greetings from NJ

[REPTILEGUYJC]

Hey guys..ill be getting my first corn snake in 2 weeks from a reptile expo. I currently have a bearded dragon and a reef tank, so i know the importance of proper setup and housing. I have a zoo med 18x18x18 tank w locking front doors and a Lockable mesh screen top. if im going to place this on a wooden table, how high should i raise the tank off the table because i want to use a uth for it. I am planning on using aspen bedding for substrate. Any recommended brands for the uth? I will be monitoring the temps and humidity w a digital gauge n probe, along w a temp gun for spot temp checks. Any other advice will help. Ill also be reading through the forums over the next few days for more tips..

P.s.
I plan on getting a baby corn..not an adult

 

[Nanci]

The UTHs come with little feet that stick onto the viv. That's high enough. I've had an equal number of failures (off) with ZooMed and ExoTerra Desert. You definitely need a thermostat or rheostat for the UTH or it will get too hot and burn the snake. ZooMed is easier to remove from the viv for whatever reason. ExoTerra has a papery backing that sticks a lot more permanently. Ultratherm UTHs are very nice. They aren't sticky; you'd attach them with aluminum tape from Lowes or Home Depot or wherever.

You know in NJ you can only have a morph with red or pink eyes, right?

I'd consider a slightly older snake rather than a tiny baby. They are just easier, more fun, less fragile.

 

[REPTILEGUYJC]

When you failures with the uth...u dont mean fires do you? Which heat mat size wpuld be good for my tank? Its actually 18x18x24.. ill def get a rheostat to control it. Price doesnt matter. Safety is more important to me.

 

[Nanci]

No, they just stopped heating.

You are always safest if you use a thermostat and avoid extension cords! The UTHs will have a size range by aquarium gallons. I'd think you need a small, not an extra small.

 

[REPTILEGUYJC]

Does a protector count as an extension cord? I usually plug my stuff into a surge or an outlet run by digital timers

 

[Nanci]

Well- look at the questions/answers on this page.

That said, I do have most of my proportional thermostats on either computer UPSs or surge protectors. Nearly all my thermostats are Herpstat proportional. (As opposed to other manufacturer off/on).

 

[REPTILEGUYJC]

Great info!! Thanks!! Ill def buy a high quality surge protector and test it out for a few days while i am home.

P.s.
Do most corn morphs have red/pink eyes? I was looking for a bright red or oketee corn.

 

[Nanci]

You can't have an Okeetee or a plain bloodred. You could have an amel, snow, avalanche, fire...It sounds like either a bright red amel or a fire would be the best for what you're allowed to keep there.