well my birthdays comin up and my snake shall benifiet!

[mtolypetsupply]

Robert,

I personally really like the waterfall idea. I would definitely inspect the waterfall to ensure that my snake couldn't get in the water intake/output holes, and would probably take a tiny piece of window screening and silicone that over the holes anyway. I don't think you need hydro balls with that waterfall set up. If you decide to make your own, I can offer some help on construction.

The sand is not a good idea. Besides, I don't know what kind of snake exactly you have, but I was under the impression that most garters live in areas that, while there may be a high sand component IN the soil, are not desert/sand. I would use a bark product if you're going for a natural look. The sand, if you don't take them out of their enclosure to eat, can also stick to the prey and cause an impaction in the snake.

How elaborate do you want your enclosure to be? The more elaborate, usually the more maintenance, and the more chances something can go wrong.

If you're using a typical glass tank, you can look for photos online, I recommend the site sxc.hu for free images. Find one you like in SUPER high res, then have it printed out big enough to trim and apply to the back of the tank. I did that for my first 10gal tank for my Florida Blue Easterns. This was the result:







Take into consideration tank placement, and whether you want to wrap the photo around the tank, when you're sizing it up. You can have them printed at Walmart or a pharmacy or other site and have them sent to your door.

Spend some of your budget on some nice fake plants, if you want easy maintenance. Mine have made several trips through the dishwasher and are none the worse for the wear.

Collect some branches, leaves and other dry items and bake them in the over to sterilize them. They're lots of fun for the snakes to play on/in and they look great.

The more you save on the tank decorations, the more you can spend on the tank and stand. The larger you can get for your snake, the better, in my opinion. My garters use every inch of the tank they can, including the lip around the top under the screen lid!

Best of luck with your baby's new home, and I'm looking forward to seeing pics!

[mustang]

Robert,

I personally really like the waterfall idea. I would definitely inspect the waterfall to ensure that my snake couldn't get in the water intake/output holes, and would probably take a tiny piece of window screening and silicone that over the holes anyway. I don't think you need hydro balls with that waterfall set up. If you decide to make your own, I can offer some help on construction.

The sand is not a good idea. Besides, I don't know what kind of snake exactly you have, but I was under the impression that most garters live in areas that, while there may be a high sand component IN the soil, are not desert/sand. I would use a bark product if you're going for a natural look. The sand, if you don't take them out of their enclosure to eat, can also stick to the prey and cause an impaction in the snake.

How elaborate do you want your enclosure to be? The more elaborate, usually the more maintenance, and the more chances something can go wrong.

If you're using a typical glass tank, you can look for photos online, I recommend the site sxc.hu for free images. Find one you like in SUPER high res, then have it printed out big enough to trim and apply to the back of the tank. I did that for my first 10gal tank for my Florida Blue Easterns. This was the result:







Take into consideration tank placement, and whether you want to wrap the photo around the tank, when you're sizing it up. You can have them printed at Walmart or a pharmacy or other site and have them sent to your door.

Spend some of your budget on some nice fake plants, if you want easy maintenance. Mine have made several trips through the dishwasher and are none the worse for the wear.

Collect some branches, leaves and other dry items and bake them in the over to sterilize them. They're lots of fun for the snakes to play on/in and they look great.

The more you save on the tank decorations, the more you can spend on the tank and stand. The larger you can get for your snake, the better, in my opinion. My garters use every inch of the tank they can, including the lip around the top under the screen lid!

Best of luck with your baby's new home, and I'm looking forward to seeing pics!

no way does ur snakes get stuck under lid like mine, mines like a cat and dosnt know how to get down and GREAT ideas