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Living Vivarium?

P

Pyzik

New member
I originally wanted to build a living vivarium but the pet store I plan on getting the snake from said the lighting needed for a vivarium would be bad for the snake (particularly their eyes).

Is there any truth in this or is it just better to use faux plants?

Thanks!
 
If the room the viv is housed in has decent enough natural lighting and you use an under tank heater as many will strongly recommend you do, your snake won't need any extra lighting.

You can choose to setup some sort of non invasive viewing lighting, a low watt fluorescent for daytime, and red incandescent or led for night time. But that's all for you actually, not for the snake.

I have my viv across from my window, so between indirect sunlight and the room lighting, he gets plenty for his daytime cycle.
 
Crap, no edit, just realized your lighting is for the viv itself. Not sure on that one, probably better to use faux plants. Easier to take care of, clean, less chance of mite infestation, and no specific bright lighting requirements.
 
Thanks! I did plan on using under the tank heating. It just seems like the least cluttered way too.
I'll start the hunt for the most realistic plants I can find.

I need to figure out a nice dark, very dirt looking substrate.
 
Pyzik said:
Thanks! I did plan on using under the tank heating. It just seems like the least cluttered way too.
I'll start the hunt for the most realistic plants I can find.

I need to figure out a nice dark, very dirt looking substrate.
Click to expand...

Hey P,

Im just down the street from you in Romulus! We should get together for a play date some time.

Anyway, craft stores like Michaels actually sell an astonishing variety of foe plants and vines that can easily be added to your viv.

Im still not sure I understand why you dont want to use real plants? As long as the plants can survive in indirect sunlight (direct would be potentially bad for your scale baby) there shouldnt be any real issues...?
 
As long as its safe for the snake, I would very much prefer a living habitat.
I'm also trying to figure out if I can build a custom enclosure vs buying a prebuilt.
I think buying one would be better for a living viv due to moisture reasons.

I need cords and any lighting to be hidden.

I would love to meet up. I don't know anyone with snakes or reptiles.... My cousin has frogs but, eh. I don't have the snake yet.
 
Pyzik said:
As long as its safe for the snake, I would very much prefer a living habitat.
I'm also trying to figure out if I can build a custom enclosure vs buying a prebuilt.
I think buying one would be better for a living viv due to moisture reasons.

I need cords and any lighting to be hidden.

I would love to meet up. I don't know anyone with snakes or reptiles.... My cousin has frogs but, eh. I don't have the snake yet.
Click to expand...

A living viv is not exactly an easy place to start if this is your first go around. If you decide to make your own, a lot of people will use furniture and change it to their specific use.

My guess is that most live plants wont be a danger unless it excreats an oil or sap (like poison ivy).

A google search may reveal more and Im sure other members will toss in their two cents worth. Just keep in mind they do traditionally live outside where there is plenty of plants.

What are you going to be housing or have you yet to decide?

There are a lot of snake owners in our area. BHB (from SnakeBytes on YouTube) frequent a really big reptile show every month at Taylor Town Trade center, second Saturday of every month.
 
Get this book, called The Art of Keeping Snakes. It gives tons of tips on how to set up a bioactive substrate, and ideas on plants that would be great in the tank. It also gives tips on lighting, etc.

248513_489129554438813_1424599831_n.jpg
 
Direct light is only bad for amelanistic morphs (with red eyes). Snakes with regular black/brown eyes won't be harmed by the lights.
 
RobbiesCornField said:
Get this book, called The Art of Keeping Snakes. It gives tons of tips on how to set up a bioactive substrate, and ideas on plants that would be great in the tank. It also gives tips on lighting, etc.

248513_489129554438813_1424599831_n.jpg
Click to expand...

^Exactly! If you search this site for The Art of Keeping Snakes, you'll find a forum with tons of awesome advice for a living viv. There's one person on here that has an unreal live viv for their corn, it looks amazing! Good luck and show pics! Definitely check out the book...From what I've heard, it's the best book with tons of awesome advice
 
PS = Check out Bioactive substrate also. It'll work great with live plants, its safe for your cornsnake and apparently you never have to clean it...ever!
 
WestCoast_Redneck said:
PS = Check out Bioactive substrate also. It'll work great with live plants, its safe for your cornsnake and apparently you never have to clean it...ever!
Click to expand...

Other then spot cleaning any obvious dried up waste :)

I use bio-active substrate and imo its the best there is. You can also Dig up your own substrate from a place you know is clean. Leaf litter also helps with natural bacterea in your enclosure.

Heres my cage
http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128710&page=3
 
BigByrd47119 said:
A living viv is not exactly an easy place to start if this is your first go around. If you decide to make your own, a lot of people will use furniture and change it to their specific use.

My guess is that most live plants wont be a danger unless it excreats an oil or sap (like poison ivy).

A google search may reveal more and Im sure other members will toss in their two cents worth. Just keep in mind they do traditionally live outside where there is plenty of plants.

What are you going to be housing or have you yet to decide?

There are a lot of snake owners in our area. BHB (from SnakeBytes on YouTube) frequent a really big reptile show every month at Taylor Town Trade center, second Saturday of every month.
Click to expand...
I know it won't be the easiest.
I do plan to have the viv set up and working itself before introducing the snake. Still not sure what snake yet.
I think I'm going to get something like a 10 gallon to start the snake with while building my viv then repurpose the 10 gallon as a feeder tank.
 
Pyzik said:
I know it won't be the easiest.
I do plan to have the viv set up and working itself before introducing the snake. Still not sure what snake yet.
I think I'm going to get something like a 10 gallon to start the snake with while building my viv then repurpose the 10 gallon as a feeder tank.
Click to expand...

Sounds like an excellent plan. Perhapa we can solicite pics as you go along?
 
BigByrd47119 said:
Sounds like an excellent plan. Perhapa we can solicite pics as you go along?
Click to expand...
I could do that. After all, who doesn't like to show off their handy work?
Do you plan on going to the the next reptile show @ Gibralter? I've never been and it would be cool to meet up.
 
Pyzik said:
I could do that. After all, who doesn't like to show off their handy work?
Do you plan on going to the the next reptile show @ Gibralter? I've never been and it would be cool to meet up.
Click to expand...

Ive never been to the Gibralter one, but I have alwaya wanted to. Not sure how it compairs to the Taylor Town Trade Center one.
 
Pyzik said:
Oops, I thought they were the same. I meant Taylor Town...
Click to expand...

Ahha, yea. The Gibraltor one is a few times a year, unlike TTTC. Its a lot of fun, primarily bp's but a surprising number of pythons. Corns seem relatively few aside from the massive BHB display. Just picked up a juv normal from them Saturday while at the show.

There are a LOT of people there selling live feeders...not sure why so many honestly...

I will look for ya next month!
 
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