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Vivarium Setup ...

whiffin

whiffin

Just Another Member
Hi, my current viv is quite small. It is one of those cheap plastic ones that come free with snakes from pet shops. It is heated with one of those under tank strip heaters (outside).

I've bought one 2nd hand for £35 - this is a proper glass fronted wooden one. Trouble is it's too big (100 gallon). I'm gonna cut it down to size (about 30-40 gallon - with lots oif hides)

But I have a few questions (in order of priority):

1. If I somehow put plastic over the heater, so my snake can't hurt himself, will this suffice? (He'll have a warm patch). If not - what heating is recommended?

2. What can I use to coat the wood to make it easy clean to stop bacteria?

3. Lighting - it currently has a small flourescent light (tube) in a plastic case - is this OK?

4. Substrate - Astroturf - this seems to be cheapest and easiest to clean for large vivs - ideas?

5. Dimensions - I was thinking 3' x 1.5' x 1.5' - is this OK?

Sorry for teh long post - but I only wanna do this once and want to get it perfect ...

Many thanks
 
I don't know the answers to all the questions but......

The dimensions are fine.
If you can find some way to stop Suzy getting underneath the astroturf then he should be safe from the heat.
I'm not sure about the lighting. Since corns don't need this, you could take it out and save yourself some money.
 
It's gonna be slightly smaller now ... (22 gallons will fit in my book case perfect)

I'm gonna get some astroturf and stuff tomorrow

So exciting :eek:)

Cheers
 
viv setup

I don't have any corns yet (though Thursday I will be getting my first 3-5)...But I do keep ball pythons. And you had better line the bottom and sides of the wood with tileboard (you can get a big ol' sheet at home depot for about 15 bucks...and then you can line what you have left of that enclosure you got for MORE herps!) because it's not always guaranteed the snake is going to potty on the astroturf (I've had a problem with my balls going on the glass, grr)...and if he/she DOES get beneath the astroturf, it's an added protectant. I also suggest cypruss mulch. You can get it SUPER CHEAP at walmart for like $4.00 for a HUGE back. Just my suggestions! :)
 
blckkat said:
I don't have any corns yet (though Thursday I will be getting my first 3-5)...But I do keep ball pythons. And you had better line the bottom and sides of the wood with tileboard (you can get a big ol' sheet at home depot for about 15 bucks...and then you can line what you have left of that enclosure you got for MORE herps!) because it's not always guaranteed the snake is going to potty on the astroturf (I've had a problem with my balls going on the glass, grr)...and if he/she DOES get beneath the astroturf, it's an added protectant. I also suggest cypruss mulch. You can get it SUPER CHEAP at walmart for like $4.00 for a HUGE back. Just my suggestions! :)
Click to expand...

What is meant by lining it with tileboard? And what is the purpose of this?
 
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