Making a 40 gallon feel more secure

[Jessimica]

Hey everyone,

Now that I've finally got the temps in my terrarium right, I'm working on a secure feeling setup for a young BP.

I have a 40-gallon terrarium and am doing my best to make it seem smaller for him. I bought a large plant from my local craft store and put it in:



I have not purchased hides or a water dish yet because I do not know how big he will be, and I plan to buy perfect-sized hides for him to assist with low stress.
I will also be covering two sides and the back with black paper. The lamp is a CHE.

Should I add more plants/decorations? Less?

Thanks,

Jessimica

[hozr]

I use foam core boards from the craft store to make decorated backgrounds for three sides. I just cut them to the size of the glass panels and then my wife paints them how ever she wants. She is the better artist anyways. It blocks off most of the tank and that makes my older girl very happy plus the foam core attached to the outside acts as a minor insulator since glass isn't the best at containing heat. I also use foam core wrapped in foil as a filler for the screen top...with a hole for the lamp obviously.

0.1 normal 100% het pied (Nayo)
0.1 Mojave (Zillo)

[Jessimica]

Great suggestion. I'm an artist but pretty much awful with physical mediums. I'll try foam core though!

[KMG]

This is more current. I had to take out some of the plants because my ball is so big they started making the tank crowded. I moved them to the gtp and bought new plants that opened the tank up some. I thought it would be easier to see this than me describing it. All the plants in the substrate are real. Also in the newer pic my substrate is a mix of ReptiBark, EcoEarth, and Forest Floor. A great thing to add is moss as its cheap and is great cover for snakes to move through.

You may look into a lamp stand at the big box stores, around $20. This would keep you from constantly moving the che and will extend is life and keep you safer since you wouldn't have to move it at its blazing temp. Also you need to check the hotspot created directly under the che on the substrate to make sure its a good temp.

[Jessimica]

Wow, that's a beautiful terrarium. I think I should definitely get more decorations in mine after seeing yours.

As for plants - I'm only comfortable with fake plants, so I'll look into getting some fake moss and spreading pieces of it around. I saw it at the craft store today, I wish I had purchased it...

Just checked temps again:

Warm side: 90F
Hotspot: 92 F
Cool side: 80F

These are all substrate temps.

There's a 2" area on the edge of the cool side that drops to 76F, but I won't be placing the hide directly on the edge.

[KMG]

Thanks.

Your temp sounds good.

As for moss you want one that will hold moisture and reptile safe. I'm not saying the craft store moss isn't, I don't know. What I do know is I like this stuff and it goes along way.

It works great in hides to make them seem smaller and when dampened creates a great boost of humidity within the hides.

http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Terrar...exo+terra+moss

Also never buy the fake plants that are plastic chain links. Your snake will get to big and get stuck in them. This could be very bad if not caught as it can act as a tourniquet.

[Jessimica]

That's better than what I have in mind, because it's actually useful for humidity, haha.

I'm going to look for that or a similar brand at the local pet store tomorrow. Thanks!

PS: I almost bought the chain link ones and I didn't because they were ugly! I'm glad I made the right decision.
I spent a long time pruning my current plant to remove edges.

[KMG]

That's better than what I have in mind, because it's actually useful for humidity, haha.

I'm going to look for that or a similar brand at the local pet store tomorrow. Thanks!

PS: I almost bought the chain link ones and I didn't because they were ugly! I'm glad I made the right decision.
I spent a long time pruning my current plant to remove edges.

[Jessimica]

Progress update!

I still need hides/water dish obviously, but plants are in and so is the background. The two side panels will have black paper on them (temps are good, no need for foamcore) after I pick some up tomorrow.

Here's some pics:

[Jessimica]

WHOOPS, forgot to add that I bought a log and a rock to put in, but they're soaking in hot water overnight.