New to Snakes, with a few questions!

amandarenee · 10-13-09, 10:10 PM

Alright, I love snakes. Period. Always have. But my husband is really afraid of them. So, when we recently visited a pet store and I started talking about getting my aquarium set back up and HE suggested I get one of the cute little corn snakes instead, I was floored!

So, for the past week or so we've been planning and I've been reading everything I can about caring for and keeping corn snakes. And I have read a LOT about people making their own vivariums out of things like bookshelves, coffee tables, and tv stands.

I was hoping that some people would be willing to share their DIY ideas (with photos!) to get me started. We were at a thrift store the other day and saw one of those gigantic tv's-in-a-cabinet, and thought it would make a really interesting home for our future snake. Anybody ever converted a tv? He's really handy, and he thinks he could even wire the tv knobs to turn on/off day & night lights!

Oh, I have a 10(ish) gallon tank sitting in my garage that we could use a temporary home. I belive that it would be quite sufficient for a few weeks if not a few months, until the snake is bigger or the "new" vivarium is finished.

Billyh · 10-14-09, 01:15 PM

I just made a nice snake cage out of an octogon end table with glass all around, The main thing is making it waterproof, because there are always accidents, spilt water ect. I used a good coat of kilz oil based primer, and then covered it with a high gloss cabnent and trim paint, let it dry for a week and cleaned it with soap and water, it is a breeze to clean! I also sealed it up good to keep the heat in-but not airtight, so it still gets some fresh air. I also made another out of some scrap plywood and just a piece of glass I had laying around. Both of them together only cost me $75 in materials. I will try fo figure how to get pics on her later. Good luck!

Billyh · 10-14-09, 01:36 PM

I am tryin to figure it out, but it don't look like it is going to work

Will0W783 · 10-14-09, 01:40 PM

BillyH those are nice-looking cages! They dont' have to be 100% waterproof, just enough that spills wont' warp the wood. Melamine is the best material to work with if you want to use some sort of wood, also plastic sheets work. I have all melamine caging in my snake room, and they stack nicely and really hold humidity. But they weigh a TON! Seriously each cage empty is like 120lbs.

amandarenee · 10-14-09, 11:34 PM

The octagon viv is amazing! I totally wouldn't have thought it would turn out that well. Bravo!

Billyh · 10-15-09, 06:47 AM

I wanted to use melamine but I am kinda broke right now

and it is 4x as much as the plywood was. But you are right it is the easiest to use. Southerlands also have some 4x8 sheets of rock-looking paneling that would be an awesome backdrop, too bad I have more ideas than money!

Will0W783 · 10-15-09, 08:47 AM

That's always the case- more ideas than money. You'll be ok. Just make sure you seal the plywood really well with a weatherproofing, waterproofing sealant and let it dry so there's no fumes left and it should be ok.