Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My 2 1/2 foot BP is housed in a 29 gallon right now, i think its time for a new aquarium. should i get a 40 gallon for 80$ or shoot for a 50 for 100$? i think the 40 should be a good size, its shaped different (adding more width and length, decreasing height) so id be getting more room. Also, whats the best way to set up a T-Rezx Cobra Heat mat under an aquarium. I made a mistake by sticking the one i have on now, so i cant take it off without breaking the adhesive strength. How can i elevate this aquarium? i was thiking of putting peices of 2x4 diagnolly across each corner, so my Heat mat gets air flow (this is going on my dresser) Should i buy a screen top, or try and make a plexiglass top? can i tint the aquarium with 10% limo tint, or would it be a waste of time? what kind of heat lights should i buy in addition to the heat mat to raise ambient temp? this will be a show-cage for my room, so i need a natural looking substrate too. I am now using forest bark , but im thinking of changing if their is better out there. I want a substrate that i can spray to raise humidity, and i can put damp terrarium moss directly onto it with out the risk of mold.

or should i buy a vision cage @ 185$ (36" W x 28" D x 18" H)

When my first BP needed to move from her 20 gallon, I didn't know what to do either. I bought her a nice big Vision cage, and it works well. It is sooo much easier to keep her humidity and heat at proper levels. However, I do have a couple problems with the vision- she climbs on the ledge above the doors and falls, and I have some for my corns on a slightly uneven surface and they are slowly but surely warping, making the glass gap open a tiny bit. A big plus with these is that they are lockable and the locks were not expensive.

If I were you I would not go for an aquarium- heavy, hard to heat and keep humid and I much prefer the side doors to a top opening. Visions are all right- I bought mine from RL reptiles- very good service- but you should look at Boaphiles www.boaphileplastics.com and also BARRS at www.herpcages.com as well as other cages to see what you like. Aquariums are OK and cheaper, but I would NEVER go back to them now that I've had other caging. I don't think my BP would either.

Aquariums are OK if you live someplace warm. For what tou are planning on spending thouugh, you can build an awesome show quality cage if you are at all handy. First off, glass has no insulating qualities, so its extremely hard to get into the high 80's during the day.I live in Connecticut and my snakeroom is in the basement where it can get pretty cold! I build all my cages out of 3/4 inch plywood. Wood holds in the heat 10 X better than glass or fiberglass. Some people use melamime, but it is heavy and made with particle board. Few people realize that particle board contains formadehyde! I paint the inside of my cages with a good laytex made for kitchens or bathrooms. You will need to repaint every couple of years but its worth it. I have used this in 6' high emerald tree boa enclosures that had foggers that went on every night without affecting the wood. Once tou have the 3/4" plywood "box" built to the size you want, measure the front opening and go to your local glass shop. They will make you up a track and glass to simply install a set of sliding glass doors. Leave a 3 or 4" retaining wall at the bottom front for substrate so the bottom track doesn't get full of it. Heat tape with a reostat (dimmer switch) can be simply installed on the back side of the cage for heat . A piece of heavy guage plastic can be duct taped to the bottom if you are planning on keeping the bottom wet to protect the wood.Simple flouresant lighting can be bought anywhere very resonable. I have been using this type of home grown cage for over 30 years with no problems! As far a substrate, I use cypress mulch or pine bark (NEVER CEDAR!) mixed with some spagnam moss. This only needs to be misted when it dries out (every 3 or 4 days). All my snakes shed in one piece. With a table saw, a sheet of plywood and a free afternoon, you can custom build a cage you can be proud of and will hold in the heat and humidity like no aquarium can!