Would this be ok?

[Sonic]

While setting my old fish tank up as a viv for a leopard gecko iv been doing alot of researching and iv came to the conclusion that a leo is not for me. Im looking for something more social that i can hold more often for longer periods of time. Im thinking of getting a corn snake instead. Having had one before and loved it im thinkin itll be great to get a young one and watch it grow. Iv got a 2ft x 1ft x 1ft class tank. I know this would not last it forever but for a year at least. My question is- Would this size of tank do ? it wont be a hatchling but still not an adult. my tank is sitting empty as i cleaned it with bleach solution the other day. Has anyone got any thoughts or advice? Cheers kerr

 

[sachamama]

Hello Sonic

Im sure you will soon get a lot of expert advice from the other members, I am new myself. But I am looking into something similar - transforming and old fish tank into a vivarium, and it became clear that we will need to create a tight fitting, ideally lockable lid, and cornsnakes are supposedly great escape artists, can fit their nose into small holes and push things around with their strong bodies. So I will watch your post keenly for other people's tip about it. As far as I understand, the size will be fine for a year or so

Great that you are considering a cornsnake. I think you will have much more fun with it than a gecko! Best wishes!! From Southwest UK...

 

[tomcat]

Yeah, it will be fine up to a 3 foot snake. Anymore than that and it would be a squeeze. My corns are quite active, so place climbing equipment, plants, hides ect ect for him to use and hide amongst.

Tom

 

[Shorty6]

Should be fine, we had our yearling in a 10 gallon tank for a while. Just make sure you get a tight fitting lid! We've had many escapes because we underestimated the little guy. (We got him back both times though, so no worries)

 

[Sonic]

Thanx everyone for the kind replys.. All i have gotten from other people are negative one. "Oh no glass and not wooden?" "Oh you cnt have it that small."

The viv lid i have is very snugg.. it takes a little effort for me to get it off.. then it just pops off wen i apply alot more preasure. The heat mat i have is 11" x 11" and 12 watts.. Where is the ideal place to put it? right now i have it under the glass between polostyren(sp) tiles. Cheers again for the replys. kerr

 

[bitsy]

Wooden vivs seem more common than glass tanks in the UK, but plenty of folks use tanks successfully.

The key is to make sure there's plenty of ventilation, so you don't get the lower level (where the Corn is) staying too humid.

The size is fine for a sub-adult, but as you've said, you'll need something bigger when he grows on a bit.

You need to have the heat mat under one-third of the tank, to create a warm side and a cool side. Cool side should be in the low-mid 70s, warm side should be around 85 degrees. Measure the temperature on the warm side, immediately above the mat and at ground level where the Corn will be. Once that's the correct temp, then the cool side should be OK. Regulate the mat by using a thermostat - unregulated mats can reach over 110 degrees in less than an hour, which is dangerous for Corns.

You need to have the tank raised off the mat slightly - the mats can be damaged if the weight of the setup is resting on them. Also, you need airflow across the surface of the mat to prevent overheating and further damage. It only needs a tiny gap of a millimetre or so.

If you have the mat sandwiched between polystyrene tiles, then this will be insulating the mat from both sides. Ideally you need a polystyrene tile under the mat to stop heat escaping underneath, but the top of the mat should be directly under the tank.

Hope that helps.

 

[Sonic]

Wooden vivs seem more common than glass tanks in the UK, but plenty of folks use tanks successfully.

The key is to make sure there's plenty of ventilation, so you don't get the lower level (where the Corn is) staying too humid.

The size is fine for a sub-adult, but as you've said, you'll need something bigger when he grows on a bit.

You need to have the heat mat under one-third of the tank, to create a warm side and a cool side. Cool side should be in the low-mid 70s, warm side should be around 85 degrees. Measure the temperature on the warm side, immediately above the mat and at ground level where the Corn will be. Once that's the correct temp, then the cool side should be OK. Regulate the mat by using a thermostat - unregulated mats can reach over 110 degrees in less than an hour, which is dangerous for Corns.

You need to have the tank raised off the mat slightly - the mats can be damaged if the weight of the setup is resting on them. Also, you need airflow across the surface of the mat to prevent overheating and further damage. It only needs a tiny gap of a millimetre or so.

If you have the mat sandwiched between polystyrene tiles, then this will be insulating the mat from both sides. Ideally you need a polystyrene tile under the mat to stop heat escaping underneath, but the top of the mat should be directly under the tank.

Hope that helps.

My mistake, Thats what i ment i just didint explain it very well.. But ill sort it so that the tank is raised above the heat mat because at the moment the tank sits directly on the heat mat which is sitting on the tiles .. between the two tiles tho their is a space to alow air flow under the mat cos i read it can over heat if the heat from the bottom cant escape some where. Cheers kerr