Cali King Enclosure

jarich · 01-30-13, 06:06 PM

Another forum member asked me earlier to put up pictures of my planted California Kingsnake enclosure. Sorry for taking so long to get them up.

I planted this one much the same as all of my enclosures. Started with about an inch of small gravel, covered it with fibreglass screen, then added about 4-5 inches of soil. For soil I mixed topsoil with coconut coir, ground sphagnum moss, and some fine charcoal. Im contemplating getting some Salaginella for more ground cover, but we will see how it goes. Let me know what you think.

EmbraceCalamity · 01-30-13, 08:15 PM

Thank you.

I just had a bunch of surprise vet bills (and still going), so I'm short on money right now. I might have to wait just a bit to do this. I have the coco fiber and soil, but I don't have any gravel or fiberglass screen. Where would I get the screen? And do I need the charcoal?

~Maggot

-MARWOLAETH- · 01-30-13, 08:24 PM

If youre after ground cover,try Ficus pumila-it will grow up walls and branches and covers the floor with a carpet of leaves

EmbraceCalamity · 01-30-13, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -MARWOLAETH-

If youre after ground cover,try Ficus pumila-it will grow up walls and branches and covers the floor with a carpet of leaves

I'm definitely going to keep that in mind.

By the way, I never told you how much I love your avatar.

~Maggot

jarich · 01-30-13, 08:32 PM

The screen is very cheap, you can buy it by the foot for around $3 I think. It's the same screen you use for windows, so you can get it at any hardware store. The gravel you can often find at hardware stores too. I got my last 25 pound bag for $4.

As for the charcoal, no it's not essential but it does help. It's probably the most expensive part of the whole setup. A bag of it costs about $10 at any plant store

EmbraceCalamity · 01-30-13, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarich

The screen is very cheap, you can buy it by the foot for around $3 I think. It's the same screen you use for windows, so you can get it at any hardware store. The gravel you can often find at hardware stores too. I got my last 25 pound bag for $4.

As for the charcoal, no it's not essential but it does help. It's probably the most expensive part of the whole setup. A bag of it costs about $10 at any plant store

I'm broke right now. XD Does this hold burrows? My aspen bedding looks like one of those ant displays, and I want to make sure she can do that if I put in other stuff. Oh, and how much charcoal?

~Maggot

jarich · 01-30-13, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmbraceCalamity

I'm broke right now. XD Does this hold burrows? My aspen bedding looks like one of those ant displays, and I want to make sure she can do that if I put in other stuff. Oh, and how much charcoal?

~Maggot

Not much, maybe a handful or two for a gallon of soil. It holds burrows pretty well, yes.

EmbraceCalamity · 01-30-13, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarich

Not much, maybe a handful or two for a gallon of soil. It holds burrows pretty well, yes.

Okay, thanks. So now I guess it's time for me to really go. And you'll have to just deal with it.

~Maggot

**Aaron_S** · 01-30-13, 08:34 PM

It looks cool. It's just me but I really dig the idea of just growing plants in a terrarium with no animal.

jarich · 01-30-13, 08:49 PM

No it's not just you man. I think I might try a poison dart tank next with some really unique plants. Some of the ones I've seen are absolutely amazing. The plants are as cool as the frogs.

Corey209 · 01-30-13, 09:30 PM

Does anyone know if Zilla jungle mix is a good substrate for humidity/burrowing? I'm thinking of mixing it with eco earth.
Zilla - Where Reptiles Rule » Jungle Mix | Products | Bedding

jarich · 01-30-13, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corey209

Does anyone know if Zilla jungle mix is a good substrate for humidity/burrowing? I'm thinking of mixing it with eco earth.
Zilla - Where Reptiles Rule » Jungle Mix | Products | Bedding

What are you using it for? Neither of those are good for holding burrows on their own. You'd need to add topsoil, clay or sand to it.

Corey209 · 01-30-13, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarich

What are you using it for? Neither of those are good for holding burrows on their own. You'd need to add topsoil, clay or sand to it.

Just a boa, I want to give the option to burrow if she wants. Not really a fan of clay because it gets nasty with moisture nor sand.

Would top soil make the jungle mix easier to burrow in? and what ratios do you think would work well?

I haven't had much experience with substrate besides douglas fir and eco earth, I'm trying to do something nicer for my snakes.

jarich · 01-30-13, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corey209

Just a boa, I want to give the option to burrow if she wants. Not really a fan of clay because it gets nasty with moisture nor sand.

Would top soil make the jungle mix easier to burrow in? and what ratios do you think would work well?

I haven't had much experience with substrate besides douglas fir and eco earth, I'm trying to do something nicer for my snakes.

Ya topsoil will make it able to hold a burrow. Start with a 70/30 mix of topsoil to eco earth or jungle mix and see how well it holds. If you can make a ball out of it and it holds together, then it'll hold the burrow.

Corey209 · 01-30-13, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarich

Ya topsoil will make it able to hold a burrow. Start with a 70/30 mix of topsoil to eco earth or jungle mix and see how well it holds. If you can make a ball out of it and it holds together, then it'll hold the burrow.

I'll definitely try that with some jungle mix, thanks for the information.