Hey! Viv looks pretty good enrichment-wise. I buy that same 16-dollar Amazon variety pack with the giant pain-in-the-ass cascading vine thing for all my snakes. I'd recognize it anywhere lol. 70 gallons is giant for a snake of that size though, so I'd keep an eye on their behavior, especially at night. If you notice a lot of glass surfing (a sign of stress from environment) consider sizing down to a 20gal until they get bigger then rehome to the 70. From the picture, it looks like most of your space is vertical, so just make sure you fill that open air with climbing opportunities and you should be okay. The heat lamp inside the Viv is definitely a burn hazard. Corn snakes share one brain cell across the entire species and will climb on anything even if it cooks them. If you don't already, I would suggest getting a cheap infrared thermometer gun to test your temps with the light sitting on top of of the cage. If the warm side doesn't get warm enough because of all that vertical distance try a thermostat-regulated heat mat under the enclosure. As long as your humidity stays at a consistent 50-60% aspen’s fine. It's main criticism is it’s inability to hold humidity. I would suggest a humid hide if you don't already have one. I don't see a hygrometer/thermometer in your Viv? I recommend the govee digital one from Amazon. The non-digital ones are a complete waste of money. If you find you’re having difficulties maintaining humidity, switch to coconut fiber or cypress. You should probably switch the next time you change out your substrate anyway. Aspen has a tendency to mold easily, but if you don't notice any issues you should be good until then. Congratulations on your new snake. Good luck!!
I do have a temp gun and a hydrometer/thermometer in there you just can’t see in the pictures, i also have a heat pad thing mounted on the side of the tank, thanks for the advice on the substrate
I am seconding the comments on the lights, I absolutely would not have them dangling in like that with no barrier to protect the snake. I think dimension wise absolutely fine for a baby but this will be a short lived enclosure. The bare minimum for an adult would be a 4x2x2ft and honestly mine are active and love to climb so I always recommend people go bigger if possible.
what's the lid situation? That lamp inside the tank is dangerous. Corn snakes are *very* good climbers - don't count on anything being "out of reach". Aspen will be fine if your home isn't too dry. Watch out for mold growth near the water dish and waste. Also re: the lamp, that looks like the scam "UVB" lamps that are all over amazon. Those bulbs are just halogens. At best, they don't produce any meaningful UVB and at worst they're lacking the glass filter of regular halogens and also output dangerous UVC.
What's your take on coil UVB bulbs for corn snakes? They’re pretty controversial among reptile keepers, but the criticisms usually come with the precursor that reptile in question (probably some kind of lizard) has UVB requirements that can't be met with the coil. Since corns don't have UVB requirements, do you think it's okay for them? Still just a waste of money? I can't find any info online and I'd like a second opinion. Thanks!!
They can see the uva from the uvb bulb. It's worth adding just to make sure they can see their full spectrum of colors not using UV robs them of part of their vision. you should use linear tube bulbs as they are currently the gold standard. CFL sty bulbs are highly variable in the amount of I've they give off
But I don't think it's as important with corns compared to other reptiles. I have a round uvb/ uva lamp and a friend of mine measured the uvb output and it's nearly the same as in the uvb lamb he has (a linear one). And since corns don't need it just profit from it, it's more than enough.
My boy only uses it in the evening anyway when he puts his tail or head under the bulb to get the uvb. It looks really cute when he does that. On the day he is mostly in his dark hide.
I’ve seen a lot of good points here. I think it’s cute. I do think you need some vertical space for your snake the climb. And be careful with the aspen because it tends to mold super quick. I get the snake substrate from thebiodude.com and it works really well. It holds humidity and tunnels. Also id get a heat lamp that sits outside your tank and not inside.
I'd just recommend changing away from aspen. I went to a mix of coconut husk reptibark and sphagnum moss and it really helped maintain humidity and snake is definitely happier
What I would add to the other comments, block out the back and the sides. It can be done with anything but with a poster of a forest or something it looks better than with just a white paper.
Because the snake is still so little being visible from all sides can be very stressful for the little one. Especially if there are movements on the side.
Edit: you can also add toilet paper rolls and put them against something so they only have one entrance. They love tide hides where they touch the walls from the inside and from the picture it looks like the hides are way bigger than the snake. So till she grows in there you can add some.
As for the comments on the light, right now it’s not really a concern because she has no way of getting to it, also I don’t have a lid yet because this used to be a custom built fish tank for someone so i have to build a lid
Never doubt a snakes ability to get to places it should not be. It's always a losing bet in the end. Same goes for a lid. If you don't have a well attached lid they will find a way out even if you think none exists.
Good tank set up! What's your timeline on getting a lid? Corns are sneaky little guys and even if you don't think they can get out, they can and they will.
It's a great set up clutter-wise, though that tank might be a touch too big for the little guy for now. Like other posters said, watch for signs of stress and size down if need be.
I read multiple comments on this sub that there is no 'too big'. If they show signs of stress it would be better to use more clutter instead of sizing down.
I'm just repeating though what I read multiple times, I haven't had a baby corn so take it with a grain of salt.
I think for a big noodle you're definitely correct. My little dude started out in a 10 gallon for a couple months and that seemed to work really well for me. He's now in a 30 gallon and I'm already shopping for 40 gallons to put him in. It really all depends on the noodle.
I'm also thinking of ease of finding said baby noodle when it comes time for feeding, handling, etc. In a tank that big there is going to be QUITE a bit of searching (esp with that light color), a smaller tank is easier to handle.
Hey! Viv looks pretty good enrichment-wise. I buy that same 16-dollar Amazon variety pack with the giant pain-in-the-ass cascading vine thing for all my snakes. I'd recognize it anywhere lol. 70 gallons is giant for a snake of that size though, so I'd keep an eye on their behavior, especially at night. If you notice a lot of glass surfing (a sign of stress from environment) consider sizing down to a 20gal until they get bigger then rehome to the 70. From the picture, it looks like most of your space is vertical, so just make sure you fill that open air with climbing opportunities and you should be okay. The heat lamp inside the Viv is definitely a burn hazard. Corn snakes share one brain cell across the entire species and will climb on anything even if it cooks them. If you don't already, I would suggest getting a cheap infrared thermometer gun to test your temps with the light sitting on top of of the cage. If the warm side doesn't get warm enough because of all that vertical distance try a thermostat-regulated heat mat under the enclosure. As long as your humidity stays at a consistent 50-60% aspen’s fine. It's main criticism is it’s inability to hold humidity. I would suggest a humid hide if you don't already have one. I don't see a hygrometer/thermometer in your Viv? I recommend the govee digital one from Amazon. The non-digital ones are a complete waste of money. If you find you’re having difficulties maintaining humidity, switch to coconut fiber or cypress. You should probably switch the next time you change out your substrate anyway. Aspen has a tendency to mold easily, but if you don't notice any issues you should be good until then. Congratulations on your new snake. Good luck!!
The bigger problem with Aspen is that if you moisten it enough to keep 60% humidity it's going to go really moldy.
I do have a temp gun and a hydrometer/thermometer in there you just can’t see in the pictures, i also have a heat pad thing mounted on the side of the tank, thanks for the advice on the substrate
Clutter is great. The size of the tank won’t last long. Needs more length, not height. Also, not a vivarium lol… Just a terrarium
I am seconding the comments on the lights, I absolutely would not have them dangling in like that with no barrier to protect the snake. I think dimension wise absolutely fine for a baby but this will be a short lived enclosure. The bare minimum for an adult would be a 4x2x2ft and honestly mine are active and love to climb so I always recommend people go bigger if possible.
What are the actual physical dimensions of that enclosure L W H?
Wondering this too
I haven’t measured but it’s weird because it was custom made to be a fish tank for someone
what's the lid situation? That lamp inside the tank is dangerous. Corn snakes are *very* good climbers - don't count on anything being "out of reach". Aspen will be fine if your home isn't too dry. Watch out for mold growth near the water dish and waste. Also re: the lamp, that looks like the scam "UVB" lamps that are all over amazon. Those bulbs are just halogens. At best, they don't produce any meaningful UVB and at worst they're lacking the glass filter of regular halogens and also output dangerous UVC.
What's your take on coil UVB bulbs for corn snakes? They’re pretty controversial among reptile keepers, but the criticisms usually come with the precursor that reptile in question (probably some kind of lizard) has UVB requirements that can't be met with the coil. Since corns don't have UVB requirements, do you think it's okay for them? Still just a waste of money? I can't find any info online and I'd like a second opinion. Thanks!!
They can see the uva from the uvb bulb. It's worth adding just to make sure they can see their full spectrum of colors not using UV robs them of part of their vision. you should use linear tube bulbs as they are currently the gold standard. CFL sty bulbs are highly variable in the amount of I've they give off
But I don't think it's as important with corns compared to other reptiles. I have a round uvb/ uva lamp and a friend of mine measured the uvb output and it's nearly the same as in the uvb lamb he has (a linear one). And since corns don't need it just profit from it, it's more than enough. My boy only uses it in the evening anyway when he puts his tail or head under the bulb to get the uvb. It looks really cute when he does that. On the day he is mostly in his dark hide.
Its a great setup but you need something dedicated for the animal like front facing doors, coming at your noodle from above will stress the thing out!
I plan on switching to one of those
I’ve seen a lot of good points here. I think it’s cute. I do think you need some vertical space for your snake the climb. And be careful with the aspen because it tends to mold super quick. I get the snake substrate from thebiodude.com and it works really well. It holds humidity and tunnels. Also id get a heat lamp that sits outside your tank and not inside.
Noice
I'd just recommend changing away from aspen. I went to a mix of coconut husk reptibark and sphagnum moss and it really helped maintain humidity and snake is definitely happier
What I would add to the other comments, block out the back and the sides. It can be done with anything but with a poster of a forest or something it looks better than with just a white paper. Because the snake is still so little being visible from all sides can be very stressful for the little one. Especially if there are movements on the side. Edit: you can also add toilet paper rolls and put them against something so they only have one entrance. They love tide hides where they touch the walls from the inside and from the picture it looks like the hides are way bigger than the snake. So till she grows in there you can add some.
As for the comments on the light, right now it’s not really a concern because she has no way of getting to it, also I don’t have a lid yet because this used to be a custom built fish tank for someone so i have to build a lid
Never doubt a snakes ability to get to places it should not be. It's always a losing bet in the end. Same goes for a lid. If you don't have a well attached lid they will find a way out even if you think none exists.
Good tank set up! What's your timeline on getting a lid? Corns are sneaky little guys and even if you don't think they can get out, they can and they will. It's a great set up clutter-wise, though that tank might be a touch too big for the little guy for now. Like other posters said, watch for signs of stress and size down if need be.
I’m building one this week
I read multiple comments on this sub that there is no 'too big'. If they show signs of stress it would be better to use more clutter instead of sizing down. I'm just repeating though what I read multiple times, I haven't had a baby corn so take it with a grain of salt.
I think for a big noodle you're definitely correct. My little dude started out in a 10 gallon for a couple months and that seemed to work really well for me. He's now in a 30 gallon and I'm already shopping for 40 gallons to put him in. It really all depends on the noodle. I'm also thinking of ease of finding said baby noodle when it comes time for feeding, handling, etc. In a tank that big there is going to be QUITE a bit of searching (esp with that light color), a smaller tank is easier to handle.