Substrate Question

[warnerk]

Just curious what your opinions on using water as a substrate in a GTP enclosure...yay? or nay?

[Lankyrob]

I have read about people doing it but NEVER seen one in the flesh or on ANY forums :)

[jarich]

I think it's fairly limiting and don't really see the point. Soil is able to keep humidity high enough and they can actually make use of it then.

[Gungirl]

I think it would be a pain in the butt.. I use cypress.

[warnerk]

Then I'd like to show you guys what it looks like and such because its very visually pleasing. i have a bunch of fish swimming beneath him, its really cool. Ill have to take a video and id like some feed back on what you think.

[alessia55]

Then I'd like to show you guys what it looks like and such because its very visually pleasing. i have a bunch of fish swimming beneath him, its really cool. Ill have to take a video and id like some feed back on what you think.

I'm really curious to see this...

[warnerk]

I'm really curious to see this...
I'm gonna take a video and upload it to youtube tonight then give you guys a link

[Norm66]

I'm gonna take a video and upload it to youtube tonight then give you guys a link

Looking forward to it.

[shaunyboy]

Looking forward to it.

^^^^^
me to,the fish sound pretty cool mate

cheers shaun

[Brazen17]

I will stick with cypress but please post your video and maybe you can convert me! I would be worried about the water quality for the fish when the snake urinates and defecates. Also my gtp explores the ground quite often at night. The main thing is that it works for you.

[Edmond Y]

Too wet can cause more problem than a little dry. Cypress is more ideal.

Edmond

[jarich]

Ha! Sneaky! You already have it, so that's a different question. ;)

I'm not sure what sort of ramifications might or might not occur, but there is a certain limitation for your snake with a water substrate. It can't make use of that space really. I'm not saying that its terribly detrimental, but I'm not sure of the benefit to your snake from it either. My GTP spends a reasonable amount of time on the ground. That's not really optional for yours. Not saying its bad, just limiting.

[millertime89]

I've never even heard of it but I would love to see it. If you could provide pictures as well as the video I would be hugely appreciative.

[warnerk]

I've never even heard of it but I would love to see it. If you could provide pictures as well as the video I would be hugely appreciative.
will do my friend. i took a video buts its garbage so i will have to take another tonight and then ill have the whole shabang up in one run :Wow:

[warnerk]

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/245/photo1ug.jpg

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/5535/photo11a.jpg

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/7448/photo13bi.jpg

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/2018/photo12xh.jpg

[SpOoKy]

That looks REALLY cool!!!

[millertime89]

Very cool, I'm curious, have you ever seen your GTP down by the water's edge or possibly swimming/submerged?
Again, thank you for sharing.

[Lankyrob]

Just expressing an opinion and NOT having a go in anyway :)

To me it looks nice but my GTP regularly uses the floor space so i would be concerned about restricting its movements, also mine feeds hanging upside down and looking at the distances in your cage he would be eating underwater :)

Do you have any issues with mold on the branches/decoration that is part in the water? And what about filtering/cleaning the water, if i remember correctly you have fish in there? Are they healthy having snake poop landing on them?

Again - not saying you are doing anything bad, just questions taht came to me whilst looking :)

[alessia55]

Rob has some really good questions I'm interested in learning about too....

Aesthetically, it looks REALLY nice though!!

[warnerk]

VIDEO OF ENCLOSURE !! - Green Tree Python Enclosure - YouTube :eek:
(http://youtu.be/AXEGgE--QTw)

[Brazen17]

It looks cool. Do you have any water movement? If not stagnation may be a problem especially with the snake relieving itself in the water from time to time. How often do you do water changes? Any fish? Maybe you could use some type of fish/crustaceans for cleanup crew duties!

[shaunyboy]

re the video
is it just me or does the gtp look like its skins tenting ?

theres seems to be a lot of slack skin on it

its carpets i keep,so i'm unfamilar with how a gtp looks during shed etc

if a carpet looked like that,imo it would be dehydrated

the set up looks great though if the gtp's in good health

cheers shaun

p.s.i'm not having a go at you

[warnerk]

Just expressing an opinion and NOT having a go in anyway :)

To me it looks nice but my GTP regularly uses the floor space so i would be concerned about restricting its movements, also mine feeds hanging upside down and looking at the distances in your cage he would be eating underwater :)

Do you have any issues with mold on the branches/decoration that is part in the water? And what about filtering/cleaning the water, if i remember correctly you have fish in there? Are they healthy having snake poop landing on them?

Again - not saying you are doing anything bad, just questions taht came to me whilst looking :)

He has enough space to eat hanging off a branch, mold hasnt really been a issue but algae has started to form especially on the tiny water fall i have (check the video to see it), the only water movement i have in there is the pump which causes the water fall and the fogger splashing up the water constantly. the fish dont seem to mind the occasional snake poop and skin that float down to the floor. I only have 3 fish in the tank at the moment and they have been in there for quite some time and seem to be doing just fine

[warnerk]

re the video
is it just me or does the gtp look like its skins tenting ?

theres seems to be a lot of slack skin on it

its carpets i keep,so i'm unfamilar with how a gtp looks during shed etc

if a carpet looked like that,imo it would be dehydrated

the set up looks great though if the gtp's in good health

cheers shaun

p.s.i'm not having a go at you

no its quite alright, i had a problem getting him to eat for about 2 months and he is also in the peek of his shedding phase so i believe those two factors makes him look a little rough but he also lost alot of weight during that 2 months. but he is eatting regularly now and is starting to look alot healthier. i dont believe he is dehydrated because i spray him heavily in the morning, a light spray in the afternoon, and then in the night the moisture peaks and often creates a morning dew effect on all the water bamboo

[warnerk]

Very cool, I'm curious, have you ever seen your GTP down by the water's edge or possibly swimming/submerged?
Again, thank you for sharing.
Yes actually i have, ive only caught him one swimming, i wasnt sure if he did it on his own or if he got a little top heavy and fell right into the water but he didnt seem to be in a panic so i figured he was just exploring

[warnerk]

It looks cool. Do you have any water movement? If not stagnation may be a problem especially with the snake relieving itself in the water from time to time. How often do you do water changes? Any fish? Maybe you could use some type of fish/crustaceans for cleanup crew duties!
I have a pump that creates a water, and i have 3 fish in there at the moment, some sort of catfish, but Id love to get some sort of crustacean for clean up ! ill have to look into it

[millertime89]

Yes actually i have, ive only caught him one swimming, i wasnt sure if he did it on his own or if he got a little top heavy and fell right into the water but he didnt seem to be in a panic so i figured he was just exploring

That's really cool, I might give this a go if I ever get a GTP. Did you have to reinforce the corners for the added weight of the water?

[jaleely]

Hm. Looks cool. Buuut to be a party pooper...i don't see that it will last long term. I mean, i can hope so.
I know fish dirty water quickly, and snake poop and pee is a lot...is there fresh water for the snake to drink? I find that my snakes are highly picky about their water source. Any stagnation, algea, poo, pee or stale or BAD (fishy) smelling water will prevent them from drinking. I've had them hold out for days (when i was working over time a few times i wasn't doing fresh water as often) and when i cleaned out the dish and put new water in...i had three snakes practically push me out of the way in each encosure and drink and drink...they were waiting for clean water...(yes, i felt horrible lol)

Anyway, as a fish keeper as well...both fresh water and salt water...i bet the water will be hard to keep clean in an area that small.
Do you have a fluval or a huge filter? Do you have natural bacteria filters? Even if you did actually, it would still be hard to keep the water clean with all the correct bacteria in it...and even if you did...i could see where that snake wouldn't drink and would be dehydrated.

I'd like more details on it, if you don't mind. It *looks* nice...especially with the mist...but....

[Lankyrob]

GTPs tend to drink off their own body when misted, some people dont even give them a water bowl :)

I use my GTPs bowl more for helping the humidity than for him to drink from.

[Brazen17]

Mine will do both. Drinks out of the bowl fairly frequently and, of course, directly off the body when misted.

My main concern are the same as jaleely's; how to keep the water clean. Maybe a bulkhead fitting on the bottom to drain out the water for water changes? Just have to watch to make sure the fish don't go down the drain!