Supplies for complete tank.

[GarterGuy17]

Well i'm looking for supplies now i'm going to start with the tank i'm going to pick up on wednesday I found it on craigslist for 15$ a 20 gal tank with wire mesh top and its own lamp , what a steal I know . Now all I need is the furniture and snake of course and substrate i'm planning on getting bark which would you guys recommend ?

[infernalis]

I use the aspen from wal mart at $3 a bag :D can't beat the deal.


http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/husbandry/8403-best-deal-aspen-ever.html

[GarterGuy17]

Sounds like its was actually stolen with that price :D

[EasternGirl]

If you can post a pic of the lid of the tank we can help you make sure to make it escape proof... I think the bark I got at the pet store just said reptile bark on it. It was like $7 a bag...it filled two 20 gal tanks....but I put ecoearth under it. Also...since it is a used tank you will want to clean it thoroughly with the bleach/water solution I told you about earlier to prevent any transfer of disease. Make sure to then clean it with plain water and then let it air out well before putting your substrate and stuff in it.

[GarterGuy17]

I know as soon as I get the tank I'm going to clean it.

[EasternGirl]

Is there a pic of the tank on Craig's list you can post....or else take a pic of the lid when you get it and post it...lids can be tricky...garters are escape artists...have to make sure it's escape proof...especially for a baby.

[GarterGuy17]

There's pictures up on craigslist but not of the top only the sides they have it full of water so I know it has no cracks and the top I will post pictures of on Wednesday when I get it.

[EasternGirl]

Cool...

[angrygamer]

Just a quick suggestion, I don't know how many garters you intend to raise, but if you find a 30 gallon, I'd get that instead. You may find yourself wanting a bigger tank a few months down the road. I recently went from a 10 to a 30, and I'm glad I did. And while it is a 30 tall, space fills up quick in it and I want to give my garter as much room as possible.

As far as aspen goes, I found it to be really dusty, soaked the chips and let them dry a couple of days, but that's just me. I'm not too happy with it though, it seems a little flaky to me. I think next week I am going to pick up a bag of reptile bark and maybe make some kind of mix.

[GarterGuy17]

The thing is I can't get such a big tank yet because my snake is going to be a baby which is why I don't want to get such a big tank I actually think that 20 gal is way to big for a baby or 2 , Can Anyone tell me if a 20 gal is to small for a baby ?

[EasternGirl]

I have my baby albino checkered in a 20 gallon but it has a slide lock lid...that's why I want to look at your lid. A 20 gal is not too big for a baby...size is not the concern...escape and things the baby can get trapped under or hurt on would be the concern. Garters are masters of escape and babies are even better at it. They can get wet and then inch up the glass and find a way to wedge under gaps in the lid and get out, or worse, hurt or kill themselves getting trapped or smushed in a failed attempt. Wire lids have little holes on the corners and they don't lock down...but there are things you can do to rig it. If you have the money I can tell you of a very safe terrarium with a lock lid that you can buy at a pet store that will guarantee no escape for babies...or you could use a plastic tub...some people do that for babies...or we can work on rigging the lid of the tank on Craig's list.

[GarterGuy17]

Well I think the cheapest way to do it will be rigging the tank that I get off craigslist if the wire mesh is either to big or not escape proof I will buy another top for it with clamps to ensure it will not escape. But the thing is I rather get the tank because im thinking of getting 2 snakes actually ( females so I know they wont get gravid ) and they would live well in a 20 gal right. so why not.

[EasternGirl]

Okay...but I would start a new thread and ask about enclosures for babies. I don't think clamps are going to necessarily do the trick...like I said there are holes in the corners that the snake can get out of in the standard wire lids and the snake can also slide itself up under the rims of the lid. This is why a lot of people use plastic tubs for babies. I put my baby in my 20 gallon with the slide lock lid for this very reason...he was in a 10 gallon with clamps but it was not secure enough. The clamps don't secure all of the little places the babies can get out of...with a bigger snake it isn't so much of a problem. Someone else may be able to tell you how to secure the lid for a baby...or they may just tell you to get a plastic tub...which is really cheap.

[angrygamer]

The thing is I can't get such a big tank yet because my snake is going to be a baby which is why I don't want to get such a big tank I actually think that 20 gal is way to big for a baby or 2 , Can Anyone tell me if a 20 gal is to small for a baby ?

oh you'll be fine with a 20 for a baby, for a while actually - I was just thinking down the road, I don't know how far along that would be (and I had no idea you'd have a baby!) - I housed one garter that was about 20 inches in a 10 for two months. Probably not the best, but now he/she (not sure yet) is in a 30 (and about 24-25 inches now to boot).

[GarterGuy17]

But the thing is I was looking through the threads and one of the members said that a 30 gal is the same as a 20 gal just taller so would this really matter ?

[GarterGuy17]

.

[angrygamer]

But the thing is I was looking through the threads and one of the members said that a 30 gal is the same as a 20 gal just taller so would this really matter ?

Well, aquariums and terrariums generally come in two flavors: long and tall. I didn't know this when I bought my 30, and after cleaning it for a while something seemed, I don't know - a bit out of place. That's when I realized that I had a 30 tall, not 30 long. It was strange because it wasn't much wider than the 10, I expected it to be longer, but I had to be in its presence for a while before I noticed it.

That being said, I think it still matters for a snake because if you didn't get a tank, you'd get a vivarium or a cage, and generally those are square and vertical.

Now that I've had it a month I have been playing with a lot of different ideas and you can do a lot of things with that vertical space, it doesn't go to waste, but I think Glyph is kind of tired of me rearranging her furniture every other week.

[EasternGirl]

I guess...you will use the tank at some point...see what the other members have to say about the enclosure for the baby...you may be able to rig the lid or you may want to keep the baby in a plastic tub until it gets bigger...but you can use the tank at some point. I don't know if I would put a baby in a 40 gal. If other members think you can rig the lid to be safe enough for a baby...I would stick with a 20 gallon...if you are going to use a plastic tub for the baby and use the tank for an adult snake or more than one snake, I guess you can get as big as you want.

[GarterGuy17]

Well this guy is selling a 30 gallon with screen top and clamps plus free hides,bowls,and lamp. I might get this actually and its free delivery since he is close by. Also Steve just told me a way to rig the tank to make it escape proof. Should I get it even if its 30 high ?

[angrygamer]

Well this guy is selling a 30 gallon with screen top and clamps plus free hides,bowls,and lamp. I might get this actually and its free delivery since he is close by. Also Steve just told me a way to rig the tank to make it escape proof. Should I get it even if its 30 high ?

That's what I have, but the real bonus is the screen top and the lamp. I'd make sure the screen top is steel, not nylon or fabric because you'll proly end up shining the light through the screen and it will get hot. Also, I'd make sure the lamp is at least 100 watts, but that's second to the screen, these are just some things that I have have encountered that you might think about.

I am going to fabricate a screen next week, I am still using the fish tank lid with a screen, I've priced screens out and I can't justify spending half the cost of the tank on a lid.


As far as it being a tall, that's what I ended up with so I have to be creative...I am working on ideas, you just have to be a bit conservative with your floor space...but get other opinions too.

[GarterGuy17]

But the thing is i'm not sure yet if the tank is tall or long. I thought garters didn't like to climb though ?

[angrygamer]

You're right, not a whole lot, but some are. My wandering isn't so much a climber as an explorer, and I am really interested in providing as much variety as I can for her, as a snake with that much curiosity being in a tank like that probably bores her to tears...

grr I had a picture of something I generally was going to do but I can't find it.

This is vaguely what I want to do, I still have some ideas in my head, but they are not all ironed out yet.

36393640

Anyway, I am just trying to help you out, I know $15 isn't really a lot of money for that 20 gallon you are interested in, but I wasn't sure what size snake you had in mind, whether they will out grow it 6 months or so, just trying to help you save money, if you are like me every bit counts.

[EasternGirl]

Many garters do like to climb...you should have plenty of vines and hanging plants for them. I find that all of mine enjoy climbing. But you want a lot of floor space...if it is a choice between length space and height space...go for length, definitely.3641 Hermes in the top of his hanging plant. 3642 Cee Cee and Seeley climbing on their hanging plant.

[GarterGuy17]

So tomorrow I will pick up my 30 gal tank. These are the measurements 36" , 12" , 17" Its long !!! :D i'm super happy about that it's also going to come with 2 lamps , 2 hides , and 2 bowls for 45$ amazing huh :)

[RedSidedSPR]

Sweet!

[GarterGuy17]

I know hopefully I get a ride by tomorrow because if not then I have to find a new tank. This guy is moving in 2 days ugh if I dont get a ride I will be very disappointed.

[angrygamer]

I know hopefully I get a ride by tomorrow because if not then I have to find a new tank. This guy is moving in 2 days ugh if I dont get a ride I will be very disappointed.

ah, I know the feeling. I can't drive any more because of an injury, if I were in NY I'd give you a ride!

It sounds like a tall, the measurements on my tank are 30x12.5x19. Mine is actually a 29 gal.

[EasternGirl]

Sounds good John...hope you get a ride. Make sure you clean the hides and the bowls well too.

[GarterGuy17]

Im on my way to pick it up !! :D I got a ride YES ! Even if its tall I will make it so the snake can climb pretty high then.

[EasternGirl]

Sounds good...you just have to make sure the lid is good and secure first. Then the snake can climb all over the place.

[GarterGuy17]

So I just got the tank he game me 3 lamps , 1 plant , 1 hide , and 2 bowls wow !! and the Tank is LONG !!!!! :D Pics will be up in a second.

[GarterGuy17]

3652
Front view ( lamps , hides , bowls in the corner ) he also gave me a hygrometer and a thermometer don't know if they work though
3653
Side view
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Top side view

Some help with the bleach and water solution ?

[guidofatherof5]

Is that a side-on lid or a sit-on-top lid?

[GarterGuy17]

Sit on top wire mesh , I need to use the wood to make it escape proof right ?

[kibakiba]

I do one part bleach to 10 parts water when I'm doing a "deep clean"

Make sure to rinse it out really well, though.

[guidofatherof5]

Not sure what you mean by using wood.
I was thinking if it's a sit-on-top you will probably need some weight on top as that type of lid never seems to sit flush.

[GarterGuy17]

Oh I see so I can use anything as a weight ? by the way how can I check if my hygrometer is working ?

[guidofatherof5]

As long as the weight is not put directly on the screen but is distributed on the plastic frame.

[GarterGuy17]

Oh I see then I have no idea what to use , but It came with 2 clamps should I get more ?

[guidofatherof5]

I think I remember how those claps work. I would want at least two on each side.
With the claps on check to see if the lid is sitting flush on the top. Sometimes those plastic lids can warp and not fit properly.
Also check it for burn areas. They can be melted sometimes by lights set on top.

[GarterGuy17]

There are no burn area's and i'm going to have to buy a few more clamps , other then that the tank is completely clean , first with bleach and water solution. Then with soap and water all furniture to.

[EasternGirl]

Yeah...just make sure that the plastic parts of the lid sit tight against the edges of the tank so that there are no spaces where the snake can slide through...snakes can flatten their bodies and slide through places smaller than they look. It looks like there are no holes on the corners? If the clamps don't make it tight enough...I just put heavy books on the edges. Make sure your lamps sit on the wire part and not on the plastic. It looks like a nice tank. What is the hygrometer reading right now? You could spray a little water in the tank and cover the top with a towel and put the hygrometer inside and see if the reading goes up.

[snakehill]

That's what my new baby corn did. The tank cover doesn't fit tightly and he squeezed out through the gap. I lined the cover with foam strips and it hasn't happened again. So be very careful with that! I used clamps by the way, had to add more.

[Selkielass]

Foam stripping is a great idea!

[GarterGuy17]

Then I should go pick some up , you put it around the edge of the tank ( inside of course ) also my hygrometer read 80% O.O , I thought twisting it would work like if it was loose but now it hasn't moved at all. my thermometer works thought put it next to my window and it read 61F now inside he tank without the lamp it reads 79F should I still use a lamp ?

[EasternGirl]

You can do the foam stripping...just make sure there is nothing sticky that the snake can stick to. If it is 79 degrees inside the tank, you don't need a lamp...is it really warm in your house?

[GarterGuy17]

It is very warm in my house actually , and I know it works because I tested it. so I guess I wont need a lamp

[EasternGirl]

See the other thread for the answer to this...flourescent bulbs.