Thoughts on exo terra terrariums

[littlemay]

Hey, newbie here so go easy!

I've been looking into getting a snake for a while now, still very much in the research stage and not considering buying one for a while until i have all my info sorted. Anyway, I really have my heart set on a murray darling and have been scoping out the sort of enclosure i'll be needing for when it grows out of its click-clack.

My partner's pretty handy so i was thinking of coercing him into converting a cabinet for me, however today i was offered a brand new 45 x 45 x 60 cm exo terra habitat kit for free (friends in high places). Obviously this is too small for an adult but i suppose it would go all right for a python straight out of a click-clack?

Apart from that, i don't know if i actually even want it; the thermometer and Hygromometer look pretty rubbish so i'd have to replace those and i'm worried about losing heat through the glass... Has anyone had any experience with these? If so, how did you go with your heating? I don't want to bother if it's just going to cause problems.

Cheers,

Anna

 

[Seb84]

i would just take it if it was offered for free.
it just means when the md grows out of it you will have room for another python
it's a win/win situation

 

[littlemay]

I guess if it turns out to be rubbish i could always flog it off to help pay for something better

 

[Seb84]

yep, was the person your getting it off have any reptiles in it?
just make sure its escape proof

 

[kawasakirider]

Exo terras are escape proof. I really like mine, I don't like the amount of money they charge for them, however.

That's what I do during winter to keep it warm. In the summer months it's fine. It would depend where you live, too. In winter it gets to about 3 degrees in the room where the snakes are kept.

 

[littlemay]

Nah, it's still in the box, would have to go over it for gaps. Still worried about using it though, after reading through these forums a bit it seems that they're not really ideal.

 

[kawasakirider]

I'm doing a mini DIY project on it now, just waiting for some sealant to set. You don't need to go over it for gaps, as long as you lock it, a snake won't get out.

 

[Seb84]

I'll take it if you don't want it

 

[littlemay]

@kawasakirider, good to know you've had sucess with yours, my place is pretty well insulated so it doesn't get that cold here. What's that you have next to your red lamp, it looks like a bowl?

@seb84, lol, i'll keep you posted

 

[kawasakirider]

Yeah it's a bowl, I put it on top of the mesh to stop the hot air escaping (there's still enough air flow through the enclosure of course) during winter

I like it better during the other seasons, when I don't have to wrap it up. Anyone coming in and seeing a heat lamp and UV inside a hidden box would probably think I was growing. The house I'm renting is an old QLD'er and part of the verandah has been turned into an ensuite, but the walls are thin and there is no insulation in the whole house. I keep them in the ensuite/walk in room.

I'll be moving within the next 6 months hopefully.

 

[Chris1]

i have a young darwin in 1 of them atm,...its working well, dome light on top, no worries about overheating since the heat escapes straight out the top,..

i think im using a 60W red lamp and her basking branch is between 30 and 35,.....

i had golden tailed geckos in it before, not even they managed to escape, and theyre tiny!!

 

[Amazing Amazon]

Good quality Heat Cord or Heat mat connected to a thermostat covering 1/3 of the base with a small heat lamp up top works great for us in Exo terra Terrariums.
Paul

 

[SamNabz]

I love Exo-terra tanks, can't recommend them enough; however, only for dragons, geckos and lizards.

I do not recommend you get one to house a snake in as glass doesn't hold heat very well. As you can see in kawasakirider's pics, the trouble he has to go through to keep temps up in the colder months (not to mention that it's not very appealing when covered), you're much better off getting a wooden enclosure with glass sliding doors; especially with this being your first snake...

P.S you're pretty lucky to score something like that for free, pretty sure that size tank fetches $260 or there abouts for the tank and background only. I was lucky enough to get one for $50 just a few days ago in perfect condition.

 

[Jen]

You can always put gex in it....
Kawasakirider, would you be better off taping thick styro to the outside instead of a blanket?

 

[littlemay]

Hm, i guess i should just be opportunistic and take it, might just end up selling it or keeping it for a later venture. Cheers for all the replies, very helpful!

 

[kawasakirider]

My enclosure is situated in a room that gets down below 3 degrees at night. I bet I'd have to wrap any enclosure up regardless of what it was.

The tank is usually uncovered and holds heat fine, with the heat lamp not being on too often, it's just this house and -2 degrees outside makes things chilly.

It's a $500 odd enclosure for free, just grab it. If you don't want it, I'll have it haha.

 

[SamNabz]

My enclosure is situated in a room that gets down below 3 degrees at night. I bet I'd have to wrap any enclosure up regardless of what it was.

Not true at all mate. If you had a melamine enclosure set up correctly, there would be absolutely no need to cover it.

 

[kawasakirider]

We'll see tonight, I've got them in a wooden (granted not melamine, but still wood) enclosure at the moment because I'm changing up the exo-terra. Mightn't work as well as melamine though, as it's not as thick.

 

[GeckoGuy]

My experience with exo terra enclosures has been a good one indeed.I think they are well made, high quality display tanks and depending on where you live would make a nice enclosure for a growing python .You will definitely use it over and over again as a fellow herp enthusiast .

 

[nakerz_the_herp]

These terrariums are great. I had my spotted in one for a few years and now I have my frog in it and will probably use it again and again in the future. They are amazing tanks.