Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am planning on getting a new enclosure for Annika and I am thinking about doing a few things differently than I have been. I have decided in favor of a standard 40 gal long tank with a sliding screen top to replace the current 20 gal long one. As much as I would love a Vision enclosure, none of them are the right size - by the time they are as long as I want, they are far too deep.

As for heating, I would like to switch from heat lamp to an under-the-tank heater. The local pet stores have ReptiTherm heaters in various sizes and one store has a regulator to plug the heater into so you can adjust the temp. I have heard multiple horror stories about heat rocks malfunctioning and killing reptiles. Do I have the same risk with UT heaters such as ReptiTherm? I would like to replace the heat lamp with something a little more energy efficient if it is still safe. I have also heard a lot of good about ProProducts radiant heat panels, but since I have a top opening tank, I don't think that would work too well.

I will also be a bit more careful about making sure the temperatures are right. I have a thermometer in the warm spot now, but I have ideas to make it a bit more sophisticated in the future.

Also, the local pet store has fir bark substrate that looks really nice. I have heard that pine is bad for snakes, but I have also heard that the bark doesn't have the dangerous chemicals in it. Is Fir bark okay or is it not worth messing with. I can always stick with aspen shavings.

thanks

jorj
Annika

>>I am planning on getting a new enclosure for Annika and I am thinking about doing a few things differently than I have been. I have decided in favor of a standard 40 gal long tank with a sliding screen top to replace the current 20 gal long one. As much as I would love a Vision enclosure, none of them are the right size - by the time they are as long as I want, they are far too deep.
>>
>>As for heating, I would like to switch from heat lamp to an under-the-tank heater. The local pet stores have ReptiTherm heaters in various sizes and one store has a regulator to plug the heater into so you can adjust the temp. I have heard multiple horror stories about heat rocks malfunctioning and killing reptiles. Do I have the same risk with UT heaters such as ReptiTherm? I would like to replace the heat lamp with something a little more energy efficient if it is still safe. I have also heard a lot of good about ProProducts radiant heat panels, but since I have a top opening tank, I don't think that would work too well.
>>
>>I will also be a bit more careful about making sure the temperatures are right. I have a thermometer in the warm spot now, but I have ideas to make it a bit more sophisticated in the future.
>>
>>Also, the local pet store has fir bark substrate that looks really nice. I have heard that pine is bad for snakes, but I have also heard that the bark doesn't have the dangerous chemicals in it. Is Fir bark okay or is it not worth messing with. I can always stick with aspen shavings.
>>
>>thanks
>>
>>jorj
>>Annika

Ok
The 40 gallon tank will work well.
I would highl;y recommend the thermostat with the UTH.
The problem with the old heat rocks is there was no way to regulate the temps and the went INSIDE the tank.They had a tendency to malfunction causing burns to snakes. The UTH goes under the tank as the name implies (under tank heater).
I would also recommend covering about half of the screen top just to help maintain a little better humidity.
I would not use the fir bark.
any evergreen can release toxic oils and the bark is the worse. The bark is where most of the oils are stored.
Go with something like aspen shavings, cypress mulch, news paper of paper towels.
Obviously if you are going for a more natural set up the paper towels and news paper would look good so you would want to lean towards the aspen or cypress mulch.

-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

_____

Thanks for the info. After reading that, I went back to my 2 neighborhood pet stores. I came home with a 40 gal tank, a UTH heater and rheostat, and a couple bags of aspen shavings. Time to give the new tank a thorough cleaning and set it up. Then I'll let it set for a day or two to verify the warm spot is the right temperature. Then Annika will have a new home!

Thanks again!

jorj

Ok, its all set up and I'm doing some testing with the temperatures. I have the heater stuck to the bottom of the tank. I have a small cardboard box with a hole cut in the side for an experimental hide box. I have the box setting directly on the bottom of the tank with no aspen shavings in between. Between the box and the tank floor it is about 95F. In the box it is about 85F.

Is it a problem that there is a possibility that the snake can burrow into the 95 zone? I would like to think it would be smart enough to move if it got too warm. I was planning on getting a nice little bottomless dome hide from a pet store but maybe the box with a bottom would be safer.

jorj

>>Ok, its all set up and I'm doing some testing with the temperatures. I have the heater stuck to the bottom of the tank. I have a small cardboard box with a hole cut in the side for an experimental hide box. I have the box setting directly on the bottom of the tank with no aspen shavings in between. Between the box and the tank floor it is about 95F. In the box it is about 85F.
>>
>>Is it a problem that there is a possibility that the snake can burrow into the 95 zone? I would like to think it would be smart enough to move if it got too warm. I was planning on getting a nice little bottomless dome hide from a pet store but maybe the box with a bottom would be safer.
>>
>>jorj

I would turn the temps down.
At the bottom of the tank, where the snake will spend most of its time, is where the temps are most important.
Strive for 85 at the hot spot and about 78 to 80 on the cool side.
-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

_____