Transforming Fish Tank to Viv

fatratsandcheesekk · #1 (**permalink**) 05-23-2008, 03:52 AM

hi im just about to buy a new fish tank and was thinking of transforming the old tank into a viv for my corn snake for when he gets older its a fluval tank with about a 1cm gap from the bottom of the tank to the the stand would this work with putting a heat mat underneath and a background on and posibly a fishtank style backround on the sides

thanks

Waterkeeper · #2 (**permalink**) 05-23-2008, 10:29 PM

Welcome!

Basically that's what most of us are doing is using a fish aquarium as the basis for our terrarium. search around the threads here and you will see lots of posts that will give you some good ideas.

personally I'm not a big fan of heat mats, or rocks.. they are less than easy to monitor or control. Lighting is usually the best source for heat in a snake tank.
I would do lots of homework on the natural environment of a corn snake and try my best to duplicate it. ie: temperature, humidity, ground cover etc..

johnsmith753 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 07:18 AM

One of the problems many novices face is that they currently have a 29-gallon tall tank with a mirrored back that’s full of about 60 African cichlids. The tank has been going well for them, and now they are ready to move on to saltwater fish.
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johnsmith

Aquarium supplies

Waterkeeper · #4 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 09:33 AM

Quote:

johnsmith753 One of the problems many novices face is that they currently have a 29-gallon tall tank with a mirrored back that’s full of about 60 African cichlids. The tank has been going well for them, and now they are ready to move on to saltwater fish.

LOL>.......

I agree, but where the hell did that come from???

froggsong · #5 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 05:34 PM

Actually, Waterkeeper, many knowledgeable snake keepers say that heat mats are MUCH preferred over lights, because most snakes need belly heat rather than basking heat (as in lights). Heat rocks are definitely a no-no though! I am doing well for my BP with just lights, but it is more difficult to maintain humidity (which I don't think is quite as important for corns).

I don't know much about the corns because I decided on a BP instead, but generally it is not recommended to keep snakes in vivaria, as they will slither over plants (crushing them) and having a substrate wet enough to maintain plants can cause belly rot. Even if you decide not to use real plants, you can still do the background (it will help to hold in heat). I would recommend doing the sides the same way as the background, sortof have it wrap around the three walls leaving only the front exposed (if using GS, do the back and let it cure and then the sides so you don't shatter the glass).

That is probably not enough space for the UTH, but most come with little plastic feet to stick on the corners of the tank to raise it so the glass doesn't crack due to the heat. If your heater doesn't come with them, you can buy the feet at walmart. If using an UTH, you need to have it on a thermostat, unless the temperatures in the room the tank is in do not fluctuate throughout the day more than a degree or two. If the temps don't fluctuate, you can use a rheostat. You MUST have it on some sort of control though, which you probably know since you already have the snake.

One other important question is: What are the dimensions of the tank (LxWxH)? This is very important in determining how to set up the tank and whether it will be large enough for your snake.

You could PROBABLY get away with planting some tall grasses in the tank, I believe that is natural for the corns, and they will likely slither THROUGH, rather than OVER, the grasses.

baileyjames6 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 10:37 PM

I have actually had a corn snake for about 12 years now. I definitely used a heat pad but if you want to use a light a basking light could be okay in a certain spot as well as regular lights. The biggest thing to remember is that without the proper heating the snake will not be able to digest it's food correctly. I know it is a little disgusting but the best way to tell if you have the proper heating is by looking how things come out when the snake goes to the bathroom. If you can still see somthing that could be recognized as a mouse after a movement then things are not being heated properly.