Water Section in BP Vivarium

[danielfritino]

So I have set up a new terrarium and instead of using a water bowl i decided to seal off about 5.5" x 18" for a filtered water section. Is there any disadvantage to using this type of setup? My cleaning schedule will stay the same as far as frequency and everything, I just figured having a larger amount of filtered and aerated water would fair better with the snake. (towel will be gone and location of tan in pic will change to a stand, just set it up on large table to get everything ready)



Also coming up on my first feeding this Wednesday; I have a separate container with hide and water bowl for feeding because i have read that you shouldn't feed in the terrarium, but then there is so much conflicting opinion and evidence that if you take them out and put them in another cage to eat they'll associate coming out of the terrarium with eating and be excited while being handled blah blah blah. For feeding in the terrarium people say it's better for them so you don't have to move them while food is in them, and they're less likely to have problems feeding in their normal environment than a smaller and different container.... For every point and tip there is the exact opposite with reasonable thought behind it so i am really conflicted. I have 12" tweezers no matter where i decide to feed so, having my hand struck is not likely.

[Cyndymei]

I don't think there is any disadvantage to this type of set up, but I do not see the point and wonder if there will be an adequate heat gradient. Do you have an under tank heater and thermostat for your snake? The snake may enjoy the filtered water, but I doubt it will care too much. Mine are happy with tap water. It does look very aesthetically pleasing though!

The whole feeding outside of the terrarium is a myth. It makes no difference and does not cause cage aggression, at least from my experiences. I would recommend hook training your snake which would be gently alerting it of your presence with the snake hook when opening the tank so it realizes it is not feeding time. However, mine have no issues with confusing my hand for food, nor have I had to hook train them. Using the tweezers will work well for feeding.

[Tbrown806]

Had the same cage for a period and actually had plans to do the exact water feature but my girl outgrow the cage quickly. If not mistaken that looks like the 24x18 cage. Looks great with the water feature. Once she hit about 40 inches at 8 months, it was extremely cramped once two adequate sized hides were placed in there. Be prepared if you haven't already to cover a portion of the screen top to hold in some humidity which shouldn't be an issue with the waterfall constantly putting moisture in the air.

What are you using for heat and a thermostat? As long as you have a good heat and cool side, I love the look. I'm now using an AP T10 cage which I'm loving so far.

I prefer to feed in a separate tub as well, not because she might associate the cage opening for feeding but the couple times I've fed in her enclosure I worry about her taking down some substrate will eating. I like the look of aspen. I've had to pick shavings out of her mouth on a couple of occasions. But that's a whole discussion in itself about possible impaction. It just works for us right now so that's what we're doing.

Anyway, love the set up. By the way, what are you putting in there?

[KMG]

You need to search feeding here. All the seasoned keepers will tell you to feed in the snakes home. I have 8 snakes and they are all fed in their homes without any issue. I can tell you that if I was to feed outside I would get tagged by my gtp, brb, and 30 pound blood every time. I can also tell you that I have several naturalistic cages and the substrate is not an issue either.

[CORBIN911]

All I see is a pain to thoroughly clean.2-3 times you'll be like ok I got this. Come time after time you may get tired if it. All the dissembling

[danielfritino]

Thanks for the feedback guys. yes I have an under tank heater on right side away from water, two stats on both ends, humidistat in middle. it is a 36x18x18 cage and I have screen covered the top on left with only light at other screen part. I have red basking area and the gradient in the cage is 78 on one side, 88 on other average w 55-60% humidity as you can see from gauges on top of light. I'm using cypress bedding.

so I'm going to move right skull hide and feed on top of paper towel. I am using hook to remove him for handling.

[PitOnTheProwl]

yes I have an under tank heater on right side away from water, two stats on both ends, humidistat in middle. .

What is your UTH plugged into??
A THERMOstat regulates your heat source while a thermometer and hydrometer inform you of your environment.

[PitOnTheProwl]

and BTW that towel that it is sitting on with is a fire hazard with the UTH, especially one that is not regulated.

[danielfritino]

the UTH will be plugged into an outlet with everything else going through a rheostat to keep it at 90°. if you would have read whole post above you would have seen that I set the towel on my dining room table to keep the tank of the wood until my stand gets here on weds. so the red lamp is regulating heat spot at the moment until I put raised bottom tank on stand and plug in.

[mvptext1]

Your water feature off the side looks cool, but keeping it clean will be a pain. I keep reef tanks as well as snakes, and I can tell you it is much easier to remove a snake's water bowl and completely clean it in a sink. With the water feature you will get bacteria build up in there and it will be hard to completely disinfect without draining the water out of the water feature with a siphon and then cleaning it dry. However the vivarium look is cool and if you are willing to do the extra work to keep that water feature clean then it should work. I applaud your effort to provide your BP an enriching and interesting environment, I am sure it will appreciate the spaciousness and limbs to climb on. Mine does.

As far as feeding outside the cage, don't do that. It is a natural fear with new BP keepers to worry about being bit, but after 3 months with your BP you will learn its behavior and you won't be scared of it anymore cause you can read its body language.

Ken McCurley explained it in a radio interview that snakes live in "modes." When you understand the modes you can avoid being mistakenly bitten. So just give it time. It is best for the snake and less stressful for everyone involved if you just feed it in its enclosure.

Good Luck.