Chondro Cages

Hey all,

I am in the process of searching for the perfect GTP for myself. However, before I purchase one, I need an enclosure for it. So, I have a few enclosure questions for GTP.

I do not know if I am going to get one that is already an adult, or if I will get a neonate or juveneil. However, if I get one of the latter,
1. what size tub would I need? I have no idea how to use flexwatt, so would have to use a regular UTH (like zoomed, etc, unless there is a tutorial on how to use flexwatt :D).
2. How often will that tub need to be exchanged for a larger tub, and what sizes are recommended to get to prepare for growth.
3. When grown, or if I get an adult, I would like to use a display vivarium (as I do with my ball and my corn). Can a 20L be used if there are perches attached at different heights in the tank? Or is it best to do a vertical ExoTerra large/xlarge terrium?

I have also thought about making enclosures per the Blue Apple Herp plans. I was thinking of modifiying that for vertical tanks as opposed to horizontal, and using radient heating panels to heat with.

If I decided to purchase a setup, what companies are best to look at. I would be looking for decent pricing, opening at the front.

THank you all for your information,

Nixie

http://www.animalplastics.com/ makes great vertical cages

A neonate would likely do best in a six quart tub. You just need to add perches, and holes as needed to control humidity.

For the heat source, you could use flexwatt, but a better option is an ultratherm, like on this site: http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm-heat_pads/. However, the ones on that site would be to large. I found one at the pet store that fit perfectly. It was made for a hermit crab cage. You would tape the ultratherm to the back of the tub using foil tape, as opposed to the buttom, since the snake is not going to be sitting on the bottom of the tub.

Once it gets a little larger, you could move it into a fifteen quart tub. At approximatley a year old, you could move it into a 2x2x2 arboreal cage. I bought mine from http://www.pvccages.com/, and am very happy with it. I bought the 2 foot cube complete setup. I just added some additional plants for added security, and visual appeal. The cage comes with a radiant heat panel, but you will need to buy a digital thermostat. I suggest Spyder Robotics Herpstat.

Hope this helps.

a 6.5 of 12 quart tub is fine. I only use one or two perches in these small tubs, but feel free to elaborate, just make sure the snake has room to curl comfortably and grow. Glass tanks are not the best for chondros. a PVC cage will make him much happier. Glass tanks can be used, not saying that they can't but plastic is so much easier and many pvc cages are ascetically pleasing. You need to pick what you want and go from there with caging. neonate chondros have different needs than adult chondros including the basics like heat and humidity. I'm a big supporter in buying a yearling to adult first, just because neos can be a bit of a handful sometimes. Plus, you pretty much know what you're going to get which isn't always a bad thing. Just keep us posted with your plans and we can help you move on from there.

Thank you all for the information. I have been avidly soaking in all that I can on this wonderful breed of snake. I have picked my cage. It is the 36 x 24 x 24 from this site http://www.pvccages.com/index.htm. I am also going to change the tanks I have for my ball python and corn snake over to those as well.

As for the age of the python, I believe I am going to invest in either a juveneil or an adult.

Thank you all for the help, and information.

Nixiefee

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Originally Posted by nixiefee

Thank you all for the information. I have been avidly soaking in all that I can on this wonderful breed of snake. I have picked my cage. It is the 36 x 24 x 24 from this site http://www.pvccages.com/index.htm. I am also going to change the tanks I have for my ball python and corn snake over to those as well.

As for the age of the python, I believe I am going to invest in either a juveneil or an adult.

Thank you all for the help, and information.

Nixiefee

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You will be very happy with PVCcages.com. They make excellent cages. They also hold heat and humidity very well. For the chondro, I would definately go with a radiant heat panel. If you were to put ball pythons in PVC cages, you could go with flexwatt if your room is above 75F or radaint heat panels if your room is below. However, it is my opinion that ball pythons would do better in rack systems, as opposed to cages.

36 long is a bit large if you get a juvie. It will be fine, offer additional perches and add lots of greenery. I think you'll be very happy. Use rhps if you're using the same size cages to only use one thermostat.