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AntC
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
16 Posts |
 Posted - 23/06/2014 : 20:43:38
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I have inherited a second hand viv, the make of which is unknown, but it measures 36" x 15' x 16" high with two sliding glass doors.
The first thing I have done is to remove all the sticky tape that seemed to be everywhere and the first question is about lighting. There is a strip light installed at the top of the back of the viv. It's 24" long and has a Repti-Glo Exo Terra bulb which I must assume is a good choice for this situation - do you agree? There is no guard to this light and it appears to get quite hot because it has discoloured a small round plastic air vent close by. There is also a small downlight in a box in the roof just behind the doors. This has a 35 watt green bulb installed but which I understand has never worked, even though the bulb is ok. Apparently the pet shop said that it was unsuitable for snakes. Does that make sense? The bulb is a standard 2 pin GU10 bulb for a downlight.
My next query concerns the heat mat. It is an Inverburn (sounds ominous!) and has never been installed with a thermostat. In my ignorance I can't see the point of a thermostat because when the thermostat turns on the heat pad, it's going to get just as hot as it would if the thermostat wasn't there and, as I understand it, the 'stat is there to prevent the snake from being burnt. Apparently, the heat pad and lights were on a timer and the pad measures 410 x 274mm and is rated at 21.5 Watts. I realise that the 'stat is there to keep a pre-determined temp in the viv, but I can't quite see how it will prevent a snake from being burnt if it is in contact with it.
Better leave it there I think - gone on for far too long! |
0.1.0 CB14 Corn Snake - Ceres
1.0.0 Labradoodle - Hero
Ant |
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kev 5
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3065 Posts |
Posted - 23/06/2014 : 21:20:35
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| To be honest you don't really need a light but if you do want one most people use led's as they don't give any heat. with regards to the heat mat the thermostat controls the amount of power sent to the heat mat so it will never be on full power as this will be to hot. the heat mat should cover about a 1/3 of the viv floor. The probe of the thermostat and probe from a digital thermometer should be placed directly on the heat mat, then adjust the thermostat until you get the desired temperature. |
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kev 5
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3065 Posts |
Posted - 23/06/2014 : 21:25:42
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| One last thing if you're going to put a hatchling into a viv that size make sure you have plenty of hides . Also be careful with the gap between the sliding glass doors as small corn snakes have been known to escape through this gap |
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AntC
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
16 Posts |
Posted - 23/06/2014 : 22:26:50
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Thanks Kev. I'm beginning to understand a bit more about the thermostats and how they work. I thought it just controlled the warmth in the viv and not the heat in the pad. I've had the Inverburn heat pad on for about an hour and it only gets moderately warm so I wonder whether it would need a thermostat.
I've already sealed the glass door gap with some extrusion that clips on to the edge of the glass - I use it on my series 1 land Rover and you can hardly slide a bit of paper through the gap!
I plan to keep the hatchling in a RUB for a while - half on the heat mat and half off. there will be hides in there. The mat covers about 1/3rd of the floor space.
I like the idea of a light as the viv is in quite a dark room and The idea of a LED sounds sensible. |
0.1.0 CB14 Corn Snake - Ceres
1.0.0 Labradoodle - Hero
Ant |
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Moppet
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3315 Posts |
Posted - 23/06/2014 : 23:14:10
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Sounds good 
I would always have a thermostat on a heat source in a corn snake viv though. Even if it is just to make sure that if the mat malfunctions, the thermostat will turn it off. Corn snakes don't do well with temperatures over 30 degrees, it can be harmful to them. That won't feel very warm to a person because our body temperature is higher than that anyway. It would be wise to have a thermostat on a heat mat, as well as a digital thermometer to monitor temperature. If it is too warm, the corn snake might not sit on the warm bit so wouldn't be able to digest properly. If it is too cool, it won't provide enough heat to digest. Best to play it safe and make sure the temperature is suitable |
2.4.0 Corn snakes
1.0.0 horse
0.1.0 Golden retriever
1.4.0 Guinea pigs |
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mrmagicpants
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
42 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2014 : 16:14:48
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I can only echo what has been said. Heat mats when used with a stat don't feel very warm.
From my own experience when the probes got knocked my mat spiked and I caught at about 38c while it was still rising.
As Moppet says, bets be safe than sorry and use a stat. They are invaluable to keeping the habitat at the right temps. |
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hayleylsl
Egg
United Kingdom
98 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2014 : 21:21:32
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Please get a thermostat- they are vital pieces of equipment even though many pet shops will tell you they are not needed they are essential for both your snakes safety and your homes safety.
Best of luck with your new setup. |
1.0.0 CB 12 Amel Motley- Boris
0.2.0 cats Grizabella and Jennyanydots
Foster cat: Jasper who has a healing broken pelvis |
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AntC
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
16 Posts |
Posted - 25/06/2014 : 09:33:39
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I have a new thermostat - I'm not going against the advice of all of you with so much more experience than me!
I have also bought a new heat mat because the old one I inherited with the viv seems to have suffered a bit and wouldn't lie flat. Should the heat mat be fixed to the viv floor? Being as the corn snake is a burrower, should I worry about it getting under the mat?
My plan to get one of my son's snake's offspring has failed as the eggs didn't hatch. So I am now on the look-out for a hatchling in Essex. Any ideas?
Also found out that the local Pets At Home that has just opened sells frozen mice, so that's good!
And lastly, does anyone know where I can get one of these?
It was cut like this to get the flex into the viv for the heat mat and covered in sticky tape. I've ditched the tape but the hole is an excellent way out for a small snake. I could repair it, but a new one would give more peace of mind! |
0.1.0 CB14 Corn Snake - Ceres
1.0.0 Labradoodle - Hero
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 25/06/2014 : 11:27:35
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I'm so glad you have got a new heatmat and a thermostat Ant  . The thermostat is such a vital piece of equipment, along with a digital thermometer to monitor the temperature inside the viv. Unfortunately so many places don't tell people they are need. My nearest reptile shop is adamant you don't need them  .
This thread will hopefully give you some tips on setting up your viv - http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10789
As far as fitting the heatmat to the floor, as you'll see in that thread some people do stick it down using something like aquarium sealant. Personally I haven't. Mine are just laid on the viv floors but I have put a piece of vinyl slate over them. That isn't necessary, it's just a personal choice. Some corns do work their way under the mat but as long as the mat is statted and the corn doesn't get trapped under it then it shouldn't be an issue.
I'm sorry about your son's old snake's clutch not hatching. We have a number of breeders who are members but I'm not sure who is near you. You could get one from further afield and use a reptile courier. Some places you could try are - http://www.procorns.co.uk , https://www.facebook.com/mnmreptiles , https://www.facebook.com/mjs.menajerie?fref=nf , https://www.facebook.com/pages/Punky-Corns/305980346087638?ref=profile , https://www.facebook.com/wildworldreptiles?sk=app_342349437729&filter=1and http://www.multicorn.info/available.htm , although they are more specialised. This is a list of members of our Facebook group who are sellers, some of whom I've mentioned already - https://www.facebook.com/notes/thecornsnakecouk/buyerseller-feedback/10151537301174278 I've probably made your life a lot harder, with all those lovely little hatchlings to choose from  .
No idea about the vent I'm afraid.
Xxx
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AntC
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
16 Posts |
Posted - 27/06/2014 : 17:00:35
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I've found a breeder quite local to me and am going to see her hatchlings on Sunday. I am going to keep the newcomer in a 9L RUB and use the mat and thermometer from the main vivarium, putting the RUB about half way along the mat. I have added small ventilation holes to the lid and sides of the box and plan to fill it with Aspen substrate and smaller versions of the things in the main viv. I shall have two thermometers and from the testing I have done, this seems to give a reasonable difference in temps at either end.
Can't send photos yet, can't find the camera! But, does this set up sound feasible? |
0.1.0 CB14 Corn Snake - Ceres
1.0.0 Labradoodle - Hero
Ant |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 29/06/2014 : 08:26:19
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It all sounds just right . You're lucky you've got a breeder so close, although that might be dangerous once the 'corn bug' has set in . One thing to be aware of is how much hatchlings change as they grow. If you know the morphs the breeder has available you can look them up here and see what they'll turn into - http://iansvivarium.com/morphs/species/elaphe_guttata/
I hope you find your camera soon!
Xxx
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AntC
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
16 Posts |
Posted - 29/06/2014 : 13:03:37
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Just as well Kellog, because the new member of the family has arrived! She hasn't got a name yet and, whilst I have now got the camera, you might have to wait a while before I take any photos to let her settle in to her new surroundings.
She is anery het amel x amel which I am beginning to understand, but only just beginning! She was born on 6 June and has had 7 feeds and two sheds in the meantime and is due a feed today, but I shall wait a day or so to let her settle in.
She is very actively investigating her surroundings and wondering where she can escape from, but I think I've got her pretty securely contained.
She is totally beautiful! |
0.1.0 CB14 Corn Snake - Ceres
1.0.0 Labradoodle - Hero
Ant |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2014 : 07:59:51
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So glad she's arrived safe and sound . Good luck with understanding morphs, I don't even try to  . I look forward to seeing photos of her once she's had her first feed and has settled in.
Personally I've always given my snakes a week to get used to their new home, without feeding or handling them. Then I've done the first feed, waited 48hrs for them to digest it and finally had my first handling session. I know it's delaying it but I feel it gives the snakes the best start possible.
Xxx
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AntC
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
16 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2014 : 09:18:03
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Thanks Kellog - good advice that appears on the forum many times and one that I am having difficulty in keeping to! I find I don't need to ask much because it has usually been asked before and which shows how excellent this forum is.
Unsurprisingly, she keeps to herself during the day time and becomes more active in the evening. She loves her egg box warm hide and coconut cool hide and certainly isn't displaying any signs of stress. I can see her RUB as I type this and all is quiet and temps are perfect for her.
I have decided that I am going to see whether I can get her used to feeding outside her RUB/viv and in a seperate RUB when the time comes. One question I do have over feeding is when is the best time to try it? Do you wake a snake up during the day or wait until it is awake in the evening? I imagine it's the latter because of their nocturnal nature. |
0.1.0 CB14 Corn Snake - Ceres
1.0.0 Labradoodle - Hero
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mrmagicpants
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
42 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2014 : 10:16:54
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quote:
Originally posted by AntC
I have decided that I am going to see whether I can get her used to feeding outside her RUB/viv and in a seperate RUB when the time comes. One question I do have over feeding is when is the best time to try it? Do you wake a snake up during the day or wait until it is awake in the evening? I imagine it's the latter because of their nocturnal nature.
I don't know if there is a best time.
I always feed around 5/6pm just happens to be when I get in from work and Linguene takes everytime.
Most times I have to take him from his hide. |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2014 : 15:52:43
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I'm glad she's settling in so well . People differ with when they feed their snakes and most often it tends to have to do with when it suits them. I think quite a few do feed in the evening but for me the morning is the best time. Invariably I have to get my snakes out of their hides as they spend most of their time during the day hidden away, except for breeding season where a couple of my adults seem active 24/7 !
Xxx
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Setting up a new vivarium.
