new terarium need some help

[unclejay]

well im building a nice 48"L x 16"w x 31"h enclosure out of wood im all most done i need to go get the glass cut for the doors mabee later this week, still building doors right now. im gonna house a 3ft corn snake in there and i want it to look very nice and natural. my question is can i use some sand in one area of the cage if i provide plenty of other substrates of better choice in another area or two. i really want this enclosure to be a conversation peice and want it to look the best it can. i would like to do like a desert area and a woodland area with some nice branches for climbing. i will post some pic later but i gotta get to work right now, oh yea what about water i have had a few snakes in my day but its been awile and im alot older (28) and my taste has changed from my childhood cages/enclosure but any way any help would be appreiciated

thats, Jason

[The Snake Guru]

I think one of the problems is you are trying to cram too many eco-systems into one area, while I applaude your enthusiasm and creativity, I don't see that type setup working very well. Better to focus on type of habitat and try to recreate it as best as possible.

~B~

[unclejay]

i was hoping to set it up like that but ill consider the word of an expert
here are some pic i just took, like i said its 48"x16"x31"h. the back is going to be screen like for a window(metal) if its not ideal i can change it out later but im gonna use what i have if i can. the front is going to be two hinged doors i got some hinges at lowes today like 1.97 for a pair i picked up 2 pair, im going to use plate glass 3/16 20"x25" with just a 1x2 frame would it be better to have the doors lift up or swing out im steering towards opening like a door but wonder if the other way would be better. any way im hoping to get my corn for my birthday on friday but dont think the cage will be ready, i do have an empty aqaurium like 30t mabee ill use it for a temp any way check out my design and tell me what ya think

Thanks, Jason

[The Snake Guru]

Looks like you've got a good start on it. One thing for sure....scrap the idea of using screen for the entire back, that much screen with a corn is going to cause problems with nose rubbing down the line. If you are going to use some screen for ventilation just use it in the upper 4" to 6" of the cage you don't want it down to ground level where the snake can rub back and fourth on it.

I would definitely go with the swinging doors, and not the lift out.

Also was this going to be a live plant terrarium? I ask because if you are going to plant this up you should look into plexi-glass or glass panels to line the bottom with, that wood would rot out in under a year without some kind of barrier.

the oevrall design looks very nice, I will be inetersted to see it as it progresses.

LOL Nah, I ain't no expert man, I've just built a lot of cages in my day, trying to save you some time and frustration. LOL

~B~

[knox]

First, I applaud you for seeking wisdom - I got lot's of input when I was building mine and I listened.

Secondly, I agree with Guru on all counts.

Choose one habitat and stick with that. You will be much happier focusing on one. And the swinging doors are better as well. If I ever build another, I will incorporate hinges on the sides of the doors. It just makes for easier access.

Keep us posted! It is looking great.

[Aaron_S]

Just think. If you concentrate on one eco-system then you have excuses for more cages.

[unclejay]

Guru,

entire screen back=srapped , good lookin out

doors are swinging

and im not sure about live plants but i love to garden what would be some good plants for a corn snake or just looks..... oh yea thats marine plywood i got from work, i want to paint the inside what would be good as far as type of paint .ie enamal,latex,acrylic

Knox,

im gonna focus on just one habitat, the desert sure would look cool but being a corn im gonna go with a woodland theme any ideas

Aaron,

u turned on the light bulb for me hmmm.......more cages=more herps+habitats


any way thanks guys ill keep ya posted

oh yea i got my glass today i could only find 1/8 inch but i think it will be fine with the door frames, im gettin close

Jason

[The Snake Guru]

and im not sure about live plants but i love to garden what would be some good plants for a corn snake or just looks..... oh yea thats marine plywood i got from work, i want to paint the inside what would be good as far as type of paint .ie enamal,latex,acrylic

Yeah even marine plywood isn't going to hold up forever, 2 mabey 3 years tops. If you are going to go with live plants make a plexi-glass box, or laminate glass panels to the wood in the base area as high up as the dirt will be....that way you don't have to worry about it rotting out.

Plants...ohhhh perhaps some Spider plants, Dracena, pothos, really any kind of sturdy nonoxous plant will do, I would look for ones that like shade or low light levels since you won't want to be flooding the terrarium with light, A mini-ficus tree would be kind of neat in there too.

paint wise I use Outdoor Latex and/or Acrylic, and then overcoat it in min-wax polycrylic (clear coat)...holds up great!

~B~

[unclejay]

I thought i would update for you guys, Ive been busy my wife and i have our own business (not to mention a baby due in less than 10 days) and have been swamped. but i have found some time to work on my enclosure (still waiting to get my snake didn't want to get it and keep it temp in another cage i figured it would be too much stress) i went with a light stain and poly its looking so nice i cant wait. the doors will be finished on tuesday and then all i need to do is fasten the back on ( I went with a pegboard back hope its a better material then screen Guru, let me know) and hang lights thermometer/humidity meter. My wife is going to paint a woodland scene on the pegboard like some tree trunks and such. on the pic the doors are just propped up there for demonstration
any way thanks for the input every one
later Jason

[The Snake Guru]

Looks fantastic man! That is really coming along nicely!

~B~

[reptilenut4sure]

That really is a nice looking cage, gave me an idea of using the "peg board" i will start posting stuff on my cages im buildin in the next couple of weeks.

[unclejay]

here are a few more pics. a cool log stepping stone i got at menards for 1.98, i did put a couple cotes of poly on it and a few pics of my enclosure realy close to done well i guess it is done i just gotta get out and find some props(decorations) and get my snake( the kid im getting it from is on vacation)
but ive waited this long so a few more days wont hurt. i do have a question about lighting im going with a cfl for illumination but for heat what kind of light should i use and can i get away with no uth if not mabee for just a while
any other tips on corns would be great thanks for the praise and input

Later, Jason

[unclejay]

[unclejay]

[The Snake Guru]

Looking really great man! Love the contrasting wood and black...very sharp!
~B~