Fish Tanks as Snake Enclosures

[nazanova]

Just a quick question for you guys. Would glass fish tanks be good to use as enclosures for snakes? I'm talking about the long, rectangular ones if they were the right dimensions?

[Hmmm]

No its hard to regulate temperature and humidity in them. Plus the size you need for most snakes can get quite expensive and for that price you could build your own.

[nazanova]

No its hard to regulate temperature and humidity in them. Plus the size you need for most snakes can get quite expensive and for that price you could build your own.

Ok thanks for the help.

[wrecker45]

I have never had a problem with tanks. Bought most of mine at yard sales. I am switching to pvc cages. Better looking and some of my guys are out growing there tanks.

[franks]

It is perfectly fine for many snakes. Glass tanks do not retain humidity well. For that reason many of us advise against them for species requiring higher humidties. If i remember right you have a corn snake? A fishtank will work fine for a cornsnake if that is why you are asking.

[BIGT FROM F.B.]

I have a 5 foot snake in my 150 tall that I used to use a an aquarium. The heat pad seems to do fine through it. Also, I like it because if you spill water on the glass, it's much thicker and won't bust from the quick temperature change.

[nazanova]

It is perfectly fine for many snakes. Glass tanks do not retain humidity well. For that reason many of us advise against them for species requiring higher humidties. If i remember right you have a corn snake? A fishtank will work fine for a cornsnake if that is why you are asking.

Yes your right Frank. I was just looking for an adult enclosure for him on a selling website much like ebay but I think it's only over here in the UK and I saw fish tanks starting to come up and they all seemed much cheaper so I just wondered. I'm assuming you wouldn't be able to use them for, say, a Carpet Python? Thanks for the help.

[eminart]

"Fish" tanks are exactly the same as any other glass tank. They'll hold humidity fine if you cover most of the top. Temperature can fluctuate a little more easily than something made from wood or other material. But, they've been successfully used for decades.

[nazanova]

I have a 5 foot snake in my 150 tall that I used to use a an aquarium. The heat pad seems to do fine through it. Also, I like it because if you spill water on the glass, it's much thicker and won't bust from the quick temperature change.

Oh brilliant that's good to hear. What snake is that calls the fish tank home?

[nazanova]

"Fish" tanks are exactly the same as any other glass tank. They'll hold humidity fine if you cover most of the top. Temperature can fluctuate a little more easily than something made from wood or other material. But, they've been successfully used for decades.

That's good to hear I think I'll have to give them a try. What exactly do you mean by "cover the top"?

[BIGT FROM F.B.]

Oh brilliant that's good to hear. What snake is that calls the fish tank home?

Albino Rat Snake

[nazanova]

Albino Rat Snake

The name just sounds awesome lol. I haven't ever researched anything about Ratsnakes... I think I'll start tonight :)

[Jim Smith]

Like many people here, I have used both successfully. In my opinion, the biggest drawback to using an aquarium is that the top access is MUCH less convenient than a front sliding or hinged cage. It's much easier to access the snake and clean the enclosure etc., with the front access. That said, I believe that there are some people here that lay the aquarium on its side with the open top facing forward and build a plexliglass "front" to the aquarium that makes it function much like a PVC cage. Just a thought...

[nazanova]

Like many people here, I have used both successfully. In my opinion, the biggest drawback to using an aquarium is that the top access is MUCH less convenient than a front sliding or hinged cage. It's much easier to access the snake and clean the enclosure etc., with the front access. That said, I believe that there are some people here that lay the aquarium on its side with the open top facing forward and build a plexliglass "front" to the aquarium that makes it function much like a PVC cage. Just a thought...

I could do that. Maybe when I get a GTP somewhere down the line.

[SnoopySnake]

Fish tanks can work just fine with the proper modification, I use one for my rainbow boas which need humidity at 85%+. I just bought acrylic and got it cut to the size of the lid, and then made a lock using the lip of the tank. I would prefer a nice PVC cage, but if you can't afford one fish tanks can work nice too.

[nazanova]

Fish tanks can work just fine with the proper modification, I use one for my rainbow boas which need humidity at 85%+. I just bought acrylic and got it cut to the size of the lid, and then made a lock using the lip of the tank. I would prefer a nice PVC cage, but if you can't afford one fish tanks can work nice too.

I plan on getting a Rainbow Boa in the very far future and when I'm experienced enough so knowing they need so much more extra care then other snakes I'll be going for a very expensive/perfect set up indeed.

[Pirarucu]

Depending on the species and what modifications have been made to the tank, they can work fine or they can be deathtraps. For larger species they will certainly become very expensive though.