well my birthdays comin up and my snake shall benifiet!

[Snakers]

i wouldn't use blue sand but what looks really cool is corn kurnals or aspen and ive heard in some cases sand irritates the snakes

[Mommy2many]

Mustang,

Thanks, got it. Sorry for the slow uptake...

[mustang]

i wouldn't use blue sand but what looks really cool is corn kurnals or aspen and ive heard in some cases sand irritates the snakes

i allready use aspen...friend uses some kinda mulch lookn stuff....corn kurnals? ok iv heard of different substraights but kurnals?!

[mustang]

waterfall repti-rapids

who likes THIS idea also suppost to help humidity

[mtolypetsupply]

Robert,

I personally really like the waterfall idea. I would definitely inspect the waterfall to ensure that my snake couldn't get in the water intake/output holes, and would probably take a tiny piece of window screening and silicone that over the holes anyway. I don't think you need hydro balls with that waterfall set up. If you decide to make your own, I can offer some help on construction.

The sand is not a good idea. Besides, I don't know what kind of snake exactly you have, but I was under the impression that most garters live in areas that, while there may be a high sand component IN the soil, are not desert/sand. I would use a bark product if you're going for a natural look. The sand, if you don't take them out of their enclosure to eat, can also stick to the prey and cause an impaction in the snake.

How elaborate do you want your enclosure to be? The more elaborate, usually the more maintenance, and the more chances something can go wrong.

If you're using a typical glass tank, you can look for photos online, I recommend the site sxc.hu for free images. Find one you like in SUPER high res, then have it printed out big enough to trim and apply to the back of the tank. I did that for my first 10gal tank for my Florida Blue Easterns. This was the result:







Take into consideration tank placement, and whether you want to wrap the photo around the tank, when you're sizing it up. You can have them printed at Walmart or a pharmacy or other site and have them sent to your door.

Spend some of your budget on some nice fake plants, if you want easy maintenance. Mine have made several trips through the dishwasher and are none the worse for the wear.

Collect some branches, leaves and other dry items and bake them in the over to sterilize them. They're lots of fun for the snakes to play on/in and they look great.

The more you save on the tank decorations, the more you can spend on the tank and stand. The larger you can get for your snake, the better, in my opinion. My garters use every inch of the tank they can, including the lip around the top under the screen lid!

Best of luck with your baby's new home, and I'm looking forward to seeing pics!

[mustang]

Robert,

I personally really like the waterfall idea. I would definitely inspect the waterfall to ensure that my snake couldn't get in the water intake/output holes, and would probably take a tiny piece of window screening and silicone that over the holes anyway. I don't think you need hydro balls with that waterfall set up. If you decide to make your own, I can offer some help on construction.

The sand is not a good idea. Besides, I don't know what kind of snake exactly you have, but I was under the impression that most garters live in areas that, while there may be a high sand component IN the soil, are not desert/sand. I would use a bark product if you're going for a natural look. The sand, if you don't take them out of their enclosure to eat, can also stick to the prey and cause an impaction in the snake.

How elaborate do you want your enclosure to be? The more elaborate, usually the more maintenance, and the more chances something can go wrong.

If you're using a typical glass tank, you can look for photos online, I recommend the site sxc.hu for free images. Find one you like in SUPER high res, then have it printed out big enough to trim and apply to the back of the tank. I did that for my first 10gal tank for my Florida Blue Easterns. This was the result:







Take into consideration tank placement, and whether you want to wrap the photo around the tank, when you're sizing it up. You can have them printed at Walmart or a pharmacy or other site and have them sent to your door.

Spend some of your budget on some nice fake plants, if you want easy maintenance. Mine have made several trips through the dishwasher and are none the worse for the wear.

Collect some branches, leaves and other dry items and bake them in the over to sterilize them. They're lots of fun for the snakes to play on/in and they look great.

The more you save on the tank decorations, the more you can spend on the tank and stand. The larger you can get for your snake, the better, in my opinion. My garters use every inch of the tank they can, including the lip around the top under the screen lid!

Best of luck with your baby's new home, and I'm looking forward to seeing pics!

no way does ur snakes get stuck under lid like mine, mines like a cat and dosnt know how to get down and GREAT ideas

[mtolypetsupply]

Robert,

Yes, my snakes used to get up there, and seem to get stuck, too! They're in a 40 gal, now, and have learned they won't get hurt if they drop back down. The babies can't get up there, yet, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time.

Also, you can build a hide for them that looks great, and is super cheap to do. Here are some pics of mine:

















Unfortunately the pics are in reverse order, but you get the idea of the evolution of the project. You can also use Great Stuff foam insulation to build hides for them. While you'll put in a good deal of work, it's fun, and cheap, so treat the hides as disposable objects, not art gallery pieces to be treasured forever. If they get yucky, make new ones, this first one I built doesn't seem to be as waterproof as I'd like so I don't put it in the dishwasher, nor do I soak it when cleaning, just spot clean with a vinegar water solution as necessary.

Supplies:
Old foam
Old cardboard boxes
PVC scraps
Hot Glue
Laticrete
Grey Silicone Caulk
Stone look spray paint.

If you rip the foam apart, rather than cutting it, you'll get a rough edge more like stone.
Hot glue your foam pieces, box parts, pvc etc. together into your final shape.
Coat with Laticrete, may take several coats, with 24 hours dry time in between (clean up your work station so your parents are freaking about the "extra mess that darn snake creates" in between phases)
Once it's thoroughly coated, wearing gloves and using a foam brush, pat on the silicone. May take a few touch ups. Let dry completely.
Spray with faux stone paint.
Seal if desired with a matte spray.
Set in cage and watch your snakes play!

You can also make little holes in the "rock" and, when the project is complete, stick some fake plants in them. Make it look as natural as possible, choose wispy grass, or flowing creepers.

have fun!

[mustang]

Robert,

Yes, my snakes used to get up there, and seem to get stuck, too! They're in a 40 gal, now, and have learned they won't get hurt if they drop back down. The babies can't get up there, yet, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time.

Also, you can build a hide for them that looks great, and is super cheap to do. Here are some pics of mine:

















Unfortunately the pics are in reverse order, but you get the idea of the evolution of the project. You can also use Great Stuff foam insulation to build hides for them. While you'll put in a good deal of work, it's fun, and cheap, so treat the hides as disposable objects, not art gallery pieces to be treasured forever. If they get yucky, make new ones, this first one I built doesn't seem to be as waterproof as I'd like so I don't put it in the dishwasher, nor do I soak it when cleaning, just spot clean with a vinegar water solution as necessary.

Supplies:
Old foam
Old cardboard boxes
PVC scraps
Hot Glue
Laticrete
Grey Silicone Caulk
Stone look spray paint.

If you rip the foam apart, rather than cutting it, you'll get a rough edge more like stone.
Hot glue your foam pieces, box parts, pvc etc. together into your final shape.
Coat with Laticrete, may take several coats, with 24 hours dry time in between (clean up your work station so your parents are freaking about the "extra mess that darn snake creates" in between phases)
Once it's thoroughly coated, wearing gloves and using a foam brush, pat on the silicone. May take a few touch ups. Let dry completely.
Spray with faux stone paint.
Seal if desired with a matte spray.
Set in cage and watch your snakes play!

You can also make little holes in the "rock" and, when the project is complete, stick some fake plants in them. Make it look as natural as possible, choose wispy grass, or flowing creepers.

have fun!

lucky i want a ranch(pics suggest u live on one) i will end up goin on jogging path i found a really beautifull blue rock illl post pics of one and ill drill holes in it!

[mustang]

the continuation of a pariluss jounrey of a boy getting a bigger snake tank and learning how to spell is on the new thred "so far so good"