And Now The Wait Begins!

[GarterPython]

My parents finally told me today that as long as I keep my grades up till May 5 and 6th and I buy everything.... I can finally get a corn snake! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY! I am so exited but I can't stand waiting till next month it is deadly. I need to find a tank too! I keep looking on kijiji but everyone is asking like 50$ for a 10-20 gallon tank with lid. I cannot stand the wait and it has only been almost a day! I do not know what type of morph yet so don't ask me that. I am just going to show up to the show with 150$ and buy whatever morph I want!

[Snakefood]

Congrats!!

Try freecycle if there's one in your area (google it) and garage sales for the tanks. And don't forget to make offers on those tanks on kijiji, most people just want them OUT!!

[GarterPython]

I have already made offers on every tank on kijiji that has been up for the past month and a half. Nobody will budge or it is already sold! I am in Alberta and it is still cold out so there arent really any garage sales out right now. But thanks for the freecycle thing I will check into it.

[KORBIN5895]

Good on you pal! Good to hear. Remember you could use a tote to get started.

[GarterPython]

Yea I have been thinking all the cage ideas through. Thinking about tubs, etc...... but I think I have decided on just getting a permenent tank from the beggining. I tryed the freecycle thing and they had one here but there was nothing on it for tanks, etc... I am hoping I can find a garage sale soon that has one. Even if I don't get a permenent tank and I just get like a 10 gallon I still want it to be a glass terrarium so it looks good. Since it will be in my room.

[lady_bug87]

get a rubbermaid tub. You can buy an appropriate sized one for like... 7 bucks

[GarterPython]

I like to make it look nice and I don't think a rubbermade container looks very good.

[Trollbie]

You can worry about a nice one later. What's important is that you'll finally have a cornsnake! No?

[GarterPython]

You can worry about a nice one later.

I guess.

What's important is that you'll finally have a cornsnake! No?

Yes!

[Trollbie]

I guess.



Yes!

Well then! :D

[KORBIN5895]

Easy fix garterpython ( is it Luke or Liam? ) . Keep looking for a tank but don't waste money on a tank just to get one. Find as nice a tank as possible. If you don't have one by the expo just pick a tote up on your way there or on your way home. It will give you a little extra cash to buy a snake and if you may find a nice setup at the expo.

[youngster]

I've never paid for a tank. Except for the supplies for the custom one.

It's quite easy really. Yard sales, garage sales, swap shops, just remember to clean it extremely well afterwords.

[GarterPython]

@Korbin My name is Liam and that is a good plan, thanks.

[millertime89]

I wish you were closer I would just give you one of my tanks.

[GarterPython]

Thanks Millertime! And I wish! There are so many reasons why I want to move to the states. Almost all of them are herp related.

[Trollbie]

Thanks Millertime! And I wish! There are so many reasons why I want to move to the states. Almost all of them are herp related.

How old are you?

[GarterPython]

I am 14........

[Rogue628]

Congrats! I'm really happy to see that your parents are going to let you have a snake! You've worked hard to get the opportunity!

As far as tanks, a tote will suffice until you find a tank you really like. I still keep my king in a tote and have no issues whatsoever. It's clear so I can still watch her when she decides to be active. Honestly I prefer using totes over glass tanks for any of my animals. I used glass tanks back when I first kept snakes and to me, the totes seem to be alot easier to keep clean, etc.

[GarterPython]

To you canadians out there then. Do you know any sites that will ship to alberta that have the right size of tote. Or just a site for like walmart that shows the one that will fit them for most of there life. Thanks! Only Canadian stores plz because you have to charge extra for shipping US to Canada at alot of sites.

[Trollbie]

I am 14........

I'll adopt you. You can be my snake nanny while I'm at work/school :D

[Trollbie]

You know you wanna live in Cali!!!

[GarterPython]

Okay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Trollbie]

Okay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let me know when you tell your parents and I'll start the paperwork :D

You can tell them I've been cleared by the FBI because I had partial custody of someone's kids before :p (for realz though)

[millertime89]

To you canadians out there then. Do you know any sites that will ship to alberta that have the right size of tote. Or just a site for like walmart that shows the one that will fit them for most of there life. Thanks! Only Canadian stores plz because you have to charge extra for shipping US to Canada at alot of sites.

just get something like a 30 qt (about 28L) It'll be huge for a baby but appropriate for an adult. You can go bigger or smaller depending on what you can find in your area.
Sterilite - Storage: Clears (http://www.sterilite.com/ProductCategory.html?id=17&ProductCategory=17&section=1)

[youngster]

I got a 108 qt tub (like 26 gallons) for my big male corn at Home Depot, but I don't think you have those in the frozen north do you? To me bigger is better.

[millertime89]

I got a 108 qt tub (like 26 gallons) for my big male corn at Home Depot, but I don't think you have those in the frozen north do you? To me bigger is better.

bigger isn't ALWAYS better. Is the 106 qt one of the taller ones? I've got my dwarf burm girl in a 74qt sterilite. I've never seen a short 106qt one. If so that thing has gotta be massively long.

[youngster]

It's 13 inches high.

33x20x13 about.

[MoreliAddict]

Congrats! Going to a show with extra $$ and choosing from a ton of morphs is so much fun.

[Kingsnakechris]

The walmart.com site only sells them in sets. Look around local stores tho everywhere has these things :-)

[GarterPython]

Thanks for the feed back everybody!

[GarterPython]

Rubbermaid Clear Roughneck Tote | Canadian Tire (http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/HouseofInnovation/House-Home/PRD~1423045P/Rubbermaid+Clear+Roughneck+Tote.jsp?locale=en)

Do you guys thin this is a good size for him? The 89L.

[alessia55]

Wooooot!! Congrats kid!! See? I knew it would finally pay off!! ;) Study extra hard and maybe they'll give you some pocket money for tank stuff too :D

[GarterPython]

Thanks alessia! Glad your back!

[Kingsnakechris]

Try to find the longer totes instead of the tall ones.

[GarterPython]

Its 36.4" L x 15.8" W x 13.9" H. So I think that it is long enough. And I don't think the height matters since I will be using a heat pad.

[GarterPython]

Also if I use a heat mat it wont burn the tub will it?

[millertime89]

nope, won't burn, all of my tubs are on heat mats or heat tape.
The tub looks misleadingly tall, but it sounds like a decent size for an adult. A bit big for anything under a foot for sure.

[Kingsnakechris]

Yeah. At first glance it looked like a standard tall tote. After reading the dimensions it sounds good. Just put as many hides in there as you can if you get a baby. Also, even if it has latching lids you may still want to drill holes around the lid to add locking pins. Colubrids in general are great escape artists, IF there is a way to escape, they will find it. ESPECIALLY corns... So I hear..

[theapexgerman]

Just make for sure you use an dimmer or something to control the heat I got an lamp dimmer for 6 bucks at lows

[Kingsnakechris]

And I use a zoomed heat pad on mine, so far no problems, I use a digital thermometer with a probe under the substrate right on top of the mat and another on top of the substrate. I use a light dimmer just to be safe tho, I leave it on full power most of the time but it's nice to know I have that little bit of control, just in case

[DavethePython]

Hey Garter , I am in BC ,and just a few hours away from you . I can have a look around I think I may have a tank kicking around or know someone who does. If I can find one I will pack it up and ship it to you free . You just pay for the shipping charges when you pick it up . Does that work for you?

[GarterPython]

Thanks DavethePython but I think I am going to stick with the tote. It seems like it will be alot easier all around, like keeping heat in and stuff. How do you drill the holes and put the latches in? I want as mush security as I can.

[GarterPython]

After you guys responses I think I am going to get that tote. We are going out shopping today for paint because my dad is doing the basment and I might get it then . After I get it I can start shopping for supplies!

[Kingsnakechris]

It's pretty simple, to drill holes, get a small drill bit and drill four holes around the sides of the lid. Just be careful and go slow and I use cotter pins (sp?). It provides that extra little security...

[GarterPython]

Thanks I think I will do that! I am still looking at totes to see if I can find a longer one that isn't so tall.

[theapexgerman]

Or you could use and heat gun I forget the other names for it but it works pretty good if you don't mind smelling plastic burning lol

[GarterPython]

^I don't get your post!

[youngster]

^I don't get your post!

No one ever does quite get him... ;)

[theapexgerman]

I was saying use an soldering gun to melt the holes through the tubs lot easeir than using an drill

[GarterPython]

Oh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[theapexgerman]

I forgot the name of it lol

[Kingsnakechris]

Lol. Yeah a soldering iron*** those work to but a drill is usually the more common house hold tool

[GarterPython]

^ Definitly! How many holes should I put in it and how big since he will be a tiny little baby when I get him, don't want him to escape through a hole.

[millertime89]

Use the drill with a small bit and put a ton of them in. With a baby corn I would be a little wary of a soldering iron making holes big enough for him to slip out of,

[GarterPython]

What would be small for a small bit?

[millertime89]

About the size of a ball point pen ink cartridge, not sure exact size. Just take one apart and see how big it is. You could probably go a bit bigger.

[Trollbie]

Yeah I think drill probably easier.

I'm stoked because I got an awesome tool box and a drill for xmas from my dad, and I finally got to use my drill today! :D

[Kingsnakechris]

Yeah, that's about right..... For a baby I'd go all the way across about a half inch apart. Just to be EXTRA safe....

[millertime89]

Yeah I think drill probably easier.

I'm stoked because I got an awesome tool box and a drill for xmas from my dad, and I finally got to use my drill today! :D

Of all the tools I have a nice chordless drill is still not in my arsenal. I did it backwards, I bought an air compressor and airI tools before I bought electric tools. That said I LOVE my air tools.

Yeah, that's about right..... For a baby I'd go all the way across about a half inch apart. Just to be EXTRA safe....

Yup, this is also why I bought a yearling, I wouldn't know what to do with a snake so small. That said, my cousin got his first snake today at the expo which was a very cool baby corn snake.

[Kingsnakechris]

Yeah, they are notorious for making their keepers say " how in the he'll did they FIT through that"!?!?!?

[Kingsnakechris]

What kind of corn did he get??

[millertime89]

I dont remember, a baby from southwest wisconsin reptiles. Jimmy is a friend. It was called something like a grayeye I think? Very cool looking.

[Kingsnakechris]

Nice, I'm getting my first pair of corns next month!

[millertime89]

Very nice, I must say I'm quite pleased with Mojo, I enjoy coming home and seeing her head poking out of her hide as if to say "hello, welcome home."

[Kingsnakechris]

Lol that's awesome. It took a few bites and solving a few " trust issues" but my female cal. King now does the same thing. Lol

[GarterPython]

Yea I can't wait till I get my corn! Thanks for the hole tips.

[Kingsnakechris]

No problem :-) just figured I'd share a bit of advice I wish I'd heard before searching all over the place for one of my hatchlings LOL

[millertime89]

Lol, even my BRB managed to squeeze through a hole I drilled in his tub that I swore was way too small for him. Its now plugged up.

[Rogue628]

I helped my friend set up his hatchling corn a couple of months ago. I don't ever remember seeing a snake so TINY! He was so little I had to literally see him eat a mouse pink because I didn't believe he could he was so little! lol

That being said, if you're getting a hatchling, I recommend a sweater box tub/tote thingie. And I'd put the holes closer to the top about a half inch or more apart. I was going to let my friend use my soldering iron but after seeing how little it was, I was leery of putting a hole that large in it for fear he could squeeze through it. So....what my friend did (and I'm not recommending you do this but to give an example) is he snipped off a straight piece of a wire coat hanger and heated an end up and used it to make the holes across the top of his little tub. It was painstaking work, but the size was perfect for air holes for his little guy and neither of us had to worry if he'd be able to squeeze through it.

The smell of burning plastic is awful to me, but I still use a soldering iron to burn holes. Next time I have to upgrade tubs, I'm going to go ahead and invest in a drill so I'll have several sizes to chose from as well as not smell the stench of plastic burning.

Either method works. I guess it depends on how comfy you are with each tool used and what you have available. If you have neither, soldering irons are cheaper. IIRC a cheap one at Wal-Mart is no more than 15 bucks. They don't seem to last me long though. I've killed 2 of them in less than a year. But I'm also always upgrading totes for 11 animals.

[Kingsnakechris]

Or a cheap dremil. That's what I used and a tiny drill bit

[GarterPython]

Awesome thanks for all the imput guys

[KORBIN5895]

Or just use a finish nail and hammer.