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Vivarium Set-up

J

jaws

New member
I'm going out to buy my first corn tomorrow (hopefully) and I want to double check my choices for the vivarium before I go.

I'm getting a twenty gallon tank, wider (and therefore a few inches shorter) than typical for more floorspace. Or should he have more room upwards? On top goes a nice screen cover. My substrate will probably be just paper towels or newspaper. A non-tippable water dish for water, and two hide boxes (one on each side). I'll look for a branch or fake plant for him to climb on as well.

As for heating, I'm going to get a twenty-gallon under tank heater for one side of the tank and also a lamp on a timer during the day (same side of the tank). The under-tank heater is more for supplemental heat during the evening, I guess. Am I correct in assuming that the under-tank heaters don't pose the same threat as hot-rocks? Those cheap thermometers at each ends to check up on the temperature.

Is this a decent set-up? Am I forgeting anything important? I've already made a trip to the pet store to make sure they've got everything I need.

Thanks!
 
Sounds good to me.

Undertank heaters are the safe alternative to heat rocks. You might want to plug it all in to find a temp. range without the snake just to make sure it's where you want it to be. Otherwise you might want a rheostat (adjusts the power going into the heat pad, therefore adjusting the heat).

Make sure you have clips, or some way to secure the lid, because the weight alone will not keep the snake in!

Are you getting a baby snake or an adult? As an adult you may want a slightly larger tank (most people have been saying 20 long, or 30 gallon). Though that will probably be okay, the other sizes would be better.
Height isn't a big concern for corns, because they spend most of their time on the ground, as long as they have room to move around, and something to climb on is nice.

With the branch or climbing thing, either buy a prepared one at a store, or you've got to treat it (I'm not sure exactly how) to make sure there are no mites or diseases. I think people were saying soak in a bleach solution, then bake to dry and kill everything that could be on it. But don't take my word on that part.


I'm still new here, so I don't know much, but I'm pretty sure about all the stuff I've told you.

What were you going to use for substrate? If you don't have anything in mind, paper towels will work just fine. You can easily throw them away and replace, plus it's easy to see where the snake went potty.
 
I agree with everything you said except for the heat rocks and lamps. The lamps tend to dru out the evnviorment and rocks distribute heat unevenly. Unless you live somewhere real cold, then all you really need is the UTH. Your tank set-up is the exact same as mine except I had a 20 gallon with the taller sides. Good luck with getting your new snake.
 
Heat rocks are definitely bad...but a lamp would be ok. I have lamps on my tanks right now and everything is great, but I also have a spray bottle that I use to mist the tank occasionally, and when my snakes are in shed I make sure to give them a quick soak. This keeps the humidity in the tank up, and moistens their skin for an easier shed.

However, it might be too hot to use an under the tank heater and a light. I have just a light positioned about 3/4 of a ft off the top of a 10 gal. tank for my 7mo old corn. I have a digital thermometer hooked up and it reads about 79 during the day. If you are running the light and the heat pad at the same time it may get way too hot for your snake.

Good luck though...
:)
 
get a thermostat or rheostat for the UTH. I have two different brands of the stick on type UTHs - 1 on a 20L and the other on a 10gal - and they have both heated up to 120+F. An IR temp gun makes spot checking temps really easy but isn't necessary.
 
Personally, I would not go with the 20 gallon under tank heater in a 20 gallon aquarium. I think that might be too much heat, especially with the lamp. Im my opinion, you only need about 1/4 - 1/3 of the tank actually covered with the heating pad. The heat will radiate some.

I made that mistake with one of my setups and the snake never went over the heated side. When I put in a smaller heat pad, she now uses it all the time. I would probably choose closer to the 10 gallon sized heating pad.

I also use day and night lamps, more for our enjoyment, but I also like to give our snakes natural day/night cycles.

Good luck.
 
I think everything you said sounds good, but the one thing I make sure to have is a dimmer switch to attach to the heat pad because they get way tooooo hot! You can buy them at orchard Supply Hardware, or Home Depo type places for about $12.00 at the most. You probably don't really need to add a lamp unless you are using it just to light up the tank for viewing. The under tank heaters are usually plenty! Congrats and Good Luck!!!:cheers:
 
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