Tank Improvements

In my other thread I asked about how I could improve my 30 gallon tank to give a more natural looking environment. I was finally able to get a picture to load and its still huge and I took it from as far away as i could and croped it. I went to Walmart today and looked at the artificial plants. How should i put the plants into the tank. I dont want any pots in the tank. I was thinking of using the foam stuff and covering it with substrate. Im currently using aspen but would like to have a more natural looking substrate meaning a darker more Earthly coloration. I was thinking of either cypress mulch or the coconut bark. Here is my pic tell me what you guys gals think. All of your suggestions and opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Ringo

Click here for picture.

Well, I replied in the other thread, so I'll reply here to. :)

My suggestions would be to add a nice jungly background and a few vines from dollar store, Walmart, or craft stores such as JoAnns or Hobby Lobby (tho they can be kinda pricey). Otherwise it's looking good. That driftwood assembly is the same type as the one in my tank, and my snake adores it.

Ya i think if i can get a good background that will really make a big difference. The problem is finding one. The local petsmart usually only has backgrounds for tropical aquariums not vivariums. Ive been looking up how to make my own but I think that might be a little too pricey and not so easy. Im gonna try to go to a couple of pet stores tomorrow to see what i can find.

Does anyone know if the craft foam like you use with artificial plants would be harmful. I was going to use that with some artificial plants so i wouldnt have to have big pots in the tank. I was gonna cover it with substrate so it would give a more natural growing appearance.

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Originally Posted by Ringo

Does anyone know if the craft foam like you use with artificial plants would be harmful. I was going to use that with some artificial plants so i wouldnt have to have big pots in the tank. I was gonna cover it with substrate so it would give a more natural growing appearance.

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A ball python doesn't need that. All a Ball Python needs is 2 hides a water dish and proper temps and humidity. Just try to think about whats best for the snake, not something that looks good for you. This is the life of a ball python:
eat
sleep
drink
sleep
sleep
drink
ect..

A ball python doesn't say, oh look a 50 inch plasma TV, that would be nice to have. A ball pythons life is like survival. IMO I would just keep the 2 hides and water dish. Remember the snake could care less about plants. :2cent:

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Originally Posted by Bright202

A ball python doesn't need that. All a Ball Python needs is 2 hides a water dish and proper temps and humidity. Just try to think about whats best for the snake, not something that looks good for you. This is the life of a ball python:
eat
sleep
drink
sleep
sleep
drink
ect..

A ball python doesn't say, oh look a 50 inch plasma TV, that would be nice to have. A ball pythons life is like survival. IMO I would just keep the 2 hides and water dish. Remember the snake could care less about plants. :2cent:

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If you have your snake out in the open its basically a display piece. I agree that the snake doesn't care but a natural looking environment is nice to look at. A display cage without plants is pretty boring to look at. Two hides, a water bowl and a twig...yipee. I agree, spruce it up. Get some fake vines and or plants and put them in. I hot glue vines to my branches and lay them about in my display cage. Most of my snakes are in a rack but I have two that have custom oak cages and it looks awesome with the plants. Just remember that its harder to clean the poo off of the fake plants. As far as the foam planter stuff you are wondering about, its not going to hurt him but he's still going to knock your plants over daily. Pretty destructive buggers they are.

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Originally Posted by Bright202

A ball python doesn't say, oh look a 50 inch plasma TV, that would be nice to have. :

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hahaha, I agree also, but once I move my BP into his lifetime home (which will be a much larger enclosure once he reaches about 2 feet) I'm going to style it up, if not for him for mine own piece of mind and viewing pleasure.

IMO I think that your BP may actually like plants in its tank to help fill in some of that extra space. It can help to make it a little more comfy cozy for him, and a little less open feeling. I have a vine that curls around my BP's tank as well as a couple other fake plants, and though it makes it pretty for me, I have seen her "hiding" behind the plants and then poking her head out of them. Kinda cute!! So my guess is that she likes it too, gives her a little more security as she moves from one side/hide to the other.

If you have a hot glue gun, you could always try hot glueing the plants to the back of the hides maybe?? If you get vines, just curl them around on the floor and maybe drape a little over its log thing you have. In my cornsnake tank, I have a fake leafy thing (like for artificial plant arrangements) and instead of setting it up or cutting it in anyway, I basically fluffed the leaves out and laid it in his tank and hid the end part behind one of the hides. I figure the snakes are going to crawl over/around them anyway and move them so I just make it easy on myself and not really "arrange" anything to stay in a particular spot. Just make sure that whatever plants you get don't have sharp wires poking out.

Try Eco-Earth substrate for a more natural look. Also, here are a few pics of Kobi's old set-up, plants and all that. I've gone back to basic, as it was too much of a hassle to disinfect all that greenery every week or two to avoid mold or bacteria growth due to needed humidity.
Before:
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z...ics/setup5.jpg
Now:
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z.../chiminea2.jpg

Plants aren't just 'eye candy' for the owner, as stated before they fill in the open space for an animal that hates feeling exposed. That's why I recommend covering the back and both sides with some sort of background or dark material. Currently, my tank has a very nice jungle-looking aquarium background on the back and black-painted cork on the sides. Soon it will have foam insulation outside that for winter temp regulation.
Yes, everyone should consider the safety and well being of their snake first, but included in that is comfort and feeling secure. Display tanks and cages are for human benefit, so we have to make it up to the snake by adding plenty of cover. The fact that the cover can make the tank look even better is just a bonus for us.

Bright202-

Yes the snake might not need it, but there is nothing wrong with making it look nice for the handler as well. I think it is a bit much of you to throw in your two cents about how it is not necessary and he should just leave it alone, when he wants to make it look nice. Not to mention it will not hurt the snake to add a bit more the the tank, especially a glass tank, to create a more secure fealing for a baby snake. This can be paralleled to adding crumpled newspaper to a baby snakes cage to make it feel more secure.

I remember a time not too long ago when you were flipping out with questions every two minutes and looking for the cool factor with an exo terra arboreal tank, etc.... I'd look at some of the other posts about creating an environment where the snake does not feel exposed a lot.

I'd even go so far as to say that some people here WOULD say the snake benefits from it.

Thats just my .02, let him make it look nice

-Camp

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Originally Posted by bcampos

Bright202-

Yes the snake might not need it, but there is nothing wrong with making it look nice for the handler as well. I think it is a bit much of you to throw in your two cents about how it is not necessary and he should just leave it alone, when he wants to make it look nice. Not to mention it will not hurt the snake to add a bit more the the tank, especially a glass tank, to create a more secure fealing for a baby snake. This can be paralleled to adding crumpled newspaper to a baby snakes cage to make it feel more secure.

I remember a time not too long ago when you were flipping out with questions every two minutes and looking for the cool factor with an exo terra arboreal tank, etc.... I'd look at some of the other posts about creating an environment where the snake does not feel exposed a lot.

I'd even go so far as to say that some people here WOULD say the snake benefits from it.

Thats just my .02, let him make it look nice

-Camp

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Sure he can use it, but what I have learned is that, all that stuff in a tank, isn't something it needs. If its just a baby, ya, go ahead, he can do whatever he wants with his tank, buts like I said, its just my opinion.

Oh and I switched to tubs, soon to be a rack. :D

yeah i agree with the majority. my royal loves hanging out in his bush so i've ordered another for the other corner. he loves to climb but sadly he's not very good as i keep hearing a clunk, look round to find him back on the floor :P lets hope he gets better!
as for which to have, i went for the exo terra abutilon, they come in three sizes, various styles, can be secured to a glass tank very well with the provided sucker and look very natural. i have a wooden viv so i used a staple gun to secure it to the wall.

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Originally Posted by rottendj

yeah i agree with the majority. my royal loves hanging out in his bush so i've ordered another for the other corner. he loves to climb but sadly he's not very good as i keep hearing a clunk, look round to find him back on the floor :P lets hope he gets better!

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The snake won't get better at climbing, they are ground dwellers and with their girthy bodies aren't particularily good climbers. It's best to keep all cage "furniture" low to the ground so your snake isn't falling from heights that might harm or stress it.

There's nothing wrong with fake vinery, etc. Especially in a glass tank it can help the snake feel less exposed. As long as you keep in mind that ball pythons don't make particularily good display type snakes and have reasonable expectations that way, then go for it. Always check plastic plants for exposed wires, leaves that can easily be pulled off and snip off the hanging O ring that soem come with. Remember to clean them regularily so they don't get nasty (snakes will poop and pee on anything LOL).

Here's an example of a background we found at a pet store for our daughter's milksnake's home. You could also try printing one out from online, or looking at wallpaper rolls in the discount bin at your local home decorating store.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...ProudOwner.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...0MonthsOld.jpg

Another idea for backgrounds is tissue paper. You can find zillions of cool prints at Hobby Lobby or other places, it only costs like $1.99, and you get a crap load of it. That's what I used to do her leopard print background. Just an idea.

Good point about making sure climbing things are low as the snake gets older, I should have said something. *slaps hand*

As far as putting the plants in, don't get loose florals that have to be anchored, cause they can have exposed wires and WILL get knocked over. The best thing to do is get the vines, cut off the hanging ring (unless you can install a suction cup to it) and either suction them to the lower walls of the tank or just lay them out where you want them. The snake will then 'arrange' them to where he wants. I have two plants made for reptile cages with the suction cups and my girl loves slithering through them and covering the openings to her caves with the tendrils.

Another background idea would be fabric. Thicker and thus warmer, comes in Many different designs including reptiles, and can easily be installed around the outsides with velcro.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

The snake won't get better at climbing, they are ground dwellers and with their girthy bodies aren't particularily good climbers. It's best to keep all cage "furniture" low to the ground so your snake isn't falling from heights that might harm or stress it.
on anything LOL).

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I wouldnt say he fell from a height as it was no higher than your milk snake in the pic although i appreciate your concern :)

Well let me tell ya. I just finished spending more money than i really meant too lol. I think i got some pretty good stuff though. I bought some T-Rex Cypress Bedding. I think it will help with my humidity issues at least im hoping it will anyway. Not that the humidity has really been a problem. Its been staying a constant 40% no matter how much i mist. I know I know your all gonna say you should go with a tub but oh well lol. I keep damp papertowels in the two caves and the two sheds he has had have been great with no problems. I also got 2 things of Flukers English Ivy repti vines with a sucktion cup on the bottom. I thought the English Ivy looked the most realistic of the selection they had so thats what I went with. I just finished ordering an Exo-Terra textured background from www.petsmart.com and of course they didnt have one long enough to fit my tank so I went ahead and ordered two so hopefully i can get it all cut down to fit. Check it out and tell me what you think just type background in the search and it should pop up. I just fed the little guy last night so im gonna wait till saturday to fix up the tank cause i dont want to bother him right now on a full stomach. Ill post pics when i fix it up so you can tell me what else i should do to improve. So ya keep the comments coming cause you all have great ideas and opinions.