What Viv for my BRB?

[MrBD1980]

Hey guys,

Just a quick question about viv material.

I currently have a BRB housed in a glass viv (pic below). I find this great for humidity and can manage my temps.

Considering some advice from snakesitter on another furum i have been thinking about her viv size. Due to her now being around 2 1/2ft and the viv being only 2 x 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 I wanted to up her to a three ft viv.

I Have been looking at the exo terra 45x60x90 which looks good although just wanted opinions from anyone who uses a wooden viv about humidity. It would also be of use if anyone does use wood if they could advise what wood they use, I'm worried about both humidity and warp.

Here's her current viv!

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o515/MrBD1980/Snakie/7838080d.jpg



Thanks in advance guys!

[CDN_Blood]

Snakesitter is a member here also :)

It's plastic tubs all the way for my Rainbows. I found glass enclosures too lacking and too much maintenance for these snakes, and wood is pretty much out of the question considering the humidity level they require.

I can't see an Exo-terra being of much value because they have screen tops and you'd have to keep that blocked to retain any humidity, which will only lead to problems because proper circulation of fresh air is just as important as higher humidity. A snake kept in humid conditions without proper ventilation will very soon become a sick animal.

[Snakesitter]

Snakesitter is a member here also :)
I am? :::blinks in surprise::: ;-)

It's plastic tubs all the way for my Rainbows. I found glass enclosures too lacking and too much maintenance for these snakes, and wood is pretty much out of the question considering the humidity level they require.
Todd is correct. There are three primary factors to keep in mind for a Brazilian viv: humidity, temperature, and privacy (people often forget this last factor for these secretive snakes). Glass tanks score well on humidity (provided you cover the screen top), but not on temperature or privacy. Wood cages score well on temperature and privacy, but stink on humidity (you can negate this if you line them with plexi, but the process is neither quick nor cheap). Plastic vivs score well in all three areas.

[marvelfreak]

Todd and Cliff are correct. You can also go with something like a Boaphile type cage. This cages are made of plastic. They are very strong, hold humidity great, easy to heat, and give them privacy. With a plexi glass door you can still view them without disturbing them.
They are light weight and easy to move. You can stack them. The only down side is the price.

[GarterPython]

I would really like one of these snakes but the humidity would be hard to maintain. It is definitly a chose though. Sorry for changing the subject just thought I would say....

[Strutter769]

What about lining a wood cage with melamine? If all corners and seams are caulked, I don't see why that wouldn't work?

(Note - Allow caulk to dry thoroughly and cage to air out completely.)

[Tekpc007]

i also am doing my research , though my BRB is only a juvi still. The sterlite tubs work great , up to 105 quart clear ones are only 20$ and they are about 30x19x14 roughly.

I use a UTH by flukers thats 11x11 on the right side bottom, thats ok for plastic tubs under it with some pvc end caps for feet , plus i have a thermostat set to 85f. I do use a 12x12 granite tile right above the UTH inside the tub for more radiant heat and slow temp changes and less spiking. There is also a tile below the UTH on the table just in case of an issue with the UTH. The UTH doesnt actually cover half the bottom where you see tile , its more to the right and is about 1/3rd of the right side bottom of the tub.

It has a 24 inch led light on it , and i put some vents on the sides (PVC drain grates). I had just misted before this pic so it looks extra wet and my thermostat got cooled down momentarily . The little bungie cords keep the lid on there very well so there is no escapes and the hooks has silicone on the them to prevent injury.

He has wet hides (moss boxes) on both the cool side and warm side filled with moss and the dry hide (no moss ) there in the front left. I am having some issues with ambient heat , the temp drops to 71 at night and about 75 in the day and the warm side hide box is about 82F . He does prefer the cooler side it seems . Humidity holds at about 88% + or - 5% and I mist it about every 48 hours.

I do measure all spots with a laser IR temp gun and there are thermo/hygro units on each end inside the tub. Anyway , I built and got all this for under 150$ with everything you see in the pic. ! i have removed the dog dish sticker now also !


http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/1212/20120513142208.jpg

I am begining to look at some thing nicer as i dont like that its not see through enough , although Spock (my BRB ) only cruises around at nite usually. i spot him on the vines getting a drink sometimes. i plan to redo the bedding with more moss as he likes to borrow so ill likley add a 1 inch layer in a few spots. this should be fine for him until he is about 3 feet or so i'd guess.

for the future i'm looking at
Glasscages.com - Acrylic Knock-Down Terrariums (http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=ViewCat&lCatID=63)
Acrylic Knock-Down Terrariums

These seem nice and not too pricey and i can put it together myself and its lighter than a glass tank so easier to clean . The boaphile ones also look nice but i would like to have it all see though. I'm not so sure about the acrylic wear over time , but i could use a glass top to keep it humid.

anyway the tubs are great , easy to clean , cheap and work pretty well for RB's .

[millertime89]

The only thing I see there that I would change is a smaller water bowl. Nice t-stat btw :D

[exwizard]

The only thing I see there that I would change is a smaller water bowl. Nice t-stat btw :D
you need a big water bowl over the heat source for the extra humidity.

[Gungirl]

You can use a wooden viv as long as it is all sealed correctly. Seal all the wood twice before putting the viv together then caulk all edges and apply something like a wood glaze to the floor of the viv to allow for standing water at times. I did this for my GTP's viv and I could fill it with water if I made the door seal that tight with no issues. I used a furniture grade Oak plywood and oak trim pieces. I sealed it with Vermont naturals poly whey coatings and used Famowood 2 part epoxy for the floor of it.

[USMCgunner11]

You can use a wooden viv as long as it is all sealed correctly. Seal all the wood twice before putting the viv together then caulk all edges and apply something like a wood glaze to the floor of the viv to allow for standing water at times. I did this for my GTP's viv and I could fill it with water if I made the door seal that tight with no issues. I used a furniture grade Oak plywood and oak trim pieces. I sealed it with Vermont naturals poly whey coatings and used Famowood 2 part epoxy for the floor of it.

I've done something similar to this as well. I used a different product but researched it and made sure it would be safe. If you do go this route, make sure you give it enough time to cure.

[millertime89]

you need a big water bowl over the heat source for the xtra humidity.

I would disagree, especially with cypress as the substrate in a plastic tub. I seldom have to mist to keep my humidity above 80.

[MrBD1980]

Thanks for all the info guys and gals.

I'm being offered a 2nd hand exo terra at a really good price so think I'll try that.

I appreciate the points about plastic but can't seem to get a good transparent one here in the uk ( all the ones I have seen are either really expensive or get dubious reviews) and I really enjoy the glass as I often catch her exploring during the night.

I intend to build a larger viv for her as she grows but would like that to be once we've bought a new house so at the moment it's gonna be the exo terra. If it doesn't work out then at the price I'm paying I can just write it off and try something else.

I'll post pics of the new setup and some temp/ humidity info once it's sorted.

Thanks again guys, really helpful to have such a knowledge bank to ask!

Brian

[exwizard]

I would disagree, especially with cypress as the substrate in a plastic tub. I seldom have to mist to keep my humidity above 80.Its all good. I keep my BRBs in a rack with plastic tubs and I use large water bowls directly over the heat cable. That has worked for me to keep the humidity up and as far as Im concerned, even if you didnt have to do that, the extra humidity couldnt hurt Brazilians as they always need as much as they can get.

[millertime89]

I keep my BRBs in a rack with plastic tubs

I do too, but I use flexwatt or UTHs

[Snakesitter]

You both are 100% correct that it is possible to seal a wooden viv. It just requires an extra step...if people are willing to put in the work, go for it!

Other than humidity, my concerns with wood are weight, and being able to thoroughly disinfect the viv if you ever need to (due to all the little ridges). Most sources I have read always say to toss a wooden viv in a disease situation, whereas a plastic or glass tank you can treat.

[Gungirl]

You both are 100% correct that it is possible to seal a wooden viv. It just requires an extra step...if people are willing to put in the work, go for it!

Other than humidity, my concerns with wood are weight, and being able to thoroughly disinfect the viv if you ever need to (due to all the little ridges). Most sources I have read always say to toss a wooden viv in a disease situation, whereas a plastic or glass tank you can treat.

If you sand and seal the wood properly you could disinfect it just as well as you could plastic. I used a 2 part epoxy on the floor of all my vivs and it dries like glass.. easily disinfected. I have thought about doing the entire inside of the viv in it but due to cost and weight I passed.

[Kratos]

In the process of building a viv now and what I am using for the bottom of viv is a thick piece of white chemcast gp acrylic. I used this so I wouldnt have to worry about the floor getting moldie since BRB requier higher humidity and easy to clean. the rest of the viv is pressuer treated wood so it will hold up to humidity for a long time and still going to seal it all up once I have everything set.

Here is the link to my post so you can check it out.

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/enclosure-reptile-room-showcase/92671-new-viv-brb.html

[MrBD1980]

Hey guys,

As promised here's a couple of pics of the new viv. Temps are holding at 74 cool side to 82 hot side and humidity between 80-88.

The viv is 3ft wide, 2ft tall and 1ft deep.

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o515/MrBD1980/Snakie/9fe7f4d8.jpg

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o515/MrBD1980/Snakie/bc9ef05c.jpg

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o515/MrBD1980/Snakie/b072a70f.jpg

Open to comments and criticisms!!

Brian

[Snakesitter]

Looks great, Brian! How does the new resident like it? ;-)

[hellosugaree]

Hey guys,

Just a quick question about viv material.

I currently have a BRB housed in a glass viv (pic below). I find this great for humidity and can manage my temps.

Considering some advice from snakesitter on another furum i have been thinking about her viv size. Due to her now being around 2 1/2ft and the viv being only 2 x 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 I wanted to up her to a three ft viv.

I Have been looking at the exo terra 45x60x90 which looks good although just wanted opinions from anyone who uses a wooden viv about humidity. It would also be of use if anyone does use wood if they could advise what wood they use, I'm worried about both humidity and warp.

Here's her current viv!

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o515/MrBD1980/Snakie/7838080d.jpg



Thanks in advance guys!


Animal Plastics (http://animalplastics.com/)
Plastic Reptile Cages, Tanks and Racks. Snake, arboreal, lizard and turtle light weight custom flexwatt heated enclosures. (http://www.boaphileplastics.com/)
Constrictors Northwest (http://www.constrictorsnw.com/)

Those are a few nice options. I've heard really good things about constrictorsnw cages. They are also shipped flat (cheaper that way) and assemble in like 5 minutes by a single person with a screwdriver. There are plenty of other options too, but plastic cages are easy to clean, hold humidity well, won't warp or rot, etc.

[MrBD1980]

Looks great, Brian! How does the new resident like it? ;-)

Hey,

Difficult to tell as she spent most of the last week in the various hides only exploring once where I've seen her but I reckon with a bit of time to settle she will really enjoy it!

I've deliberately put lists of hanging plants (fake) as she seems to enjoy climbing them and traversing them.

If I catch her out I'll try to get a picture!

[Snakesitter]

Awesome, looking forward to those picts!