Advice Needed...

[Jack Neary]

I am thinking of buying a larger tank. I have a 10-Gallon aquarium now. Do you recommend buying a Terrarium or an Aquarium?
I'm thinking about buying a 20 Gallon tank of whatever you guys (and Gals!!) recommend.

Also... How many adult and Juvenile Garters should I limit placing in a 20 Gallon tank? (Can I also add smaller juvenile Garters and Browns with the 2 large Easterns I have?)
Thanks for all the great advice!
Jack

[jitami]

Jack, I wouldn't go any smaller than a 20 gallon long for your two adult Easterns. Then save the 10 gallon for browns or juvenile garters I'm actually planning on starting out two babies in a 20 gallon long, but I don't know if it will adequately house them when they are adults.

[Elliot]

A 20 gallon long will marginally hold 2 adult garters. I have my 2 ribbon snakes in a 20 gallon long, but then again they are a bit smaller than your average adult garter.

[Jack Neary]

What size do you recomend if the 20 gallon is on the small side?
Thanks!
Jack

[Snake lover 3-25]

29 or 30 gal for 2 LARGE adults.....AKA big girls..... i have 2 big girls and a medium male that are in a 20L.... but it is way to overcrowded.... so.... i might buy a 50 gal tank for......

[Elliot]

30 gallon breeders are pretty big, just not tall.

[Jack Neary]

Jack, I wouldn't go any smaller than a 20 gallon long for your two adult Easterns. Then save the 10 gallon for browns or juvenile garters I'm actually planning on starting out two babies in a 20 gallon long, but I don't know if it will adequately house them when they are adults.

OK... should I buy an Aquarium tank or a Terrarium tank? My concern is the height? Is taller better for the snakes? Is a Terrarium better in that its shorter an the light I would use will be closer to the snakes vs. higher awaya and not quite as warm?
Sorry... Just want to buy the right type of tank...
Thanks, again!
Jack

[crzy_kevo]

i am using a 30 gal 3'long 1' deep and 18" high
ATM i have 2 small girls only 19" long a medium girl 25" long (she will be moved into a 10 gal for giving birth soon) and a big girl 32" long (she is being released today because she is going to give birth soon too)

and it doesnt seem over crowded although they all like the one rock hide on the right side more than the wood hide on the left side so i think i am going to switch it up for another rock hide

[jitami]

Jack I don't think it really matters whether you go with the aquarium or terrarium. The advantage of the terrarium is that they usually come with a well fitting screen top and an aquarium you'd have to buy or build a top. It seems garters to like to climb, so the extra height is good, especially if you're going to put the two adult girls in it. As for the light fixture being further from the floor of the tank you have a couple of options there. One, buy a higher wattage and thus hotter bulb. Two, give them an easily accessible basking spot higher up near the light. Then they can choose to be up where it's warmer or not. Here's a thread discussing enclosure size vs. number & size of snakes. http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/encl...ize-two-2.html Hope it helps

[Jack Neary]

Jack I don't think it really matters whether you go with the aquarium or terrarium. The advantage of the terrarium is that they usually come with a well fitting screen top and an aquarium you'd have to buy or build a top. It seems garters to like to climb, so the extra height is good, especially if you're going to put the two adult girls in it. As for the light fixture being further from the floor of the tank you have a couple of options there. One, buy a higher wattage and thus hotter bulb. Two, give them an easily accessible basking spot higher up near the light. Then they can choose to be up where it's warmer or not. Here's a thread discussing enclosure size vs. number & size of snakes. http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/encl...ize-two-2.html Hope it helps

Thanks for the awesome advice, Tami!!
I have one small Garter that absolutely love to try and get out of the tank every chance he (or she?????) can. When I change their water bowl each morning, this snake comes right to my hand and starts climbing up my arm trying to get out. They are so amazing!