Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is my first time on these boards posting but I'm a frequent reader, but I can't find anything that addresses this particular issue I'm having.

I have a 5 month old corn snake, which I was housing in a 20 gal long glass tank with split hinge locking screen top. However, I recently got a new stand for my pet and my roommate's that gives us more flexibility in the room (college students). This new stand is 13"x27" and cannot fit a 30" long tank given the posts on the sides. The stand does have adjustable shelves so height is not an issue.

My question is concerning all screen enclosures I've seen in stores. They are convenient in having front access doors vs. going in from the top and they fit the dimensions well, but my concern is how well they'll retain heat. In the past, I used a Repto-Therm mat heater that attached to the glass under the tank. The screen cages also are tall so they give a lot of room to climb, which my snake loves to do.

Thoughts? I still have the long tank which I'm going to keep at my house for when I go home on breaks, etc. but I was curious if the experts had any advice, alternative heating methods they could suggest, etc.

Thanks in advance,
MT

>>This is my first time on these boards posting but I'm a frequent reader, but I can't find anything that addresses this particular issue I'm having.
>>
>>I have a 5 month old corn snake, which I was housing in a 20 gal long glass tank with split hinge locking screen top. However, I recently got a new stand for my pet and my roommate's that gives us more flexibility in the room (college students). This new stand is 13"x27" and cannot fit a 30" long tank given the posts on the sides. The stand does have adjustable shelves so height is not an issue.
>>
>>My question is concerning all screen enclosures I've seen in stores. They are convenient in having front access doors vs. going in from the top and they fit the dimensions well, but my concern is how well they'll retain heat. In the past, I used a Repto-Therm mat heater that attached to the glass under the tank. The screen cages also are tall so they give a lot of room to climb, which my snake loves to do.
>>
>>Thoughts? I still have the long tank which I'm going to keep at my house for when I go home on breaks, etc. but I was curious if the experts had any advice, alternative heating methods they could suggest, etc.
>>
>>Thanks in advance,
>>MT

are you trying to put one or two tanks on the stand?
I'm a little confused when you say the posts get in the way.
I know you are talking about a 30 inch long tank and a 27 inch stand but I don't see why it would be extremely bad for the tank to hang 1 1/2 inches off each end. IF it is on top of the stand.
There won't be much weight so this shouldn't be an issue.
If this seems to be a problem there is another solution.
Go to the hardware store and have a piece of 1/2 or 3/4 inch plywood cut to the same dimensions as the tank (approx 30 x 13)
place this on top of the stand and the tank on this. Full support.
You can still use an under tank heater as long as you use the little rubber stops provided to raise the tank slightly off the board.
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

_____

reptarium/flexarium type tanks are great for temporary enclosures, I use them for taking my snakes outside when I want natural-light pictures. They aren't all that awesome for 'long-term' housing because it's very hard to regulate heat and humidity, plus there tend to be little thread-loops on the seams that always seem to be the PERFECT size for a little snake-garrote. I wouldn't trust a zipper closure anyways... corns can escape out of astonishingly small holes, and nobody wants escapees!