity of 50% on the money. Let me know what you think.

 

[scary.thin.man]

Feeding tub

Finished one tub. I'm going to do the second exactly the same. 12 qt sterilite tub with snap on lid. Here are the pics:

Lid, 72 holes for air

Long side of tub, 50 holes per side

Scale shot of hole size and placement, sorry beer cap was the only thing handy

Each tub with the lid has a total of 172 holes drilled in with 1/8th" bit. Is this enough or should I put in more or use a larger bit? Let me know what you guys think!! Thanks again to everyone for your help!

 

[alan]

I think you are scary.precise.man. Everything looks pretty nice. I don't use a feeding container but that looks like plenty of air exchange to me.
Some fake plants give more cover spots and aren't too bad to clean.

 

[chia44]

Your snake is going to be SPOILED man! Very cool, good pics! Thanks for sharing!

 

[nrfitchett4]

an infrared thermometer might end up working better than the ones with the probes. just point and shoot and get instant temps. the probes take time to adjust which can be a pain when your temps are off.
other than that, wow!!!

 

[Nanci]

It's really nice, but would be PERFECT if you added some vines! It would look a lot prettier and vines give the snake a "secret highway" to travel around unseen, which makes them more likely to venture out! Plus babies _love_ climbing in and even sleeping on vines.

 

[scary.thin.man]

Thanks for the compliments everyone. Will probably go out and get some fake greenery today at some point in time. Had thought about getting some be forgot last night when I went to get his feeding tubs. Will post more pics when added. Thanks again!!

 

[admitchell08]

That is a very nice set up you've got there!
I also agree with the vines comment..the snakes love them and they give the viv a great look!