The jfreels glass tank setup w/pics *DUW*

[jfreels]

Here's a little rundown on how I handle my glass tanks for my snakes. This is my fourth time going through this process and I've pretty much settled on this process.

What you'll need

• Clean tank, I'm using a 20 gallon long I got off Craigslist for $25
• UTH (Under Tank Heater)
• Screen mesh tank topper
• Cage locks
• Con-Tact Shelf liner, black 18"x4' will do a 20 Gallon long with a little extra
• Tin foil
• Foil tape
• 2 identical hides
• Water dish
• Accurite Indoor/Outdoor thermometer with probe
• Rheostat or thermostat

Step 1
Start with an open area where you can work on modifying the tank. I choose a desk.



Step 2
The thing I hate most about setting up tanks has to be "blacking them out". I have tried different methods and non-stick shelf liner has been my favorite. I got this roll for about $6 at Home Depot.



Measure out your dimensions for cutting the shelf liner. Picture added for not-so-dramatic effect.



I used double-sided Scotch tape to hold the contact paper. I don't want a permanent solution. If you want a more permanent solution, look into painting the sides.



Step 3
Let's get this tank warm! I'm using an Exo-Terra Heat Wave UTH. This is the first one I have installed/used. It was on sale for $18. Follow the directions for applying it to your tank. If you don't want it permanent, take the paper off the back and cover the stick side with foil tape and then use foil tape to attach it to your tank.


Attach the probe from your Accurite, try to get it dead center of the mat. As you can see, I'm not using hot-glue to attach this probe. I will later, the next time it gets a deep clean.


Step 4
Now lets fill the tank with all the things your snake needs. To make things easier, I wind the probe cable on the Accurite around it's stand. This way I don't have bunched up cable going throughout the cage, even though it's covered up with bedding. Also, don't forget to hit that little Time/Temp button so you can always see the "In" temp as well as the "Out" temp.


Put in the bedding, hides and water dish.


Step 5
Keeping in humidity is one of the hardest things in a glass tank. I use foil on the top to help keep in a little heat and humidity. Take the foil and fold it over itself three times and keep about an inch gap on both sides. Then secure it with foil tape.



Step 6
Add your snake, hook up a rheostat or thermostat and don't forget the cage clips!



I hope this little tutorial helps someone. It has taken a lot of trial and error to find something that works good for me. This formula does the trick.

[AkHerps]

I use black construction paper on the back of my tanks, just cheaper I guess.

Where can you find the aluminum tape? Or do I have to get it online?

[jfreels]

I got my aluminum tape at Home Depot. It was about $7 for the roll and it's the same roll I got when I did my first tank. All my other tanks have the UTH covered with the tape also.

I should try the black construction paper. Originally, I needed something that would offer a little insulation. Now that I have a heated reptile room, I guess it doesn't matter anymore.

[AkHerps]

Yeah it was just the only thing I had laying around and it worked easy enough. I basically black out the sides and backs of all my tanks.

I'll have to check out home depot, that stuff seems like a great way to re-use heat pads/tape!

[rabernet]

Very good write up! Sticky worthy!

[Bones]

Another good way I found to black out the back and sides of the tank is to use window tint meant for a car. I purchased 2.5% limo black tint, cut it to size and used electrical tape to attach it to the tank. It can obviously be attached like one would do on a car window, but I wanted something I could take off when I clean the tank.

[jsmorphs2]

Very good write up! Sticky worthy!

x2...great job, very informative and easy to follow. This is very helpful to those who want a glass tank set up.

[BrianaK]

Thats how my aquarium looks, except I have thick foam stuff along the outside to hold in the heat, and plexiglass on top covering about 95%. Works well. Great post!

[BEasy119]

i use black construction paper on the back of my tanks, just cheaper i guess.

Where can you find the aluminum tape? Or do i have to get it online?

my friend told me you can find aluminum tape at menard's.

[franken_stein]

Holy bananas. This is EXACTLY what I needed and was looking for. Thank you thank you thank you! This is so amazing! Thanks so much for posting this up for us This is so appreciated.

On another note - I was going to buy the decorated paper from a pet store so that it would have a fancy-schmancy background but really, now I realize that's unnecessary. I'm just going to go with black - it looks great!