| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kdlang |
Posted - 31/01/2010 : 17:21:41
My son and I have just built Alice's new viv and just had a bit of a query about what bits need sealing. I know all the joins need sealing and around the vinyl tile covering the heatmat, but do I also need to seal around the vents and around the wires? |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| n/a |
Posted - 02/02/2010 : 22:54:49
quote:
Originally posted by kdlang
Well got the viv sealed this afternoon. Aquarium sealant used. And crikey its no wonder you have to leave it a couple of days before putting snakey in. had to come up for air a couple of times lol. It looks like its going to be another few days before Alice can move in tho as my new heatmat hasn't arrived today as I thought it would which means I couldn't get that sealed in.
Yer its strong stuff! Makes your eyes water!  But needed to help it keep waterproof. Hope you get the mat soon.
Do not worry about "sealing" the heat mat in, unless you mean the mains wire through the pre-drilled holes?
I just lie a piece of vinyl on top of the mat, if the snake somehow does get underneath a sealed mat, it will be harder for him/her to find their way out. There will be people who DO seal the mat down itself, but I personally wouldn't.
EDIT: @GP. Thanks. I was writing that the same time as you I think, I just took ages longer waffling my way to an answer as usual! |
| gingerpony |
Posted - 02/02/2010 : 21:44:33
that's soooo much better than what i said Ben lol |
| Gaz_1989 |
Posted - 02/02/2010 : 08:52:49
Okey doke, thanks.
I will keep the 11" x 11" for spare and get a 17" x 11" at the weekend.
Shes not going to be in it for a few months yet anyway.
Cheers
Gaz |
| n/a |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 21:33:59
quote:
Originally posted by Gaz_1989
Is there a guide anywhere stating which heat mat is ideal for which viv?
Could problems occur having a 11" x 11" mat in a 36" x 18" viv?
After all the hot hide is still going to be completely over the mat, and thats the main thing isnt it? Having the hot hide?
Why does the mat need to be much bigger than the hide?
Thanks
Gaz
Yes it is correct the mat covering the hide is the main thing.
The best guide I'd use for mats covering the viv is 1/3 to 1/2 the surface area of the viv's floor. I prefer around 1/3 is suffice especially for corns. So as per my last post on a 36 X 18 would be 12 X 18 or similar (you suggested a 11 X 17 which is great.
http://www.888reptiles.co.uk/productsubcategories.php?SubCategoryID=203 are pretty good and I've used before.
There will be no problems using a smaller mat in a larger viv (assuming correct set up- thermostat etc.) It just means there will be less area of a "hot spot" for the snake so the cooler gradient will be more or less everywhere other than the hide.
As said it won't do any harm but its always best to provide the best possible environment you can for your pet. And for the sake of £16.13 from above link. It does all add up to a high cost but you can always use for spare set-ups or sell on the corn snake equipment for sale section of ebay. |
| gingerpony |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 21:27:19
quote:
Originally posted by Gaz_1989
I thought that 1/3 of the viv was a maximum though?
no, maximum is half the floor space covered, minimum is one third
that way they're warm if they're over the heatmat even if they're not in the warm hide |
| kdlang |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 18:26:09
Well got the viv sealed this afternoon. Aquarium sealant used. And crikey its no wonder you have to leave it a couple of days before putting snakey in. had to come up for air a couple of times lol. It looks like its going to be another few days before Alice can move in tho as my new heatmat hasn't arrived today as I thought it would which means I couldn't get that sealed in. |
| Gaz_1989 |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 16:51:28
Is there a guide anywhere stating which heat mat is ideal for which viv?
Could problems occur having a 11" x 11" mat in a 36" x 18" viv?
After all the hot hide is still going to be completely over the mat, and thats the main thing isnt it? Having the hot hide?
Why does the mat need to be much bigger than the hide?
Thanks
Gaz |
| Budaholic |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 16:12:20
I have a 17"x11" in Alices 36"x15" Viv and it's perfect. Even though it is almost half the length of the viv, it covers almost exactly 1/3rd of the floor area.
Mat - 17" X 11" = 187 sq inches,
Viv - 36" X 15" = 540 sq inches
187/540 = 0.346, just over 1/3rd
|
| Gaz_1989 |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 15:45:24
Thanks Bengy,
I thought that 1/3 of the viv was a maximum though?
I was told that 11" x 11" was perfect for a 36" x 15" viv, so didnt think it would be different for a 36" x 18"?
Thanks
Gaz |
| DannyBrown91 |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 15:00:52
quote:
Originally posted by bengy_s
quote:
Originally posted by Gaz_1989
I have got an 11" x 11" for my VX36.
It was actually a mistake, i thought i was ordering the 36" x 15" LX36, but i ordered the 36" x 18" one.
I am hoping this mat will be okay?
Thanks
Gaz
I would try to get one near to the depth of the viv and a third of the length so I would use an 18 X 12 inch. The other one will be of use for now but I would get a larger one. You can always keep the 11 X 11 as a spare..... Or equipment towards a new set up for another snake!
Yer i think i will probably pick up the 17 x 11 heat mats, will be a good few months before i need to get the set ups anyway.
I was just thinking i am going to have to buy 4 vivs for my 2 snakes as will need 2 for in my nans house where i will be moving in september when i go back to college and then another 2 in my mums house for when i stay over holidays and weekends. My nan isn't too fond of snakes so wouldn't be wanting to change water and pick up any poops lol.
I will probably get the bigger VX for in my nans and possibly the LX for in mums, to cut down on expenses a little bit, then i could use the 11x11 heat mats in there.
Sure the snakes won't mind down sizing for a couple of weeks at a time.
The fauns they are in now could be used as sort of travel boxes.
Didn't realise i had so much to buy lol, think i might start saving up now... |
| n/a |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 14:37:00
quote:
Originally posted by Gaz_1989
I have got an 11" x 11" for my VX36.
It was actually a mistake, i thought i was ordering the 36" x 15" LX36, but i ordered the 36" x 18" one.
I am hoping this mat will be okay?
Thanks
Gaz
I would try to get one near to the depth of the viv and a third of the length so I would use an 18 X 12 inch. The other one will be of use for now but I would get a larger one. You can always keep the 11 X 11 as a spare..... Or equipment towards a new set up for another snake! |
| SexyBear77 |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 13:36:05
I have a 17x11 in my 36x18.5 vivexotic. |
| Gaz_1989 |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 13:15:55
I have got an 11" x 11" for my VX36.
It was actually a mistake, i thought i was ordering the 36" x 15" LX36, but i ordered the 36" x 18" one.
I am hoping this mat will be okay?
Thanks
Gaz |
| DannyBrown91 |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 13:14:11
I was thinking the other day, i currently have an 11x11 heatmat under my fauns, i plan on getting VX36 vivariums when i move my snakes. These vis are 18.5 inches deep. Would i be ok using my current 11x11 heat mat or would i be best getting the 17x11 ones?
Sorry for hijacking the thread by the way, just with all the talk of vivs and heat mats i thought i would ask lol. |
| Gaz_1989 |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 13:03:41
Cool, Thanks Kizzig.
Cheers. |
| kizzig |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 12:52:09
quote:
Originally posted by Gaz_1989
Good thread.
Was going to ask similar questions today.
My viv came this morning.
Is silicone easy enough to remove when it comes to changing a mat etc?
Thanks
Gaz
Gaz, I reckon it will lift with a stanley blade. When reselaing a previous fishtank, we used a stanley blade to remove silicon (and I think that silicon is removed from shower cubicles/baths with a stanley blade prior to resealing too.)
If you do use a blade, you'll have to be carefull near the mat, but a three footer should have adequate space for you to be able to see what you're doing easily and avoid nicking any part of the mat/viv. |
| SexyBear77 |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 11:32:09
Wow GP, they are some sneaky snakes!! |
| Gaz_1989 |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 10:39:48
Good thread.
Was going to ask similar questions today.
My viv came this morning.
Is silicone easy enough to remove when it comes to changing a mat etc?
Thanks
Gaz |
| gingerpony |
Posted - 31/01/2010 : 22:21:57
i'd definitely recommend sealing round the vents!!
most of my vivs are home made and i had some escapees last year as 2 corns had managed to pop the vents [b]into[b] (not push out) the vivs and go for a wander..........fortunately they weren't missing for long!
one type of the vents in question had already been sealed in but obviously not enought sealant was used! and the other was a push to fit type that again, was popped inside the viv.......so worth sealing that type too
and finally, make sure you're using aquarium grade silicon sealant that's safe for reps  |
| Stumpy |
Posted - 31/01/2010 : 17:58:57
They do recommend sealing around the Vents and closing off the wire holes. |
