Trip to Michaels

[Lori P]

Stephi, their home is looking great! They are sooooo adorable. I'm really getting into these Florida Blues... I stare at mine in just utter awe. They're my favorite (I can still have 15 favorites, right?!!)

Packrat-ism.... yeah.... wonder why they haven't come up with a vaccine for that yet?? lol

[Sid]

I like the transparent lable. Puts the inf you want on the enclosure without distracting from the enclosure or snakes. Nice job, Stephi.

[Garter_Gertie]

Steph, looks FABULOUS! I'm still trying live. The moss in Niizh tank died. I think too hot and not enuff humidity.

I can't believe the labels! I must have the ESPN-thing going! I was actually thinking yesterday of labeling the garter tank!!!!!

[mtolypetsupply]

Wish I had a dollar for every time some stranger knocked on the door to ask if I would sell this or that, I'd have a nice pile of money by now.

Imagine how much you'd have if you actually sold the *stuff*!!!!


Thanks for the compliments, everybody! Mr. Pack-rat mocked my labels, I'm glad there are others that appreciate them!

[infernalis]

Imagine how much you'd have if you actually sold the *stuff*!!!!

Some day I may find the carburetor I need for that tractor

(by then the tires will be rotted off the rims)

Then of course the kids inherit this strange behavior, and start bringing home every broken bicycle they see, oh forget the new one you just bought last week, the one on the curb has hand brakes!

[mtolypetsupply]

I think they're feeling much more secure now, too. I saw Ernestine atop the log hide. Neither of them hung out there before, and she didn't even scurry away. Just hung out looking at me like "Well, it's about time you got what we were about!"

[reptile3]

Stephi, great tank & set up!!! Glad they are doing well!!

[anji1971]

Awww.......their house looks pretty!
Gotta love Michael's. I discovered the place a couple years ago when I was planning my wedding. I made EVERYTHING I could figure out how to make for it. My husband still cringes if you mention the name of the store!

[Garter_Gertie]

Hhhuuummmmm.... Maybe I should go fake for P & J's sake. FORGET THE ROBO BOYS! They'd be happy in a bare naked tank!

Poor P & J are sssssoooo... genteel... I bet much more cover would make them so much happier.

I never thought o'that. I could mix fake and live. Poor boys! I feel so STUPID and bad for them!

[mtolypetsupply]

Gertie, don't feel bad! It's often that we all have those "Aha!" moments, and you should feel good you came up with the blend Idea!

If you've got the knack for live, go for it! I'd love to do live, but since I'm just starting out, I'd like to only have to worry about keeping the inhabitants alive, not the whole tank! Your idea of a mix of live and fake is great!

I'm good at keeping plants, just am not willing to make the leap to a whole vivarium. Are you keeping your live in their pots, or do you plant right in the substrate? If you're keeping things in pots, you might want to look into those crystals you add to the soil to retain water, potted plants lose a LOT of water daily.

Also, I know that supposedly snakes don't need the UVA and UVB from sunlight, but your plants definitely will. You can do quite well with low light plants if you put a plain old fluorescent light above them. Even the curly-q bulbs. Plain ol flouorescents won't cost you an arm and a leg like the "full spectrum, fancy pants, reptile specific, blah blah blah" $30/bulb lights do.

What plants are you choosing? It will be easier if you choose all plants that use the same light and water requirements. I know Home Depot and Lowes have those little potted plants for $1.49, and they have a great selection. At that price, you could probably get a few months out of them, and even if they don't fare so well, just replace when they get icky.

Personally, I think that all critters we keep in created habitats thrive with as close to natural surroundings as possible. I'd love to have my fish tanks planted, the snake enclosure planted, a nice dog area of the yard where they could dig dens and climb on stuff, and a whole catnip/oat grass enclosure for my kitty, and my dream is to one day bring my horse home (when we move of course) and plant amazing pasture for him. That's just not a possiblity for me right now.

One day, I swear I will pirate that plan for the planted viv with the plexiglass partition for the swimming area and the peagravel/burlap/charcoal/soil substrate and live plants, though!!!!!!! I don't remember who made that, and I know I'll lose this whole post if I go looking for it now, but YOU ROCK, Forum Member Who Made That! Post some pics to show us how it's growing now!