home made terrarium HELP!

I just built this terrarium for my new bp.in the pics you can see the screens on top and the vent on the side.i was wondering if i need more vents/air flow.I am going to get more plants and possibly a water fall/fountain to put in it For humidity purposes, But do you think it is to big?Its 36-24-24.

Anything else you could help me with would also be greatly appreciated.I am a new owner and am trying to give him the best enclosure possible.

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/...AwNjUuanBn.jpg
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/...AwNjQuanBn.jpg
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/...AwNjYuanBn.jpg

Welcome to the forum !!

Be sure that you have read the Caresheet listed here.

The airflow is fine. Just make sure you meet the husbandry requirements and you should be good.

The size of this enclosure is fine for an adult BP with at least 2 hides. However, if the new BP your getting is still pretty small, you will need to make adjustments.

It is highly recommended, if the snake is still a juvenile, that you use a much smaller enclosure. Large enclosures can stress out your BP and cause issues.

More information regarding size/age of BP, your setup for heating/humidity control, etc would be required to give more 'specific' advise.

The Caresheet is definitely the best place to start.

Good luck and congrats on your new friend =)

I'd wait and see how the animal responds first. If you have hides there shouldn't be an issue. I had hatchlings that came from 6 qt tubs and put them in 32 qt tubs with one hide and all are fine and eating very well. It's not always so cut and dry.

right now he is in a 32qt tub.he is still a juvenile-6 weeks and about 2 feet long.he has 2 hides water bowl and aspen bedding, under the tank heater and blacklight for heat.

for the new enclosure i was thinking flex watt heat pad,prob a 100-150 watt red heat bulb and a compact floresent daylight bulb on a timer.the 2 holes in the top with screens are also where the heat lamps will be.

As far as humidity because the area is so big i have a big water dish thats like a plastic dog bowl and in the cool side corner i was thinking about a waterfall/fountain.fountain is mainly to take up excess space and i figured it would be more natural way to keep humidity up.

i was thinking taking up most of the excess room with plants, grass, and other natural things might keep him calm even though it is big it wont seem as big.

right know he is fine where he is so i can keep him there till he grows a little.I`m really in no hurry to finish it anyway.I want to make sure everything is right before i put him in it.

Thanks for the help!!

You need to be suuuuper careful with that wood. Particle board and wood that is glued together is extremely toxic to you and your snake. If that isnt treated on the inside, I suggest you do. Melamine is a safer bet as long as the animal isnt exposed to the bare wood. I would just use tubs to save money, thats what I did years ago.

WOW!! That is good to know.its plywood but i used wood glue on it for security and to fill in gaps. Wish i would have know this sooner!

is there anything i can do to fix it? Its gonna kill me to just chunk it.

Good lookin out! thank you.

Well I'm actually building a bigger one than you are right now and you can buy non-toxic sealent to cover up the wood or mod podge. Its what I use to cover my styrofoam wall, hide and waterfall. Or just glue some plastic siding to the inside of the wood and use cocking to seal it. No wood can be exposed not just for your snakes safety but the wood will be destryed by the humidity and fall apart. If you need to know more you can see pics in my profle threads or I can send you some updated ones tomorrow. Or if you just need help ith how to make it safe let me know and I would be happy to help.

I did a little research before i started on mine and thought that wood was the best way to go.i did use culking but it was like wood sealent. It did have a stout smell to it.You think if it airs out and i put plexi glass or somethimg else to cover the wood it will be ok?

Plexi glass will do perfect. Just be sure to seal the edges when you are done with clear silicone.

bet that!! I really didn`t want to have to get rid of it.

You said you are building one bigger than mine, So what are you going to do about the heat/humidity?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hut8822

bet that!! I really didn`t want to have to get rid of it.

You said you are building one bigger than mine, So what are you going to do about the heat/humidity?

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I will have fogger hooked up to plumbing that will mist in from both sides an 1 from the ground level. So 3 misting area. Plus I will have a waterfall into a pond that will alo serve as the water bowl. I may actually have too much humidity so I will probably have to set it to a dimmer or just turn it off from time to time. As for heat I will be running a 120w RHP on top and UTH oln the bottom. Id post a pic for you but its not up to date and I'm lazy but as I said before you can check out my terrarium threads.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mschmied

I'd wait and see how the animal responds first. If you have hides there shouldn't be an issue. I had hatchlings that came from 6 qt tubs and put them in 32 qt tubs with one hide and all are fine and eating very well. It's not always so cut and dry.

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I agree. I had a juvy in an enclosure just a tad larger than this one. He had plenty of hiding spots and ate just fine. I just went with more 'accepted' advice. It does highly depend on the snake.

@ hut8822 everything sounds good once you get the plywood thing worked out. I wasn't aware of it either, so good to know.

Just a note, I had a 100w Infrared Heat Bulb at one time. It heated up a slightly larger enclosure almost too much. So be sure to put it on a dimmer. Also, it can pull the humidity out of your enclosure like no other. I eventually found a different way to heat my enclosure to keep from battling the humidity at every turn. You may have better luck, but that was my experience with a heat lamp.

Keep it up ! :)

I'd say you're good to use the wood if you seal it (I'd seal it even with plexi over it). I haven't seen you say what type of wood it is, but chances are if its regular plywood then it is pine. Instead of plexiglass over it, you could also do vinyl tiles or something... I suggest that because its much cheaper and easier to cut to size than plexi :D

As far as sealing it goes... Mod Podge is junk and the seal is "meh" at best (personal experience). Its ridiculously over-priced elmer's glue, and if moisture sits on it, it will soak into it and stain. If you're wanting to go cheap then seal with watered down wood glue (watered down for sake of application). Couple coats of this is a much better seal than an equal amount of Mod Podge. If you're looking to go a little higher quality then I'd suggest a water-based Polycrylic or something similar. I know people have also used marine varnish (wood sealant for boats) and such too...

Personally I'd seal the particle board with a high gloss enamel like colors in plastic by varithane. It dries hard and is vary resistant to water (I have used in on many kayaks) just make sure you allow it to dry completely and gas out before you add the snake.

I also feel the height will cause an issue in the future. I have one enclosure (just over 1 year) that is 18 inches and it works fine but it is also the hardest to balance ambient temps (it is not in a heated room) I would be concerned that the heating systems needed for such a tall space to be needlessly costly and complex. A shorter enclosure makes both humidity and ambient temps much easier, I have one that is 14 and that 4 inchs requires one less heater that the taller one needs (t-stat too). They are basically the same design.

Yea that plexi-glass will work perfect, just get it cut perfectly to size and use Aquarium safe silicone and it should'nt be toxic

Heres a good site for custom cut plexi.

https://www.estreetplastics.com/Plex...Clear_s/21.htm

Looks awsome though! I'm sure your ball python will love it.

that looks like the partical boare that they sell at Lowse with a camo print on it?????
hate to say it,, but that stuff will fall apart when it gets wet,,, and it will get wet.
also, is that a screen front? arent there issues with snakes harming themselfs by rubbing their faces on screen????
BTW,, the construction looks very well done.. if it comes to where you need to build something else,, im sure youll do a good job..
spooky

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mr.spooky

that looks like the partical boare that they sell at Lowse with a camo print on it?????
hate to say it,, but that stuff will fall apart when it gets wet,,, and it will get wet.
also, is that a screen front? arent there issues with snakes harming themselfs by rubbing their faces on screen????
BTW,, the construction looks very well done.. if it comes to where you need to build something else,, im sure youll do a good job..
spooky

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it is the lowest mossy oak.and the front is made of plexi glass.I kinda figured it would soak up some water but figured it would last till I could do one to the specs I really want.It was also really cheap to make.

like you said I took my time to make sure it was secure and safe as possible.Glad I took pics and asked questions.know it will probably last a lot longer.

Thanks to everyone! I am definitely going to seal it.don't know about plexi.I'll probably try n find something more suitable.
once agian thanks!