10 gallon tank, size?

[trumetal96]

i dont know if this is normal or not, but i recently bought a 10 gallon tank, and it is kind of really small. like one of the hides i have, if i put it in there it is like taking up about 1/3 of the tank. then the water bowl which takes up more space, then the last hide which takes up the whole tank.

when i went to the store to look at smaller hides, alot of them looked really small and i dont think my baby bp would fit in there.

so is it normal for hides to be small with a baby bp? i know they liked cramped up spaces, but just making sure. sorry for my newbish questions all the time

[Michael314]

As long as the entrance is large enough for its head, the hide can be fairly small. If you are worried use a light weight hide (plastic tub) so that it can just lift it off itself if it gets stuck. Your snake will be the best gauge as it will stop using it if it is too small, or just hide its head. Alternatively you could get a very large hide (2/3 cage) and filling loosely with spagnum moss this will let your snake decide its temperature and still feel secure, and there is no chance of it getting stuck.

[drew5337]

I feel your pain. I had both of mine in a 10gal for a few months (bad, I know, its fixed). I can't stress enough how good it was for my snakes to get them into 28qt sterlite tubs instead of that aquarium. They have a lot more floor space now, better temp gradient, much better humidity, and are both growing like weeds because they feed so much better. Buy a thermostat, some flexwatt heat tape, and a tub for your baby, it doesn't look as pretty to you, but you snake will love it.

[trumetal96]

Gah. I seriously dont know what im doing here. People are teling me different things lol. I've already went and bought a 10 gallon aquarium and stuff, now I have to go buy a tub?

[Reptilian]

Gah. I've already went and bought a 10 gallon aquarium and stuff, now I have to go buy a tub?

You don't have to buy a tub set up. A lot of people on this forum prefer them. I uses a tank for my bp, Spot, and in the beginning it took some work to get the right temp gradient, humidity, etc. It is do-able to work with tanks, though it may take alittle more work. Tubs seem to be easier to handle and will end up costing less in the long run.

Best of luck. If you do a search you may come up wiht the pros and cons of using tubs vs tanks.

[Argentra]

If you already have the gear for a tank, then stick with the tank unless it totally bombs and you can't get anything right. I have my new rescue pastel in a 10 gallon and it took a few days but his temps and humidity are spot on perfect now. The main thing to remember with tanks is COVER. Cover the back and sides with solid dark background and insulation to keep heat in and cover the screen top 3/4 with foil and duct tape. In the Colorado winter, I've also taken to wrapping a thick towel or blanket around the back and sides as well (taking care not to block air flow for the UTH of course). Just give it the good try, and if after insulating and cover you still can't get things right, then go with a tub.

[drugaria]

I preffer not to tape the top of the tank since that just restricts the convection airflow, and the tank turns into a carbon dioxide bath tub for your snake which is dangerous. If you don't know CO2 is heavier than air and it sinks and accumulates therefore at the bottom of the fish tank.
I can't stress enough how fresh air in a fish tank is due to the fact that fishtanks are watertight enclosures unlike custom cages.
Any animal subjected to higher than normal atmospheric concentrations of CO2 can suffer many ill effects.
So side insulation is great. Covering the top is a big NO in my book. It will save you few cents on the electric bill but think what you're doing to the snake.

for more info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Co2

[JoshJP7]

You can cover the top of the tank you just need to purchase a reptile humidifier and a air pump. This will provide fresh O2 throughout the tank and also help humidity. See if you can return the 10gal tank.. Worse comes to worse you spent what 10-20$ on it? Just be happy you didnt make the same mistake I made and purchased a 40 gal for 110$ to realize tubs work better. Now that 40gal just sits there but I'm currently trying to fill it up with a boa. Either way think about making the switch to a tub. cost me 10$ for a 60qt which should last around a year.

[Argentra]

Umm... I don't know where you found tape that stays completely stuck to anything after being heated, because that's what you'd need to seal the top completely.

I use tanks, and I have the screen tops covered with foil and that topped with duct tape leaving a 6" square for ventilation and a @9"x5" rectangle with plastic for light. After only a week or so, the tape around those openings dried from the heat and the layers lifted, allowing air to circulate through the whole screen.

The point of covering the lid, whether you use foil and tape or a thick towel or plastic, is to prevent the heat from escaping since hot air rises. Yes, you should allow for air circulation which is why you leave 1/4 of the screen uncovered.

[Jenn]

This is a topic of much discussion on this forum. I think someone did a poll once, and it turns out that slightly more people use tanks than tubs. Tubs do have lots of advantages but I still prefer tanks. I feel your pain with the space issue. I'm moving my BP up from a 10 to a 20 gallon tank soon. She is growing so fast. I have the 20 gallon tank all set up with (almost) the right temps and humidity. I'm sure I'll get it soon, and then I'll make the swap.

I was concerened with the fresh air issues too, until one day when I overmisted the tank (I don't need to mist anymore) and could actually "see" the airflow in my tank due to the condensation on the walls. With openings at the cool end to let fresh air in, and openings at the warm end to let it out, the air flows in the cool end (and because cooler air is heavier than warm air) it settles to the bottom and flows across the bottom to the warm side where it is warmed and rises to the openings in the warm end. I don't know how anyone could maintain temps and humidity without covering most of the top (just like a tub).

There are lots of helpful links to setting up a tank on this forum. I have discovered a great way to cover the top. I cut a piece of 1/4" plexiglass to fit perfectly into the 1/4" recess in the top of the tank. Then I drilled 1/4" holes along both ends (cool and warm). The 1/4" recess in the top of the tank allows the plexiglass to sit flush with the tank top so you can just pop on your screen cover as usual. I also tape foam board on the top of the screen cover, taking care not to cover the holes, and three sides. Works like a charm.