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Setting up the Second Snake in Sterilite

sarcare

sarcare

New member
Shortly I may be getting another snake (probably a butter baby from Forkedtung), and I want to get all of the stuff set up so that snakey will have a safe place to come to.

I just got my first snake a month ago--she is in a 20g tank, with all kind of nice and expensive stuff. For the second one, I think I will go a little less display, and a little more just utilitarian. I have a 66q sterilite container, which will probably be WAY too big at first, but should provide room to grow in. But I need some advice on turning this viv into a home for small snakey two.

I've looked at a number of other threads, but I need some answers to questions I couldn't see there.

Ok--issue number 1: air holes
I read that you ought to use a soldiering iron or a drill, neither of which I own. I tried a little make do with an old screwdriver and a candle--but the results are very lumpy and not very big. How big do the holes need to be to provide good ventilation? How many do there need to be? Can I sand the edges of the holes? (I am apparently a nightmare at home improvement)

Issue number 2: heat
My apartment right now is quite warm all of the time--around 80~85, so I don't have heat on my current viv, but I do have a uth ready for the winter which IS cold. I read that you could put the uth on a tile under the sterilite or in the sterilite? But does there need to be a full layer of tile under the sterilite to keep it even? Would it be possible to buy just a couple pieces of tile, or is there something else I could use?

Also, I'm trying to figure out the thermostat for the current UTH I have--I'd heard that you could buy something like a light dimmer at the hardware store that would work, but I'm not sure what to ask for. (People at home improvement stores think I'm an idiot, they can see me coming, so I try to figure out EXACTLY what I need so they don't think I'm too crazy)

Ok, I will probably have some more questions, but that is all I can think of now.
 
Air holes aren't really that big of an issue. Honestly, you could probably get by with NO air holes because that tub isn't going to seal airtight. I know several people that use no air holes in custom cages and their large snakes do fine because there's enough wiggle room in the doors or lid in your case. For my custom cage, I have an 8x3x2 cage for my burm and it only has four 3" round vents and I've had no problems... that's really not a lot of obvious ventilation for a big snake. You should be fine with little or no vent holes in yours unless you're somehow making your sterelite airtight.

If you want to do it, try using a screwdriver to make the holes. YOu can heat the tip up with a blow torch or candle to make it easier. Just go from the inside of the lid out, that way if there are any sharp spurs, they're not where the snake can get to them. If you're getting a hatchling, make sure the air holes aren't too big.

This winter, put your UTH on a tile UNDER the tub, not in it. That way, the snake can't get burned. Remember to take your hot side temp from the hottest part of the bottom of the tub (i.e. The hottest temp your snake could reach). just prop that side of the tub up with something (I use bottle caps) and you'll be fine. You can actually adjust the temperature that way by propping it up higher or lower. That's what I do. I don't actually own a thermostat or rheostat.
 
Thanks! I went out and bought a tile and some sand paper--people at the hardware store think I'm crazy, but they may be onto something! I've got the holes drilled and sanded, and the tile ready. I still have not purchased a heater, but I haven't gotten the snake either so I'm ok. I did buy a light dimmer, but it is a funky touch dimmer, so I'm not sure how it will work. I'll have to test it out on a light.
 
Yeah I wouldn't worry about the heater just yet. I'm pretty nearby you and I have a fan in my snake room right now because it's so hot up there...lol
 
This is what I did seeing as the holes didn't vent enough of the humidity in the tubs:

meshoverbig.jpg


meshoversmall.jpg


meshunder.jpg


All you need is some cheap screen-door mesh found at local hardware stores (small sizes for 5 dollars)

-An exacto knife

-Either hot glue or Tacky Glue (used for arts and crafts and such - animal and kid safe)

I tried some safe Silicone at first but once dried it would just peel right off the lid and became loose even before.
 
I LIKE that a LOT--I wish I'd seen that first. Maybe I'll do that as well, good for viewing as well. We are VERY VERY humid here in this appartment, with the fish tanks and being in Ohio and all.

I'm really excited about this new snake, and hope he will be ok in a sterilite home! I figure he might like it better because it is slightly cloudy so he might feel less exposed. I don't know, it will be big for a baby.
 
That screen does not look escape proof to me...

Why can't you just buy a soldering gun? They aren't expensive at all.
 
The first picture shows my enclosure for my new Anery who is around 2 months old - it is quite big but at least it should suit him for the rest of his life and he doesn't seem to be to scared of the space it offers, as long as you offer some nice fake plants and climbing access it won't notice the size.

I first applied the mesh to the big tub because I have his water dish filtered due to the fact that I went on vacation for a week - the small drilled holes kept making the sides of the tub line up with humidity and it was just too much.

As far as escape proofing goes - the mesh is tight as can be, you just have to stretch it out when you apply the glue and get vices and clamps to apply pressure to the tight mesh once it starts drying. I'm also working on cardboard cut outs that would just hide the ending of the mesh and provide an even more foolproof way of making sure the little guys stay in.
 
Oh, I made the holes already--I don't like the idea of buying a tool for just one use, and I have no idea what else I would use it for. The holes look ok now, I used a screwdriver heated up to make the holes, and then a box cutter to get all of the melted plastic off, and then sanded it a little. So it is pretty smooth with two layers of holes along the long sides. I suppose if it is not enough I can make more later.
 
The small lid I show turned upside down still needs to have it's borders trimmed, most of the time the mesh ends flush with the glue or goes further back into it so there's no worries with prying there.
 
Right now I'm going to stick with my sterilite with the holes around it, no sense trying to get too fancy and inviting trouble. A hatchling in a container this tall will have some height to get to push up the lid, but I plan on having clips in place before I get him or put him in. I was a bit worried about the slightly rough edges of the airholes, but I think the sanding made it smooth enough and it is quite high up.
 
Be careful with pushing up lids, too. Both my escapes have been from pushing up lids of feeding containers. I really only feel safe with Sterilites in a rack or with the lock down edges kind.
 
I'm not sure what you mean by the lock down edge kind--mine does have the lock ends, and I thought one could close it using binder clips, but I'm not sure it it will work. Hence my trying to find any advice--so what does work?
 
This is the only Sterilite I trust, if not in a rack.
 

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Many people do use binder clips successfully, however, the binder clips are subject to human error.
 
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