Anyone have a live-plant viv?

I have been reading, "The Art of Keeping Snakes", which talks about using planted vivs. The author also encourages using live soil substrate, which also consists of some (1/4?) sand mixed in.

I LOVE the look of real plants, but I was wondering how realistic it was. I'd like to create a live one for garters, house snakes and corns.

Any tips, tricks or pics?? :D



Here's the book link : http://www.amazon.com/Art-Keeping-Sn.../dp/1882770633

I keep my cresteds in one and I've made a few others for frogs before. I've tried keeping my garters in 1 before but they destroyed it. I'm trying them again with a better built one. So far they haven't ruined it but they did figure out how to get behind the background which is annoying. I wouldn't use a corn or a similar snake though becuase they love to hide. Garters, Ribbions, Water Snakes, and other small active snakes would probably be a better choice. Those type would also enjoy a water feature which is pretty nice too.

I've got my cal king in a live planted viv, as well as my little green snakes. I've been looking at garter snakes, and would put them in with live plants as well. I do occasionally have to re-plant the plants in with the king, because he digs them up, but they seem to be doing all right. All of my frogs and salamanders have live planted vivs as well.

pictures! :D
the king's cage:
http://i44.tinypic.com/wb4cbo.jpg

This is the old setup for my tree frogs and salamanders. I've got a few different setups for them now, and I'm thinking about using this for garters, with a slightly different layout.
http://i44.tinypic.com/vff6g6.jpg


I'm a huge fan of live planted vivs, even if the plants stay in their pots, which works well for some. Go for it! :gj: