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Set-up issues

So now another issue has popped up. Turns out my hinged cover has a few small gaps around the hinge right where it meets the lip of the aquarium. I'm wondering if I should even bother trying to figure out a way to cover/fill it somehow that, or if it would be better just to try and find a solid lid. The hinge top was super convenient though.

I'm wondering, if I seal a bit of aquarium tubing around the top lip with silicone or hot glue even (kinda like weatherstripping), if anything would even be able to get in/out of that area of the tank? If the snake can't get up under there in the first place, it'd have a heck of a time even finding said tiny gap. I could also put it within range of the velcro I'll be using to hold the lid shut, to cover it from the outside.

Still, I've heard some crazy stories of some Houdini escapes through only a few millimeter gaps, so I'm still nervous of anything I could even remotely see as a weak point. Granted, this is mostly assuming I come home with a hatchling, but seeing as right now that's probably what's gonna happen, I'm preparing for one.

Sucky thing is, I can't just go out and buy a solid lid since none of the local stores carry them, and the expo is this upcoming weekend, so unless I find one there, I'd have to order one and wait, so I'd still have to snake-proof the one I have in the meantime.
 
Hikari said:
So now another issue has popped up. Turns out my hinged cover has a few small gaps around the hinge right where it meets the lip of the aquarium. I'm wondering if I should even bother trying to figure out a way to cover/fill it somehow that, or if it would be better just to try and find a solid lid. The hinge top was super convenient though.

I'm wondering, if I seal a bit of aquarium tubing around the top lip with silicone or hot glue even (kinda like weatherstripping), if anything would even be able to get in/out of that area of the tank? If the snake can't get up under there in the first place, it'd have a heck of a time even finding said tiny gap. I could also put it within range of the velcro I'll be using to hold the lid shut, to cover it from the outside.

Still, I've heard some crazy stories of some Houdini escapes through only a few millimeter gaps, so I'm still nervous of anything I could even remotely see as a weak point. Granted, this is mostly assuming I come home with a hatchling, but seeing as right now that's probably what's gonna happen, I'm preparing for one.

Sucky thing is, I can't just go out and buy a solid lid since none of the local stores carry them, and the expo is this upcoming weekend, so unless I find one there, I'd have to order one and wait, so I'd still have to snake-proof the one I have in the meantime.
Click to expand...

Other than to agree that they are little houdinis, this is one of those things no one else can really evaluate, imo. Go with your gut and do what you need to do to make escape as difficult as possible. Best wishes.
 
I figured as much. I think I'm probably being paranoid, but the last thing I want is my new snake to get out, since I have this older style vent that a baby would be able to get into (and I'd probably never see it again).

At any rate, I found the glue gun and glue sticks, so it's time to have at the tank! I am taking no chances, lol.
 
Hikari said:
I figured as much. I think I'm probably being paranoid, but the last thing I want is my new snake to get out, since I have this older style vent that a baby would be able to get into (and I'd probably never see it again).

At any rate, I found the glue gun and glue sticks, so it's time to have at the tank! I am taking no chances, lol.
Click to expand...

O my gosh. I live in a 1926 house and have vents and cold air returns in the floor that present the same problem. I still haven't, but I'm going to get screening and put under the grates to keep that from happening. I'm concerned that as mine gets bigger and stronger he could move the lid latches. I've got some industrial Velcro coming ;)

So many things needed to snake safe the house!
 
DollysMom said:
O my gosh. I live in a 1926 house and have vents and cold air returns in the floor that present the same problem. I still haven't, but I'm going to get screening and put under the grates to keep that from happening. I'm concerned that as mine gets bigger and stronger he could move the lid latches. I've got some industrial Velcro coming ;)

So many things needed to snake safe the house!
Click to expand...

I wish I could do something about my vent. This place is a rental though, so anything I come up with has to be temporary (maybe a mesh cover or something, but it has to be heat-safe). I'm hoping we'll be out of this place sooner rather than later though, and the lease ends soon, so in the end it may be a non-issue.

Industrial velcro is what I bought! I had coupons, so got it for half off (good deal!). I have 4 feet, sticky-backed, so I'm strategically placing it in various places along the edges of the tank and mesh top. Kinda like a velcro top clip. And don't worry, I have ways of covering the sticky bits, though I have no intention of letting the snake get close enough to them anyways (it's on the outside of the tank where, more than likely, the snake will not be). So far it's coming along nicely.

I also basically filled the entire top lip of the aquarium with tubing and hot-glue, so there is no place for a hatching to sit up there, if it decides to climb. If it can't sit up there, it's even less likely to be able to find any weak spots in the hinge, and I'm covering those up with velcro as well (the fuzzy side will be facing towards the tank, so it's safer). I've also got a piece of tubing in the back lip of the top, since it doesn't sit completely flush against the tank. This thing'll hopefully be both baby and adult proof once I'm done with it! XD

I am getting excited too. The expo is Sunday, and my preparations are almost complete! Hoping that I find a snake I like! (I seem to have my heart set on trying to find one of those bright-orange Okeetees, but I might fall in love with an entirely different type of corn snake, so who knows?!)
 
Looking forward to hearing all about your snake!

Sounds like you've got your snake proofing well in hand. All my Velcro is going on the outside, too. I've got a while to get it done. Mine's in shed and completely hidden away. He's not going anywhere for a while, that's for sure.

Best wishes. Keep us all posted!
 
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