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andsm1
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
14 Posts |
 Posted - 23/03/2010 : 01:10:11
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I am considering moving my milksnake from a plastic box into a vivarium, and have looked at the exo terra glass vivs.
my snake is about 12 inches long and 6 months old, the size of viv i was thinking of is 60cm x 45cm x 45cm, does anyone have any experience on this type of viv.
i would like to decorate it with some fake plants, climbing branches and plenty of hiding places etc, but would like some thoughts before i part with my cash.
i also currently use a 6" x 11", 7 watt heat mat, which gives a surface temperature of 86 degrees at the hot end of the plastic box, would this mat be suitable to use underneath a glass viv that will probably have a thicker substrate level than the current plastic box has?
Andy
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Triangulum
Moderator
United Kingdom
569 Posts |
Posted - 23/03/2010 : 11:34:40
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Hi Andy,
If you want my personal opinion on the Exo Terra's. I'd say stay away from them when regarding snakes. I believe they are are more suitable for lizards/amphibians/inverts. This being for a couple of reasons. Glass tanks in general are terrible for keeping heat in or keeping heat out, it is a poor conductor. Secondly, the all open glass sides are extremely stressful for a snake, especially such a shy species, Milksnakes. Exo Terra's are tall, most snakes, well let's say most colubrids are not arboreal, so they are rarely going to use the space. An other warning to point out, the Polastyrene background is a nightmare for snakes getting stuck, inparticular Milksnakes and other shy species.
I only use Tub's, however If I was to go over to vivariums. I'd go back to wooden Vivariums. For the simple factor of they keep the heat superbly, extremely secure (if you make sure the glass is closed!) and not to open making the snake feel secure.
In regards to the heatmat, the rule is to use a heat mat half the size of the enclosure or one third. Note, a Thermostat should be connected at all times. ESPECIALLY if using with a Glass Tank.
Kind Regards,
Scott |
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andsm1
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
14 Posts |
Posted - 23/03/2010 : 12:05:43
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Hi Scott
Thanks alot for the advice, i'm glad i asked, think i wll avoid the exo terra and all glass tanks now, i will look into a wooden one now, i do use a mat stat with my mat, but was also given a ceramic heater, it doesnt look like a bulb, more of a flat plate (see photo), do you know if this would be ok to use if i put a mesh around it, i was also given a temperature thermostat, it looks a bit old but was told that they both still work.
if i attach the lamp to the ceiling at one end with the sensor on the floor under it, do you think that this would be suitable, i could then do away with the heat mat.
sorry for all the questions but i want to do it right
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Triangulum
Moderator
United Kingdom
569 Posts |
Posted - 23/03/2010 : 12:32:37
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Hi Andy,
I'm glad in a way I have talked you out of it. In regards to the Ceramic, I would only use that in a large Vivarium. Talking 4ft Plus, And Even then I wouldn't bother. Heatmats seem to do fine with me. The only times I would use Ceramics is in large Vivariums and when the Heatmat is struggling to produce a thermal gradient. Ceramics are basicly ambient heaters. Heating the complete vivarium, ideal if there is a draft or the room is rather cold. Saying that too, the Ceramic is going to add onto the electricity bill, and you'd need an other thermostat, In my eyes, not worth the money in this instance.
Depending on what Milksnake sub-species you have. A 3ft Vivarium would be suitable. Then a 11x11" Heatmat would be suifficent too, connected to your Mat-Stat.
Kind Regards,
Scott
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andsm1
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
14 Posts |
Posted - 23/03/2010 : 13:19:46
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scott
Thanks again for all the advice, i'm glad i found this forum, i will ditch the ceramic heater and just buy a larger heatmat and continue using my mat stat.
would i just tape the edges of the mat to the inside of the viv floor? and put a layer of aspen over the whole floor area.
does it not matter if the snake pees on the mat?
My snake is a nelsons milksnake by the way, he is only about 6 months old and about a foot long, i took your advice and have just bought a wooden vivarium from ebay made by vivexotic, i went for the 24" one as i didn't want to stress the snake by putting him in a too large enclosure, good price i think, £38 delivered.(contents not included, sadly).
thanks again for your invaluable comments
Andy
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Edited by - andsm1 on 23/03/2010 15:34:46 |
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Triangulum
Moderator
United Kingdom
569 Posts |
Posted - 23/03/2010 : 15:27:24
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Hi Andy,
Not a problem, everybody has to learn somewhere and somehow, and this is an ideal place. Interms of taping the Heatmat down, I would stay away from anything sticky. It's asking for trouble if one bit comes loose. I've heard of horror story's, snakes getting caught init. I tended to just lay it flat and the aspen on top. I know others use a sheet of slate ontop. Defecating on the heatmat isn't a problem, the heatmat itself is water-proof (don't test it though!), just be warned, it doesn't smell nice!
Kind Regards,
Scott |
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Triangulum
Moderator
United Kingdom
569 Posts |
Posted - 23/03/2010 : 17:50:39
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Thats a superb price for a 3ft Vivarium Andy. All the best.
Scott |
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Vivarium Advice Needed.
