real stone or fake

[akai06]

Hey all,
I am wondering if real stone is okay to use, assuming its sanitized, or is plastic or ceramic store boughts better. Im looking for the naturalistic look and thats gonna be hard with those store hides. any suggestions? And what about live plants vrs. plastic?
akai06

 

[tyflier]

For the stones...I have both in my viv. I use flat pieces of sandstone to create the warm hide because of sandston'e ability to absorb and re-distribute heat. I also have a hide I made from Sculpey clay, and an aquarium "vase" on the cool side that my snake loves.

Plants...I use fake. Some people use real plants, but before you do that, you need to be sure that the plants are not at all toxic or irritating to your snake or it's respiratory tract. I do have a piece of sandblasted grapevine, however.

 

[danvega]

Real stone is fine (at least most are). Just be wise in choosing--i.e. don't use any stones that would discolor water (this would mean its releasing something), don't use stones with extremely sharp edges/points, etc. I've used everything from lava rock to water smoothed stones. I don't know if I would use sandstone, as tyflier uses, because if it is anything like the sandstone in N.C., a lot of sand rubs off.

Whether it's store bought or found outside, I suggest always sanitizing first (even with fake plants and hides).

If you want to make a more natural looking store bought hide, you can always glue (using silicon or other 'safe after dried' adhesives) stones, bark, or whatever to the plastic hide.

 

[tyflier]

...I've used everything from lava rock to water smoothed stones. I don't know if I would use sandstone, as tyflier uses, because if it is anything like the sandstone in N.C., a lot of sand rubs off...

Nope...not like N.C. sandstone at all. Actually the stuff I have in my viv is straight from the desert of Utah and is bulletproof with really nice pink and cream striations running through it. It's actually from an aquarium store that sells it for use in, well...aquariums. Really clean and no "rub-off"...

 

[akai06]

advice about real or fake stone

Hey thanks for info, that helped.

 

[Plissken]

I use plastic/silk plants in my vivariums. I don't see any point in using live, and besides my big fat old python would crush them in seconds. :grin01:

As for rocks - I have sworn NEVER to use real rocks in my tanks. This is more paranoia on my part than anything else... but a few weeks ago, when I had real rocks in my tank, I managed to accidentally trap my cornsnake under a heavy piece of york stone and it could have really hurt him. He's okay, but I just think that the shop bought stuff is safer, the edges are much smoother and I don't think the animals can really get under them or become trapped.

I know that I was more at fault than the rock itself, but still. I don't see what function they serve so I'd rather be safe than sorry. If you do go for real rocks, I'd steer clear of rocks with jagged edges and rocks which could potentially fall and hurt your snake.

Personally I think the store hides look fantastic, but I guess it depends where you live and what's available in your area.

But anyway... if you want real rocks, go for it. I only say "no rocks" because of a personal experience. Just choose wisely and you'll be fine.

 

[BeckyG]

The only thing I would worry about is that real stones will be much heavier than a resin hide of the same size. If you do use them, make sure you secure them well so they don't fall and crush your snake.