Yet another "critique my setup!" thread!

[mousch]

I know you're so excited for it!
So I went out today and bought just the basics for my setup. I don't have my UTH or thermostat or hygrometer or thermometers yet because those come next paycheck. Then I get my snake in August!
here is my setup:

-rubbermaid shoebox (holes go in tonight)
-2 electrical access box things with 1" diameter openings (yay home depot!)
-1 terra cotta plant pot bottom. This looks a little large, so I'll have to see how the little guy likes it and maybe buy a smaller one if he isn't a soaker.

These electrical access boxes are very neat - made of PVC with a screw on back for easy cleaning. I can also use that feature to make a humid hide when I need to. They come in a lot of sizes too so I can keep him in similar hides for awhile!

So what do you think? Should anything be changed? Are there any risks for snakes associated with PVC?

[Wild Bill]

You can go with alot smaller water dish, also I am not sure about the hides. I don't know how well the heat will penetrate those electrical conduit fittings, they seem to be awful thick. Just get yourself some cheap plastic bowls from a dollar store and cut access holes in them.

[snaker35]

your going to need a shoehorn to get a snake in there. I'd spend the 7 bucks for a nice sized rubbermaid container. I feel that is waaaaaaaaaaaay to small. unless your housing a worm and I don't think those electrical boxes will work for hides. flip the terra cotta thing over, make a hole. and bingo.


unless this is of course...a joke

[JLC]

I dont' think the container itself is too small, but I also wonder about the choice of hides. You want something you can lift off the snake. If the snake gets into a tube and you need to get it out for some reason, you could find yourself in trouble.


I tried using a paper-towel tube as a hide for our gopher snake when he was little...ended up having to tear the whole thing up to get him out. Don't know what I would have done if it had been heavy plastic.

EDIT: Looking at the pic again, it looks like the backs of those things screw on and off...which would allow you to get at the animal...still, if that's the case, it seems like it would cause way more stress and trouble than just a simple plastic "cave" you could lift up. (Said "cave" being a plant dish, small bowl, or whatever.)

[gmmuscle91]

He could just take a jigsaw and cut the bottom of it out, and then sand down the edges to make sure they are smooth. Other than that I think those hides are pretty cool!

[kavmon]

those electrical boxes are nice for wires, but if your snake gets in them and you want it out, you are going to have to remove the cover alot. they also cost more than plastic flower pot bottoms. i get alot of hides from walmart,


for small ones, less than a buck



for big ones, 2 bucks


hope this helps

vaughn

[rabernet]

That last hide is the one that Sarah uses, but I have a door soldered out rather than a nice neat hole at the top - GRRRRR - however the door has been the door of death for many of Sarah's meals - the rat peeks in and it's all over!

Oh, and the enclosure itself does not look too small for a baby.

[Sputnik]

Like what most people have said, ditch those hides.... get a plastic container of appropriate size and cut a hole in it. Simplistic usually is the best way.

As for heat, I always control all my heat by thermostat.

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

I dont know... I kind of like the electric boxes for hides, but there are definitely easier approaches..

not bad either way!

[mousch]

Sorry, this enclosure is for a little baby right now, and it will grow with him for sure! I figured tighter is better for little babies. I'm also considering screwing off the back and setting it on that "back" so it could be lifted off this guy. I haven't set up my heat and everything yet so I don't know how well they will conduct so I have thought of removing the back and setting it that way to make it lift off. I thought it would be good to have backed for a humid hide too though.

I'm gonna have a smaller terra cotta on hand do see what he prefers, and if I need to I'll get just a simpler cave type of hide. Thanks!