A few general Enclosure and Accessory questions

[Volksdragon]

One, would a 20gl long suffice? I've heard it does and I've heard it doesn't from different places.

Also, are those little round stick-on thermometers and humidity gauges accurate enough for a garter? Again, I've heard yes and no from different places.

And, do your garters tend to climb a lot? I mean, like on higher branches and things. Or do they generally stay grounded?

That's it for now, but I'm likely to have more soon when I start making lists and things.

[drache]

a 20G long should be fine for a garter
I have three in a 29G and that's got the same footprint.
mine are not fully grown and they will get to move pretty soon, but you're talking one snake, right?
of course more is better
my garters love to hang out on branches
although I keep my cages pretty minimal in other ways, I always give them branches to hang out on
it has the added advantage that I don't have to be so exact with the temps because they can pick how close they get to the heat
with the thermometers, I don't know either
people have their favourites
I haven't found a thermometer that I absolutely trust to be accurate within my price range
when you buy, look at all the ones they have in the store and pick the one which has the average temp of all of them (does that make sense?)

[boeh]

I actually don't understand what you mean with 20G / 20gl. G (gl) = gallon? I only know gallon as a cubic measure. What would that give as a square measure? My terrariums are 48x23x23 inch (lengthXwidthxheight).

Cyrill

[stonyloam]

Hi Cyrll: We often talk about aquarium size by volume (US gal.), because it has been pretty much standardized over the Years. Probably because they can be very heavy and need a sturdy (often steel) tank stand and having standardized dimensions for tanks makes it easier for the manufacturers. I put together a little table below. The weights are for a tank filled with water. When you go to the shop you can just ask for a "20 gal long" and know that you will get a 30x12x12 tank and it will fit a "20 gal long" stand. Hope this helps a little.

2.5 gallon............. 12" x 6" x 8" .......27 lbs
5 gallon ................16" x 8" x 10"..... 62 lbs
10 gallon Leader ....20" x 10" x 12" ..111 lb
15 gallon ...............24" x 12" x 12" ..170 lbs
15 gallon High ........20" x 10" x 18" ..170 lbs
20 gallon High ....24" x 12" x 16" ..225 lbs
20 gallon Long ........30" x 12" x 12" ..225 lbs
25 gallon ................24" x 12" x 20" ..282 lbs
29 gallon ................30" x 12" x 18".. 330 lbs
30 gallon Breeder ....36" x 18" x 12" ..348 lbs
40 gallon Breeder.....36" x 18" x 16" ..458 lbs
40 gallon Long ........48" x 12" x 16" ..455 lbs
50 gallon ................36" x 18" x 19" ..600 lbs
55 gallon ................48" x 13" x 21" ..625 lbs
65 gallon ................36" x 18" x 24" ..772 lbs
75 gallon ................48" x 18" x 21".. 850 lbs
90 gallon ................48" x 18" x 24" ..1050 lbs
125 gallon.............. 72" x 18" x 21" ..1400 lbs
150 gallon ..............72" x 18" x 28" ..1800 lbs
180 Gallon.............. 72" x 24" x 25" ..2100 lbs

[Cazador]

Terry,
Thanks for putting together that table. It's a very nice resource. I might even paste it into the articles section if you don't mind.

Vondell,
Those round stick-on type thermometers and hygrometers are definitely better than having nothing. They'll give you a general feel for the conditions in your enclosure, but they're not very accurate. When you're ready to spend a bit more money, the first thing to upgrade is the thermometer. It's hard to beat the digital thermometers that have a 24 hour high/low memory. They're about $25-30 from Wal Mart or similar store. Some even have a digital temperature and humidity gauge for about $40 (if I remember correctly).

In short, I'm saying that the round analog thermometers are very disappointing. The humidity doesn't need to be regulated quite as precisely, so the round hygrometers are okay.

Rick

[Thamnophis]

Now I understand what is meant with gallons...

[stonyloam]

Thanks Rick: It only took four tries to get it to post it in a readable form. You (and anyone else) may use the table as you wish.

As for thermometers, I use a Taylor instruments instant read digital cooking thermometer (bought at the grocery store for $10) whenever I need a local temperature reading (snow, water, even cooking). Digital readout, battery lasts a long time, 0.2 F precision and seems to be pretty accurate:
Glass of ice water…………...32.5 F
Body Temp oral ……………95.5 F
BT medical thermometer….....96.0 F (I tend to run a little cool)
It has a long probe so you can read down in the substrate and water temps. It is probably accurate enough to calibrate your other thermometers.

BTW did you know that a thermocline will form in a glass of unstirred ice water? 32 (0C) at the top and 40 (4C) at the bottom? Nice piece of semi useless information.

[boeh]

Hi Terry

Thanks a lot for this list. Like Thamnophis, I understand know what you mean with gallons. We also use volumes for aquariums, but don't use them for terrariums.

Cyrill

[Volksdragon]

Thanks. Yeah, I'm talking one garter for now.

How much do 20gallon tanks cost at Wal-Mart, if anyone knows? If not, I'll check next time I go.

[stonyloam]

Volksdragon: check out the local paper or better yet swap sheet. There are many good used aquariums out there, lots of people will give them away for free if you come and get them. Good luck!