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Woohoo! Now what...

Sharon

Sharon

Formerly Tsiriane
I finally got the okay from my landlord to get a snake! Now I have to ask a few questions to make sure I start out right.

1. I know that you are supposed to give snakes bottled water, but I was wondering about water filters. I live in town and I get yummy chlorine water so I got one of those faucet mount filters so it isn't so gross. Would that be okay or should I just stick to bottled?

2. I was looking at UTHs online and on one it said that it shouldn't be used under glass aquariums, and as that is what I am going to have, I've become slightly paranoid on what to buy. Help?

3. Another heating question, my apartment is really drafty and it fluctuates anywhere between 65-72 (usually around 70). Will the cold side of my tank be too cold? and if it is, what should I do to remedy it?

4. Any other tips and product recommendations, I've got til at least the 17th to get everything perfect, and hopefully I'll find the baby I want at the expo.

Thanks for your help (if I didn't find this forum I would have died already)

Sharon
 
Tsiriane said:
I finally got the okay from my landlord to get a snake! Now I have to ask a few questions to make sure I start out right.

1. I know that you are supposed to give snakes bottled water, but I was wondering about water filters. I live in town and I get yummy chlorine water so I got one of those faucet mount filters so it isn't so gross. Would that be okay or should I just stick to bottled?

2. I was looking at UTHs online and on one it said that it shouldn't be used under glass aquariums, and as that is what I am going to have, I've become slightly paranoid on what to buy. Help?

3. Another heating question, my apartment is really drafty and it fluctuates anywhere between 65-72 (usually around 70). Will the cold side of my tank be too cold? and if it is, what should I do to remedy it?

4. Any other tips and product recommendations, I've got til at least the 17th to get everything perfect, and hopefully I'll find the baby I want at the expo.

Thanks for your help (if I didn't find this forum I would have died already)

Sharon
Click to expand...
Filtered water should be fine.

UTH on glass should be no problem. Make sure it is regulated with a thermostat or rheostat so the temp directly on the glass on the UTH is 85 degrees. If your ambient temp fluctuates I'd recommend a thermostat as it can adjust for changing temps. reptilesupply.com has the Zoomed 500R for 19.99 plus shipping, They also have good prices on UTHs. You'll need a digital thermometer with a probe. Walmart sells indoor/outdoor thermometers with a probe for $9 and up. Your cool side should be ok with your listed ambient temps.

Make sure you have a hide on each side. You can buy fancy store bought hides or use a cardboard box or a toilet paper tube if it's a small snake.

It's a good idea to get the tank set up and the temperatures adjusted to the proper range before you get the snake. The most common mistake seems to be using a UTH without regulation. This is bad because a UTH can get to over 120 degrees without something to control it. This can kill your snake.

Good luck.
 
Hi,

Be sure to never give your snake distilled water to drink. Spring water is ok.

I've found the ExoTerra UTHs don't get to 120F like Zoo Med Repti Therms will, if unregulated. You should still have a thermostat, but if it fails, the ExoTerra is _less_ likely to cook your snake.

Nanci
 
1. The water issue, well I bought a little bottle of reptile water conditioner and both of my snakes love it. It says it has vitamins in it, I'm not sure but you put 2 drops per 8 0z. of water, so basically I put 4 drops in a water bottle, shake it up and pour. It was a cheap bottle like 6 bucks. Id just do that to make sure the water is okay.

2. Get an undertank heater and glass is okay. I use two of them on two diff glass aquariums. Get a cheap temp probe at petco or petsmart for 8 dollars and build your own rheostat for 7 dollars. Search for the thread on How to Build a Rheostat for less than $7. It was easy I built two last night in a half an hour.

3. The cold side, I wouldn't worry about it. My apartment is just as crazy as yours and my snakes usually hang out on the cold side or warm, either way. Just control the warm side in-case they get too cold.

4. When you buy an aquarium, I didn't choose those critter cages. I think they are cheap plastic on top and likely to break. I chose a basic aquarium, got a nice metal top to it and installed those heavy thick metal clips to keep it secure. Trust me you will need these.

5. Make sure the snake is healthy, I wont go into that long list but make sure you know what to look for and what not to look for. Good luck!
 
Also, one more thing. I never asked my landlord, she said no pets allowed. Now I have two snakes. :)

F*** the man is my motto on that sort of stuff. Im paying for the apartment, if I want to grow a tree in my livingroom I will.
 
Lol thanks guys, hopefully I will be meeting up with some forum members at the show so I might bribe them to help me check out anything I might buy :)

Rocky, I know what you mean thats what my b/f said but I am one of those people who hates getting in trouble and researches everything (hence the thread) so I *have* to get the okay for stuff like this lol
 
between you and me, Ive lived with my wife for over a year. I moved in when we were dating, we got married and we still live her. Only her landlord doesn't know about me. Talk about sneaky !
 
A little factoid about bottled water...are any of you aware that it is not under any more strict regulations(in the US) than tap water is? There are NO regulations in place saying that bottled water needs to have any less chlorine or any other drinking-approved chemical than standard city tap water. In fact, they ARE allowed to use chlorine and chloramines in their water and disguise the flavor so that is tastless...which alot of companies do. If you really want purely clean water...use a filter. If any of you care, check out seychelle.com for a TON of water information and regulations as well as independant laboratory studies. I use a Seychelle filtration bottle for my snakes and for when I am fishing. Never tasted better water...

As far as everything else goes, it sounds like you have it under control. Listen to the people who posted before me. They won't steer you wrong...
 
Rocky Raccoon said:
between you and me, Ive lived with my wife for over a year. I moved in when we were dating, we got married and we still live her. Only her landlord doesn't know about me. Talk about sneaky !
Click to expand...

FWIW...I also live in a "No Pets" lease. I have 3 snakes and 3 mice and my roomate has 2 rats.

I simply asked my landlord about "aquariums", and he approved "Anything that doesn't have to walk on my floors", is the way he put it. Snakes work for me ;)...
 
Rocky Raccoon said:
between you and me, Ive lived with my wife for over a year. I moved in when we were dating, we got married and we still live her. Only her landlord doesn't know about me. Talk about sneaky !
Click to expand...

So technically, your wife doesn't have any pets!!

Nanci
 
I have four of those Critter Cages or whatever they are. I haven't had a problem. I love the little click that lets you know it's locked.

NAnci
 
Yah well my wife had a hamster when she moved in so........yah. Well if she ever tries anything, I have evidence against her, enough for a lawsuit. Ive been watching this sneaky landlord, if she tried to evict her (us) I could show some work and bam, here we stay. I am not worried in the least, tenants have the power they really do.
 
Nanci said:
So technically, your wife doesn't have any pets!!

Nanci
Click to expand...


Well the ball python she got yesterday is her's. Oh man that little bugger is so cute, shy but cute. I just dont care for the critter cages myself.
 
Thanks for the help guys!

Yeah.. we asked if we could have an aquarium... added "reptile" later. They still don't know its gonna be a snake lol
 
Rocky Raccoon said:
Also, one more thing. I never asked my landlord, she said no pets allowed. Now I have two snakes. :)

F*** the man is my motto on that sort of stuff. Im paying for the apartment, if I want to grow a tree in my livingroom I will.
Click to expand...
My landlord said no pets to start with too, but when i explained my snake would be kept in his own Viv and didn't make any mess/smell he changed his mind..... little did he know that within 6 months there would be my snake plus 3 more corn snakes(housemates), a beardie(other housemate), and a three toed amphiuma(3rd housemate)!!!:eek::eek:
 
tyflier said:
I simply asked my landlord about "aquariums", and he approved "Anything that doesn't have to walk on my floors", is the way he put it. Snakes work for me ;)...
Click to expand...

HAHAHA And if you ever get in trouble over it, just mention you had a verbal agreement... and that snakes slither. *Ca-CHING!*
 
Jrgh17 said:
HAHAHA And if you ever get in trouble over it, just mention you had a verbal agreement... and that snakes slither. *Ca-CHING!*
Click to expand...
It's actually kind of funny, because I first asked about birds, because I was interested in getting an African Grey Parrot. His only concern was the noise...as was mine. So I decided against the parrot, and asked about aquariums...and I specifically said "aquariums", not "fish"...and that's when he said he didn't care as long as it didn't walk on his floors. Now...for the record...all of my snakes are currently being kept in aquariums... :crazy02: :rolleyes:
 
Tsiriane said:
I love semantics :crazy02:
Click to expand...

Semantics are the basis of the law! Thats what lawyers do - play clever games with words...who remembers the hours(days?) spent arguing over the definition of "intercourse" by Clinton....
 
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