tank help

iiPink · 10-03-12, 11:51 AM

so i have been looking at the things that i need to get for my Mar and im a lil mixed up about what i still have left to buy... as of right now Mar is in a 40 gallon tank 36" x 18" x 16",

1.i have the light one top as well as a CFL inside for right now untell i can get a real light on pay day...

2.sticks that i have got from outside stacked nicely Mar love is always hanging around,

3.water bowl with black rocks inside it to help him get in and out with out the plastic cutting him,

4.cooling box made from card bored,

5.a log thats hollowed out so he can get under

6.glass thermometer,

7.sticker thermometer on out side of the glass

8.newspaper

what is it i need to get... or would could be helpful later on mind u i have never owned a snake before this and only know what i have been reading

Gungirl · 10-03-12, 11:57 AM

Ditch the lights and get an Under tank heat mat along with a thermostat. You don't need lights they will only dry out the enclosure. Don't rely on the stick on thermometer for anything ( they are way off 99% of the time) get yourself a temp gun. Just make sure you give the snake a warm side and cool side each with a hide. You will also want to get some plexi glass or just use foil and wrap 90% of the screen fish tank top up. You want to eliminate the majority of the air flow to keep temps right as well as humidity.

h3h · 10-03-12, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iiPink

2.sticks that i have got from outside stacked nicely Mar love is always hanging around

Did you heat treat them, or use some other kind of prophylactic? There is a chance you could introduce your snake to parasites from wood you found outside.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gungirl

Don't rely on the stick on thermometer for anything ( they are way off 99% of the time) get yourself a temp gun.

10-4, You could even win a free temp gun...http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/ssnak...iscussion.html

- h3

Kingsnakechris · 10-03-12, 12:37 PM

Def. Make sure you treat the sticks. Also is it a screen lid you have?

Gungirl · 10-03-12, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h3h

Did you heat treat them, or use some other kind of prophylactic? There is a chance you could introduce your snake to parasites from wood you found outside.

- h3

I put sticks from outside right into my vivs.. No issues. Nothing on the wood will bother your snake unless its covered in mold. If you take dry/dead wood from outside simply look it over and then insert in viv. Don't worry.. Think about where snakes live in the wild and what they deal with. A random branch from the yard won't kill or make your snake sick.

Krissyw84 · 10-03-12, 06:44 PM

I was having a lil problem keeping the humidity right so I covered 3/4 of the screen top with Glads press n seal plastic wrap and the humidity is perfect. Its not accessible to the snake either. I have an under tank heater and a light about 6" above the screen top. The temp on the warm side stays around 86.

alessia55 · 10-03-12, 07:50 PM

This might help

h3h · 10-03-12, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gungirl

I put sticks from outside right into my vivs.. No issues. Nothing on the wood will bother your snake unless its covered in mold. If you take dry/dead wood from outside simply look it over and then insert in viv. Don't worry...

I've heard for years to heat treat wood and rocks from outside. I've never put anything "real" in any of my enclosures. Always been too afraid.

- h3

rmfsnakes32 · 10-03-12, 09:13 PM

My grandpa taught me to widdle wood as a kid so when I use would from outside I simply widdle the bark off works perfect

iiPink · 10-04-12, 01:51 PM

ok so as of yesterday afternoon tank update i got ligh a combo pack>1. ( Zoo Med Basking Combo Pack at PETCO )

undertank heater 2.( Zoo Med Repti-Therm UTH Under Tank Heaters at PETCO )

3.Rock Den Zilla Reptile Rock Dens at PETCO

working on the humidity

4. sceen top Petco Heat Resistant Screen Top at PETCO

as for the wood it was set out to dry for 2 days, and the black rocks i got from the petshop...

Gungirl · 10-04-12, 01:59 PM

With lights and a screen top your humidity will always suck. You need to return the lights and the screen top. Replace the screen top with a sheet of plexi glass or cover the screen top with aluminum foil ( anything to retain the humidity.) Rely on the under tank heater for its heat. It doesn't need any added light. Just the natural light that is in the room is fine.

iiPink · 10-04-12, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gungirl

With lights and a screen top your humidity will always suck. You need to return the lights and the screen top. Replace the screen top with a sheet of plexi glass or cover the screen top with aluminum foil ( anything to retain the humidity.) Rely on the under tank heater for its heat. It doesn't need any added light. Just the natural light that is in the room is fine.

thanks i wish i would have knew that before i got that stuff yesterday... do i think if i just cover one side with the foil of the screen and leave one light in i like to be able to see inside of the tank some times would that be ok?

Gungirl · 10-04-12, 06:43 PM

I wouldn't do that... I would simply return the lights and cover the entire top.

iiPink · 10-04-12, 06:56 PM

ok kool um what about if i have a old fish tank top with the light can that be used?

Gungirl · 10-04-12, 06:57 PM

Those normally have a flip up side and cut outs for filters. If you can seal any openings safely and find a good way to secure the flip up side shut then yes I think it will work fine.