Tank Improvements

[Ringo]

In my other thread I asked about how I could improve my 30 gallon tank to give a more natural looking environment. I was finally able to get a picture to load and its still huge and I took it from as far away as i could and croped it. I went to Walmart today and looked at the artificial plants. How should i put the plants into the tank. I dont want any pots in the tank. I was thinking of using the foam stuff and covering it with substrate. Im currently using aspen but would like to have a more natural looking substrate meaning a darker more Earthly coloration. I was thinking of either cypress mulch or the coconut bark. Here is my pic tell me what you guys gals think. All of your suggestions and opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Ringo

Click here for picture.

[Argentra]

Well, I replied in the other thread, so I'll reply here to.

My suggestions would be to add a nice jungly background and a few vines from dollar store, Walmart, or craft stores such as JoAnns or Hobby Lobby (tho they can be kinda pricey). Otherwise it's looking good. That driftwood assembly is the same type as the one in my tank, and my snake adores it.

[Ringo]

Ya i think if i can get a good background that will really make a big difference. The problem is finding one. The local petsmart usually only has backgrounds for tropical aquariums not vivariums. Ive been looking up how to make my own but I think that might be a little too pricey and not so easy. Im gonna try to go to a couple of pet stores tomorrow to see what i can find.

[Ringo]

Does anyone know if the craft foam like you use with artificial plants would be harmful. I was going to use that with some artificial plants so i wouldnt have to have big pots in the tank. I was gonna cover it with substrate so it would give a more natural growing appearance.

[Bright202]

Does anyone know if the craft foam like you use with artificial plants would be harmful. I was going to use that with some artificial plants so i wouldnt have to have big pots in the tank. I was gonna cover it with substrate so it would give a more natural growing appearance.

A ball python doesn't need that. All a Ball Python needs is 2 hides a water dish and proper temps and humidity. Just try to think about whats best for the snake, not something that looks good for you. This is the life of a ball python:
eat
sleep
drink
sleep
sleep
drink
ect..

A ball python doesn't say, oh look a 50 inch plasma TV, that would be nice to have. A ball pythons life is like survival. IMO I would just keep the 2 hides and water dish. Remember the snake could care less about plants.

[Royalherper]

A ball python doesn't need that. All a Ball Python needs is 2 hides a water dish and proper temps and humidity. Just try to think about whats best for the snake, not something that looks good for you. This is the life of a ball python:
eat
sleep
drink
sleep
sleep
drink
ect..

A ball python doesn't say, oh look a 50 inch plasma TV, that would be nice to have. A ball pythons life is like survival. IMO I would just keep the 2 hides and water dish. Remember the snake could care less about plants.

If you have your snake out in the open its basically a display piece. I agree that the snake doesn't care but a natural looking environment is nice to look at. A display cage without plants is pretty boring to look at. Two hides, a water bowl and a twig...yipee. I agree, spruce it up. Get some fake vines and or plants and put them in. I hot glue vines to my branches and lay them about in my display cage. Most of my snakes are in a rack but I have two that have custom oak cages and it looks awesome with the plants. Just remember that its harder to clean the poo off of the fake plants. As far as the foam planter stuff you are wondering about, its not going to hurt him but he's still going to knock your plants over daily. Pretty destructive buggers they are.

[BigCeC43]

A ball python doesn't say, oh look a 50 inch plasma TV, that would be nice to have. :

hahaha, I agree also, but once I move my BP into his lifetime home (which will be a much larger enclosure once he reaches about 2 feet) I'm going to style it up, if not for him for mine own piece of mind and viewing pleasure.

[Sunny1]

IMO I think that your BP may actually like plants in its tank to help fill in some of that extra space. It can help to make it a little more comfy cozy for him, and a little less open feeling. I have a vine that curls around my BP's tank as well as a couple other fake plants, and though it makes it pretty for me, I have seen her "hiding" behind the plants and then poking her head out of them. Kinda cute!! So my guess is that she likes it too, gives her a little more security as she moves from one side/hide to the other.

If you have a hot glue gun, you could always try hot glueing the plants to the back of the hides maybe?? If you get vines, just curl them around on the floor and maybe drape a little over its log thing you have. In my cornsnake tank, I have a fake leafy thing (like for artificial plant arrangements) and instead of setting it up or cutting it in anyway, I basically fluffed the leaves out and laid it in his tank and hid the end part behind one of the hides. I figure the snakes are going to crawl over/around them anyway and move them so I just make it easy on myself and not really "arrange" anything to stay in a particular spot. Just make sure that whatever plants you get don't have sharp wires poking out.

[Kobi Baby]

Try Eco-Earth substrate for a more natural look. Also, here are a few pics of Kobi's old set-up, plants and all that. I've gone back to basic, as it was too much of a hassle to disinfect all that greenery every week or two to avoid mold or bacteria growth due to needed humidity.
Before:

Now:

[Argentra]

Plants aren't just 'eye candy' for the owner, as stated before they fill in the open space for an animal that hates feeling exposed. That's why I recommend covering the back and both sides with some sort of background or dark material. Currently, my tank has a very nice jungle-looking aquarium background on the back and black-painted cork on the sides. Soon it will have foam insulation outside that for winter temp regulation.
Yes, everyone should consider the safety and well being of their snake first, but included in that is comfort and feeling secure. Display tanks and cages are for human benefit, so we have to make it up to the snake by adding plenty of cover. The fact that the cover can make the tank look even better is just a bonus for us.