Few questions about a tank I'm modifying!

I was just given a 40-45g long glass tank to house my BP I rescued a few weeks ago. He/she has been kept in a 10g long tank that is way too small (can't even fit two hides in it). I am a bit concerned, moving the snake to a drastically larger tank, I don't want to do more harm than good stressing it out.

I'm planning on using this modification, turning the tank on its side and building a hinged door, since I've had way too many temp/humidity issues with the screen top OF COURSE, I'm hoping this helps. http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...arium-Solution

My questions:
Would hot glue really hold up through repeated opening/closing and cleaning?

And my biggest question!! I do not want to have JUST a UTH.. would there be any way of putting a heating element inside for the ambient? I can't for the life of me think of a way to mount something inside a glass tank as well as prevent the snake from touching it..


48" x 14" x 16"
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...3/DSC08373.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...DSC08371-1.jpg




Oh, and slightly off topic.. this tank previously housed a red diamond rattlesnake. The plastic rim is beginning to fall off and most of the sealant inside the tank has peeled away. What little sealant remains is peeling off as well and water/dirt gets trapped under it. I already scrubbed and disinfected it but I'm afraid of risking any bacteria being trapped under the edges and possibly harming my snake. I'm wondering of I should just peel off the remaining sealant and maybe re-apply it?? If so what would I use?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kymberli

My questions:
Would hot glue really hold up through repeated opening/closing and cleaning?

And my biggest question!! I do not want to have JUST a UTH.. would there be any way of putting a heating element inside for the ambient? I can't for the life of me think of a way to mount something inside a glass tank as well as prevent the snake from touching it..


Oh, and slightly off topic.. this tank previously housed a red diamond rattlesnake. The plastic rim is beginning to fall off and most of the sealant inside the tank has peeled away. What little sealant remains is peeling off as well and water/dirt gets trapped under it. I already scrubbed and disinfected it but I'm afraid of risking any bacteria being trapped under the edges and possibly harming my snake. I'm wondering of I should just peel off the remaining sealant and maybe re-apply it?? If so what would I use?

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That is a pretty big tank for a BP, especially if its still young. But if you are going to use it, I will try to answer you questions.

Instead of "hot glue", I would use 100% Silicone! Lasts for years and is flexible unlike hot glue. Thats what they use to make aquariums. Before you silicone the lid down, you have to prime the plastic frame first (just where you are going to use silicone) so the silicone sticks the the frame better. I think Acetone will work, and maybe fingernail polish.

I would not recomend putting any heating device inside the tank with the snake. The snake will end up touching it. No good could come of this. Instead, maybe be you could put a piece of flexwatt some where on the back and run that through a thermostat. That would help raise your ambient temp., just a thought.

Now for your last question. I would pull any loose sealant off and go over all the corners with the 100% Silicone. Just put down a small bead then go over it with you finger tip to spread it out. Give it a good 24 hrs. to cure. The 100% Silicone you can get at any hardware store, just make sure it says 100% Silicone. And you will need a caulking gun.

hope any of this helps,

Dave

Quote:

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Originally Posted by saber2th

That is a pretty big tank for a BP, especially if its still young. But if you are going to use it, I will try to answer you questions.

Instead of "hot glue", I would use 100% Silicone! Lasts for years and is flexible unlike hot glue. Thats what they use to make aquariums. Before you silicone the lid down, you have to prime the plastic frame first (just where you are going to use silicone) so the silicone sticks the the frame better. I think Acetone will work, and maybe fingernail polish.

I would not recomend putting any heating device inside the tank with the snake. The snake will end up touching it. No good could come of this. Instead, maybe be you could put a piece of flexwatt some where on the back and run that through a thermostat. That would help raise your ambient temp., just a thought.

Now for your last question. I would pull any loose sealant off and go over all the corners with the 100% Silicone. Just put down a small bead then go over it with you finger tip to spread it out. Give it a good 24 hrs. to cure. The 100% Silicone you can get at any hardware store, just make sure it says 100% Silicone. And you will need a caulking gun.

hope any of this helps,

Dave

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Thanks!
I was planning on sectioning off some of the tank since it's so large. :)

And I have a caulking gun, so I'll pick up some silicone!