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Has anyone used these for a viv?

I've often wondered if it would be difficult to maintain appropriate temps in an 'open' type enclosure like this - Any thoughts, anyone?

:shrugs:
 
Snakes don't do well with mesh enclosures. They tend to try to find a way out and end up rubbing their noses/heads on the mesh. This can cause some serious wounds. In my opinion, that type of cage is not appropriate for snakes to live in.

I do like using a mesh cage as a "playground" when I want my snakes to get some sunshine, however. It's lightweight and easy to take outside. They have to be watched carefully so they don't hurt themselves, though.
 
Well, the glass tanks with screen lids aren't working for me. THe lids never fit properly. I have 4 different sized tanks with lids and each one worries one. My hatchling managed to escape from the one I thought was the most secure. So, I've resorted to taping the lids around their perimeter. But after a "tape accident", I've vowed no more tape.

Straps won't solve the problem as the corners have gaps. I don't want to use plastic tubs as I have the vivs decorated quite nicely and it's nice to see the snakes exploring.

So back to the drafts question...My house is about 70-75 degrees. Snakes spend most of their time in their hides, and the warm hides are cozy, so why would drafts be a problem? The only time the snakes are prowling is at night and when their are searching for food. Our household is sleeping so no doors are being opened, no fans are on, they'd have a heat lamp, so wouldn't that work?

Cheers, Carolyn
 
Reptariums were designed for chameleons and other smaller aboreal lizards. I wouldn't recommend attempting to house a snake in them. They may be inexpensive, but their are better alternatives that you will not have as many problems with.
 
Thanks for the input - Sounds like I won't be getting these to house the snakes, but maybe one to let them have a 'play pen' of sorts outside in the summer. It would be fun to watch them slither around exploring...

This forum is an excellent resource for those of us who weren't born knowing everything there is to know about corn snakes! Thanks!

:p
 
Petsmart sells 20L viv "starter kits" I think under the name Reptile Keeper. They come with the tank, lamp, bulb, a little book, (can't remember if they come with the uth or not) and the best feature: a sliding top with a locking pin. No gaps, clips, tape, or straps needed. $59.99. Best deal I've seen considering what it comes with and the safety factor alone is worth it.
 
JTGoff69 said:
Petsmart sells 20L viv "starter kits" I think under the name Reptile Keeper. They come with the tank, lamp, bulb, a little book, (can't remember if they come with the uth or not) and the best feature: a sliding top with a locking pin. No gaps, clips, tape, or straps needed. $59.99. Best deal I've seen considering what it comes with and the safety factor alone is worth it.
Click to expand...
I have several of these, they don't come with a heat source. For $10.00 less, you can buy the tank and top alone. I also have these in the 10g and 5g size.
I have never had an escape out of these tanks. I would never consider the open air type.

Mike B
 
When I got my first corn, this is what I bought. It is a wonderful Tank, and I have never had an escape (Except for the time I left the lid open while getting water). Like mbdorfer says, you can save money by just buying the tank if you already have all the substrate and furnature.
 
If you have a glass tank already, you could try what I did for my lid. There's a small lip around the inside top of the tank (I always see baby corns sitting on this at pet stores and I think I'd be worried about them escaping)...I cut a piece of plywood to fit on that lip so that it completely eliminates it. I put two large holes in the plywood (so that it left a solid perimeter and a solid strip about 1" wide down the middle longways). On top of that, I put the original screen top for the aquarium (stapled it in place to the wood). When I cut the wood, I cut it a little large and sanded the edges down until it JUST fit onto the lip. What this does is allow air flow through the top like a screen top would, and it decreases the possibility of escape because the plywood seals it off from the inside around the edges, and the screen top overhangs on the outside (which is what it would do if used normally).

Here's a couple pictures (and by the way, I'm going to take everybody's advice and get a digital thermomether, and use the height to my advantage by putting some kind of climbing thing in here this weekend when I go home. And I put smaller hides in, like everyone suggested when I posted a pic about two weeks ago).

Edit: I don't have them on in the picture because, well, there's no snake in there yet...but I do have two nylon straps to hold it in down even better.
 

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Hey, that's pretty clever Jeff. I may have to do that with my tank that is divided for three hatchlings. I didn't have a way to seal the top of the plexiglass dividers to the top of the cover so I have been using a nontoxic moulding clay. Needless to say, it is a pain everytime I open the cage.

In my 60 gal tank, I had a screen made to fit similarly into the lip of the tank frame because it is an odd size and I couldn't find a cover to fit right. These can be made easily with one of those screen kits from a hardware store, but use a thicker screen material than just the flimsy ones. If you measure just right, the screen can be popped in and is so secure, my snake has been looking for a way out every day lately to no avail!
 
I cut strips of craft foam, it takes about three strips, stacked to fill in the lip space at the top if the aquarium. I glue these strips all the way around the perimeter. The bottom most strip is the widest. The snakes can't climb the lip and can't get out. I use a flexible fabric glue or aquarium silicone to glue the stack of foam strips. And, if you need to later, they pull off easy.


sunaprk said:
Well, the glass tanks with screen lids aren't working for me. THe lids never fit properly. I have 4 different sized tanks with lids and each one worries one. My hatchling managed to escape from the one I thought was the most secure. So, I've resorted to taping the lids around their perimeter. But after a "tape accident", I've vowed no more tape.

Straps won't solve the problem as the corners have gaps. I don't want to use plastic tubs as I have the vivs decorated quite nicely and it's nice to see the snakes exploring.

So back to the drafts question...My house is about 70-75 degrees. Snakes spend most of their time in their hides, and the warm hides are cozy, so why would drafts be a problem? The only time the snakes are prowling is at night and when their are searching for food. Our household is sleeping so no doors are being opened, no fans are on, they'd have a heat lamp, so wouldn't that work?

Cheers, Carolyn
Click to expand...
 
You guys are making this MUCH too difficult than it needs to be.

http://www.all-glass.com/products/cages/ccsnugfit.shtml

These things have a sliding locking lid, and it is IMPOSSIBLE for a snake to escape.

I know they sell these at Petco in 10 gallon, 20long, 30 breeder, and 40 breeder.

10 gallon ones usually go for about $29.99, but I got my 20L at a show for $40.
 
For ten gallon tanks, you can do as I have and buy the top from Wal-Mart. The brand is Pet Select and costs about seven dollars. It sets on the lip on the inside of the aquarium to prevent escapes. They are located beside the Regent 10 Gal tanks, which are also very cheap....about ten bucks. And if you work at the distribution center as I do, even cheaper! :sidestep:

Matt
 
I use these lids on all of my 10 gallon tanks, also. I want to mention that they do come with holes in the lids (for rodent tubes). If you are using the tank for a snake, I would advise you to glue the lids to the holes in so that the snake can't pop them out. Even though the lids are supposed to lock, it takes very little pressure to push them out. I almost lost a yearling that way once. I just happened to go in when she was about halfway out of the tank.

cornsnakejunkie said:
For ten gallon tanks, you can do as I have and buy the top from Wal-Mart. The brand is Pet Select and costs about seven dollars. It sets on the lip on the inside of the aquarium to prevent escapes. They are located beside the Regent 10 Gal tanks, which are also very cheap....about ten bucks. And if you work at the distribution center as I do, even cheaper! :sidestep:
Matt
Click to expand...
 
The Snug Fit Critter cages look great. But what would be even better was if I could actually go purchase one. No chance of that in my area, and it seems no one will ship.
Carolyn
 
sunaprk said:
The Snug Fit Critter cages look great. But what would be even better was if I could actually go purchase one. No chance of that in my area, and it seems no one will ship.
Carolyn
Click to expand...


Where is your area?
 
I am on the border of Can/US. So in the West Kootenays of BC or the Colville area of WA. Small-town-ville middle of no where.
Carolyn
 
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