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Setting up a tank.

nagini

nagini

The Serpent Son
Sooo, I have a corn hatchling I'm picking up on friday (can't wait, counting down the hours), and I set up my viv earlier today. I have the thermostat, uth, 20gal, hides, water bowl, substrate (reptibark for now, I got the whole snake kit deal and it came with it, once I use it up I'm going to get something else as it doesn't seem very comfy). Buuut, I have a question. I've been obsessively checking the temperatures and everything to make sure it's all going good, and while the temps are in the 80s, the glass seems a bit hot on the bottom, so I stuck some paper towels under the reptibark so that my baby won't come in contact with the hot glass. Is this a fire hazard? I don't think that the glass is quite that hot, but still, my aunt has an obsessive fear of fire, so this is for her peace-of-mind. ;P

Also, I'm not sure my UTH is big enough o.o I have this large log cave type hide, and like.. the spot where I have the hide at is above the UTH, and the hide completely covers it. Is it enough for the snake to have one large warm hide, or should I get a bigger UTH? I just want to make sure my baby is happy, warm, and cozy =)

And I'm a bit worried that the water dish might be a bit too big o_O It's sloped on both sides, so the snake can get in and out fine, but I don't want him/her to drown. Should I just not fill it up too deep or will he/she be fine?

Aaah. Sorry for sounding paranoid and silly, I'm just worried as this is my first baby XD I'm a paranoid snakemom.

Oh, yeh, as for what you all say about cornsnakes being an addiction.. you're completey right. I don't even have ONE yet and the bug has already gotten me. This happened today as I was setting up the viv:

Me: Hey, check this out, you can plug more than one under-tank heater in here, so when I get more snakes-
Aunt: ... You're only having one.
Me: ..But. But what about.. when I breed them?
Aunt: ... No.

She'll catch on eventually ;D

Also, I'll go snap a picture of my viv so far and post it on here. Right now it only has one hide, we'll be off to petco tomorrow to fetch another, and maybe some nice plants from the craft store, which is directly next door to petco. Convenience. <3
 
What are you using to measure the temps? I recommend a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer with a probe. You can find them and Wal-mart or any hardware store. Put the probe directly on the glass under the substrate and over the UTH. This is where you will want to measure the temps--the hottest point with which the snake can come into contact. You say you have a thermostat. Put the thermostat probe directly on the glass as well, next to the thermometer probe. Regulate those temps and you will be fine.

I'd think that if your hide covers the entire UTH, it is too big for a baby. Don't toss it as your snake will quickly grow into it. What you can do is put half a paper towel tube or toilet tissue tube in the tank for now. NO, it's not very pretty, but remember that your snake will grow very quickly, and you will need to provide appropriately sized hides. What I like to do with toilet rolls is to smash them flat and fold one end over onto itself. This provides a little "V" that the snake can squish itself into and feel safe. Oh, and you need another one on the cool side, too.

Your snake will not drown. Just put about an inch of water in the bottom of the dish. If you got the kit, I know which one you are talking about. If you wanted to, for now you could get one of those small, inexpensive dog or cat bowls with the hollow place underneath. That way it could double as a hide as well as a water dish.

Don't worry about asking so many questions. That's what we are here for, and we're glad you are asking before you get the snake. Kudos to you for that.
 
It sounds like your setup will be fine. And if the UTH is under the glass, and the papertowl is on top of the glass, theres no risk. I even have papertowl touching my UTH and its fine.

What size of snake are you getting? because if your getting a hatchling, it sounds like your hide is way to big. snakes are not claustrophobic. as long as they can fit inside, then its big enough, but if its too big, then they may still feel stressed
 
The baby _can_ get under the paper towel. They can get under reptil carpet, too. You have to make sure that right on top of the glass is the correct temperature. You have a thermostat- that shouldn't be a problem.

Nanci
 
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