Live plants in retic viv

iBaman · 08-02-12, 07:59 PM

Is this ok? He's only 6ft right now, and is going in a 55 gal to grow into. I was thinking about putting live plants in it to add some life to the tank. What kinds are ok?

alessia55 · 08-02-12, 08:02 PM

He's probably just going to crush them with his weight...

**millertime89** · 08-02-12, 08:02 PM

At 6 ft a 55g is already too small. Live plants are fine but they won't last with an active retic. They'll get destroyed, quickly. But if you're insistent try a pothos, about the only thing other than a fully grown bush or a tree that stands a chance.

iBaman · 08-02-12, 08:11 PM

Ohh. good to know. I was thinking they could help keep the humidity up. Is the 55 really too small? I was told it would be ok for a little while, as long as he gets his daily exercise. Right now, he's still living in a rack and does just fine

iBaman · 08-02-12, 08:12 PM

this tank is 4ft long, 2 ft deep and about 3 ft tall....really too small?

Rogue628 · 08-02-12, 08:31 PM

A typical way of measuring an enclosure for a snake is the length plus width need to be, at minimum, the same length of your animal. So for a 6ft snake, a 4x2 is sufficient FOR NOW. That animal you have will outgrow it within a month. It really needs something larger and in a hurry.

iBaman · 08-02-12, 08:51 PM

That's the plan, no worries. The 55gal is a temp fix, as I wasn't planning on adopting a retic. got my eyes set on a boaphile plastics cage.

Also...when I see other retics, like the 18 footers, they're usually in the 8' cage, some even the 6ft...explain why the 4 is too small?

asgrande · 08-02-12, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBaman

this tank is 4ft long, 2 ft deep and about 3 ft tall....really too small?

Those are the dimensions of that tank? A 55 is 4ft long x 1 ft deep x 2ft tall. What u have is a 120. ( if those are the right dimensions.

iBaman · 08-02-12, 11:47 PM

Oh. Snap! That's even better! I know those are the dimensions (It's my brother's tank, he's giving it to me, and he's who measured it). He said it was a 55 though xD

jarich · 08-03-12, 09:19 AM

It also depends on your lighting, or where the tank is placed. Pothos and philodendron will both do fine with your snake, as long as they have a bit of natural light coming through or a bright enough light source in the enclosure. I would think a spider plant would also do fine. I keep my pythons with plants, and have had no problems; both plants and pythons are thriving.

**millertime89** · 08-03-12, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBaman

this tank is 4ft long, 2 ft deep and about 3 ft tall....really too small?

That's not a 55g or that's not the dimensions. A 55 is typically a 48x13x20 (LxWxH). If that's the actual dimensions then you'r fine for another foot or two, but I wouldn't house the snake in there past 8 feet in length, which it should hit by year's end if on a proper feeding schedule. Your dimensions indicate a 150 gallon tank, that's quite a nice tank. If it doesn't leak I would sell it and get an appropriately sized Viv, you could get a viv that would house that your retic its entire life with the money you could get from selling that tank.

Wildside · 08-03-12, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millertime89

That's not a 55g or that's not the dimensions. A 55 is typically a 48x13x20 (LxWxH). If that's the actual dimensions then you'r fine for another foot or two, but I wouldn't house the snake in there past 8 feet in length, which it should hit by year's end if on a proper feeding schedule. Your dimensions indicate a 150 gallon tank, that's quite a nice tank. If it doesn't leak I would sell it and get an appropriately sized Viv, you could get a viv that would house that your retic its entire life with the money you could get from selling that tank.

Doubtful if it's just the tank alone w/o stand, hood etc. Non-leaker and used is gonna bring him $200 at the most. Now if you know of a place that sells vivs big enough to house a retic for the rest of its life for $200 could you pm me a link?

**millertime89** · 08-03-12, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildside

Doubtful if it's just the tank alone w/o stand, hood etc. Non-leaker and used is gonna bring him $200 at the most. Now if you know of a place that sells vivs big enough to house a retic for the rest of its life for $200 could you pm me a link?

Shiiiii.... I wish.
I was looking around and I was seeing asking prices in the 300-600 range depending on a few different variables for that height. I'm also now seeing them listed as 170 or 180 gallon tanks, so I'm honestly not sure.
Regardless, if he were to sell it it would make a nice dent in the cost of a full sized viv.

iBaman · 08-03-12, 11:35 AM

It's a tank with the stand, hood, self circulated system (for fishes). It doesn't leak or anything either =3 I can make a cage for less than $200. Good to know it's a 150 though! I don't plan on keeping him in it too terribly long, but it's nice to have something available while I build his new enclosure (I hate calling them cages...bleh) Thanks for everyone's help!...and also, I'm a girl ;D

Necrias · 08-03-12, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBaman

That's the plan, no worries. The 55gal is a temp fix, as I wasn't planning on adopting a retic. got my eyes set on a boaphile plastics cage.

Also...when I see other retics, like the 18 footers, they're usually in the 8' cage, some even the 6ft...explain why the 4 is too small?

A 4x2 is perfectly fine until they reach 8+ ft long. I have 6x2.5 footers for all my burms, and if I ever get any retics I will house them in the same size, unless they are an exceptionally large female. Then I would go 8x2.5, but no larger. I have a few reasons for this philosophy:

-adults will usually be coiled up in one of two places... the hot side or the cool side. They only need enough room to thermoregulate, any more is just wasted space

-snakes tend to feel more secure and will eat better in a more confined space. I recently moved one of my problem feeders (2 ft BRB) from a CB70 back into a 6 qt tub, and she is now eating much better and is less flighty/defensive.

-There are a few exceptions to this; I think adult carpets and scrubs do a little better with more space, but they are in no way "unhealthy" or in danger if in a "normal" sized enclosure.

And as far as the live plants, I would prob not do it, the retic will instantly destroy it lol.

Quote:

Thanks for everyone's help!...and also, I'm a girl ;D

You're welcome, that's what we are here for! And it is very nice to see a female herper, usually when girls find out I have snakes they become suddenly less interested in me lol.