The jfreels glass tank setup w/pics *DUW*

[presacane]

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.

thanks a lot i have four glass and appreciate the time and work u put into showing us

[jfreels]

You say to
"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."
If your not using glue this time, how are you attaching it? I'm trying to set up my cage right now, actually a couple cages while I'm waiting for a different size UTH to come in, and the my thermostat probe is massive! Your post is very helpful though, I just need a bit of clarification since this is my first time owning a BP. Thanks!


Also, how necessary is it to black out the sides? I know BP's are nocturnal, but I'm planning on keep Erikson in his own room with the shades down and lights off... It's a storage room so there will be no traffic or anything either...

Sorry I am just seeing this! I used a piece of foil tape, in fact, it held up so well, I don't bother with the hot glue anymore, it makes it much easier to do the deep cleans.

I've seen some BP's that are just fine in enclosures without blacking out the glass. I think it will greatly improve settling in a new snake. IMO, if your snake eats, poops and stays in it's hide a lot, don't change anything

[rdoyle]

I have a question I have a 43 inc long male in a 20L to me it is small am I right I dont have room for 2 hides. I will up grade to a 40 breeder some when I get some money stored away for him

[rdoyle]

What I am asking should i up grade to a 40 breed when I get the money for should I stay with the 20 long

[bigblue09]

where did you get your hides from? my female bp is almost 3ft long. would she fit in those?

[bigblue09]

i just completed doing my tank this way. i got the same thermometer you did and stuck it to the bottom right on top of the heating pad. its reading 100 deg right on top of it. i have a bark blend as a substrate and her hide is right above the pad. is this too hot?

[NoLaHeRpEr]

Love the idea of the black liner....Headed to home depot after work for some now.

[Daniel Dow]

Would this work for a 55g tank? with two uths one on the cool side one on the warm, both attached to t-stats?

[PiedAddict083]

That's a fancy set up, just what I need for my snake. Where do you get cage locks though? Also, what's the best way to keep humidity in the tank if you use aspen snake bedding?

[youbeyouibei]

Great information and thanks very much! I just got two ball pythons a few weeks ago (first ones! 1. Albino and .1 Het Albino) and was having a lot of trouble getting their temps/humidity adjusted correctly. The aluminum foil and foil tape worked out AWESOME!, and I covered three sides of the terrariums with double reflective insulation secured with the foil tape to insulate the glass and give them some "privacy" on their respective tanks. The temps are right where they should be and with a twice-daily misting of water, the humidity is exactly right. Thanks again for the great information!