Setting Up A Hatchling Corn Snake - My 101
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Topic URL: http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9878
Printed on: 10/08/2025
Topic:
Topic author: LittleMick
Subject: Setting Up A Hatchling Corn Snake - My 101
Posted on: 30/05/2010 21:42:48
Message:
Hi all, not sure if this is worthy of a sticky but I thought I would post a guide to help other new comers set up their snake enclosures. Although I have only had my Corn Snake for 8 months I would like to think I have successfully set mine up and that my snakey is a happy snake. I will continue the guide in my second post so that I am able to edit it if necessary.
Replies:
Reply author: LittleMick
Replied on: 30/05/2010 21:43:37
Message:
First off, this is NOT a 'must do it this way' guide. There are many ways of setting up enclosures as the members of this forum can point out and show.
A word to the wise, always give sufficient time between setting up your animal enclosure and buying your animal
PRE OWNER QUESTIONs & ANSWERS
The following links are threads I posted asking lots of questions before I bought my setup including an equipment list. The second link will be more useful as it is the revised buying list.
My Original Buying List
My Revised Buying List
The general care and keeping of a corn snake can be found on our care sheet at the following link:
http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/corn_snake_care_sheet.htm
To start with here is a pic of my equipment
1. Polystyrene Tile (optional)
2. Aspen Bedding (or other substrate)
3. Exo Terra Large Flat Faunarium 18" x 12" x 7 1/2"
4. Small Animal/Fish Tank (optional)
5. Mat Stat
6. Exo Terra Snake Cave Medium
7. Exo Terra Hide Small
8. Exo Terra Water Bowl
9. Exo Terra Digital Thermometer (2 would be better)
10. Exo Terra Boston Fern Small (optional)
11. Heat Mat 11" x 6" 7w
12. Sphagnum Moss
13. Exo Terra Silk Vine Small (optional)
I bought my setup from 888 Reptiles, here is the direct link to their hatchling setup
http://www.888reptiles.co.uk/productdetails.php?ProductID=2623&ProductGroupID=1287
I bought mine for £59 after I made alterations. Some of the equipment is now made by different manufacturers than when I bought it. The alterations I made were as follows
- remove 1 x Small Hide (I already had a snake cave)
- change strip thermometer for a digital thermometer (2 would be better)
You'll notice that some of the equipment on my setup pic are not included in the 888 set up, these are just little extras I bought for Elijah to make his life more comfortable. The specs of equipment I have used will be in brackets and red.
HOW TO SET IT ALL UP
1. I put the Polystyrene Tile as optional, this is only used if you are having trouble keeping the heat up on the warm side. Some people use tin foil and some use blankets. I use polystyrene as this is a good insulator. So, lay the Polystyrene Tile (18" x 12" x 3/4") on the flat surface where you plan on keeping the enclosure.
2. Place the Heat Mat (Komodo Heat Mat 11" x 6" 7w) at one end of the poly tile. Size guide for the heat mat is, the heat mat should cover 1/3 to 1/2 of the floor of the enclosure.
3. Place the Faunarium (Exo Terra Large Flat 18" x 12" x 7 1/2") on top of the poly tile, with the heat mat at one end.
You can tape the heat mat to the poly tile or you can keep it in place by using the feet on the faunarium as shown below
You'll notice that there is a gap between the heat mat and the bottom of the faun, the purpose for this gap is to allow air flow. There have been reports that especially on glass tanks, if there is no air gap to allow air flow the glass/plastic can crack if the heat mat is in direct contact. This theory is open to discussion.
4. Place your substrate in the bottom of the faun. I used Aspen/Hemp bedding. But the choice is yours, some people use paper towels, newspaper or wood chip. The reason I chose Aspen is because corn snakes like burrowing and Aspen seems to hold well. For more options on substrates please visit the caresheet. If you are using a particulated substrate (Apen/Wood Chip) you must also be aware of the risks of IMPACTION, animals eating substances they cannot digest properly causing intestinal problems and possibly death. You should be more aware of this fact if you plan on feeding your snake in its enclosure. When putting your particulated substrate in the faun, have a nice thick layer 1"+ at the cool end, then a thin layer at the warm end especially under the hide. In the image below you can still see the heat mat through the substrate.
5. Take the plug of the heat mat and plug it into the socket of the Mat Stat (Habistat Mat Stat 100).
6. Now you need to drill a hole in one corner of the lid of the Faun, this is to allow the Stat Sensor Probe to go through into the faun. Use a drill bit that is the same diameter as the stat sensor probe and you are better off hand drilling for more control.
Be careful which end you drill your hole. As you can see in the image below I drilled the hole at the same end as the large hatch, I should have drilled it at the same end as the small hatch.
Why is this important? Well, its not an issue it just means I am using more of the cable length than necessary. As I wanted to be able to get the water bowl out through the large hatch without opening the whole faun, the large hatch needed to be at the cool end where the water is.
7. Thread the Stat Sensor Probe through the hole you just drilled from the outside to the inside.
You'll notice that although the probe is the same diameter as the hole in the lid, the Stat Probe cable is actually smaller than the hole, ummm, possibility of escape?!?! So, what I did is roll some paper round the cable and wrap tape around it so it doesn't come loose. Be careful when using tape, if the sticky side of the tape is showing then snakey might get stuck on it and cause skin problems. So make sure that the tape is folded in on itself and stuck firmly to the paper. You can then slide the paper plug into the hole making it impossible for snakey to escape. You could also use something like a rubber grommet used in cars and such, to hold cables in place when passing through the bodywork.
8. Run the Stat Sensor Probe cable to the warm end of the faun and place it over the centre of the heat mat or where the hide will go.
As you saw in the above image if I had drilled the hole in the lid at the correct end I would use less cable inside the faun.
9. To hold the cable in place I used a sucker, the ones that are used for holding air/heater cables in fish tanks.
EDITED BY ME - You can get the suckers from any aquarium store I use these:
seapets.co.uk
Another couple of links are:
warehouse-aquatics.co.uk
Online Aquarium Store
10. Thread the sensor probe of your Digital Thermometer (Exo Terra Digital Thermometer) through one of the small holes in the top of the lid of the faun.
11. Using an elastic band, laggy the Stat Probe and Thermometer Probe together. This is so that both of them read temperatures from the same spot.
12. Using a small flat headed screwdriver, or similar tool, set the dial on the stat to the temperature you require. 29c is a good starting point although you will find you will change this once everything is up and running.
13. Now place one of your hides (Exo Terra Small Hide) at the warm end above the heat mat. I used the Exo hide and not the snake cave for this end as it has no bottom so snakey can get closer to the heat while giving him some cover for security.
14. Place the other hide (Exo Terra Snake Cave Medium) at the cool end of the faun, because of my mistake with drilling the hole at the wrong end I used the cave to hold down the stat cable. If you want you can place some bedding in the cave.
15. Place the water dish at the cool end of the faun. Don't place the water dish at the warm end as this might affect the humidity of the enclosure. Now you can see why I wanted the large hatch at the cool end.
16. This step is optional, you could get away with what we have just gone through above, but to give your snake some security you can give it some cover. I chose an Exo Terra Silk Vine, this is suckered to one of the long sides so Elijah can get from the cool end to the warm end in safety.
17. Again. this step is optional, but as corn snakes are semi arboreal (climbers) I put an Exo Terra Boston Fern in the centre of the faun. This gives Elijah a little more cover and something to climb on. You will have to bend the branches to fit it in the faun.
18. Now it's time to switch everything on. Plug the Stat mains plug into the electrical supply, the power light should come on and if the Stat has a heat light that should come on as well. Monitor the temperature on the thermometer. You will find that the dial on some stats are inaccurate, as you can see by the dial on my stat, it is set to 25-26c, but my temps according to the thermometer are 29c.
Ignore what the temp reading says in the image above as I was moving equipment about so it was all warming up again. Just alter the stat dial until you get the correct reading on the thermometer. There is a topic about stat dials and temperature reading clashes here:
http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7617
19. Now the setup is ready and you can put snakey in.
A NOTE ON SHEDDING
You may have noticed that in my setup pic I had some sphagnum moss. Well you don't need to use this until your snake goes to shed, you may not even need to use it at all. Elijah had 2 sheds without using it, although these sheds did come off in 2 pieces, breaking in 2 at the vent. But when you notice your snakes eyes are blue (coming into shed) you can put a humid hide in the enclosure to raise the humidity, snakey might even stay in the hide for a day or so until he is ready to shed. You can use anything for a hide, buy one or make one. The image below shows my Leopard Geckos hide. Made from an old curry tub, with a hole cut into it. The edges filed smoother and either taped or silicone coated to protect the animal from abrasions. Please be aware when using tape. On my snakes humid hide I don't use tape, I just use a washed out coffee mate jar with no lid on it.
Another method of raising humidity is to move the water dish to the warm end of the faun.
Storing your sphagnum moss
The bags of moss usually come all in one pack and you won't use it all in one session, to stop it drying out split it up into smaller portions, put them into sealable freezer bags and keep them stored in a freezer, this will stop any spread of bacteria.
A NOTE ON FEEDING, WEIGHING & MEASURING
You can feed your snake either in the enclosure or in a separate feeding tank. I do both. If you do feed in the enclosure and are using a particulate substrate, please please be aware of the risks of impaction and use a feeding dish, carpet tile, paper towel or similar material. Place the prey item on this then snakey can eat in safety. Also make sure that the material used is large enough to make sure that if the snake flips the prey about it stays within the bounds of the feeding aid. I use a feeding dish (Zoomed).
What Size Prey Do I Feed My Snake?
There is a size guide here that you can use:
http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7003
BUT! This is only a guide, it will depend on your snake. The general rule of thumb is, that if there is no bump showing in the snakes body after feeding then it's time to upgrade, but the prey item should be no more than 1.5 x the size of the widest part of the snakes body, near the middle.
WEIGHING & MEASURING
Now your snake is happy in his/her home and feeding well you want to keep track of how well it is doing and how big it is getting.
Another item not mentioned in the previous steps is the Feeding/Holding Tank. I use a small animal/fish tank. Elijah goes in here if I am doing any maintenance on his faun, or I want to weigh, measure or feed him.
The box cost about £6. To measure and weigh him I use some digital kitchen scales from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Salter-Design-Electronic-Platform-Kitchen/dp/B000ZNM51O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen&qid=1275249192&sr=8-1
and a 6" ruler from any stationary store. You can use a snake measuring tool called, surprisingly Snake Measurer. You can download it here
http://www.serpwidgets.com/Apps/measure.html
Set up your scales, lay a piece of white A4 paper over them, place the box on them, place the ruler in the box. Turn the scales on so the combined weight is set to 0g. Put snakey in the box, record weight. Now take a photo from above.
Use this photo in the snake measuring program to get his length.
SNAKE RECORDS
Although it is NOT compulsory, it is handy to keep records, just in case you want help from other members, vets, if you want to breed and such. So you may want to keep the following records
- Age of snake
- Date of purchase
- Date of feeding including size and weight of prey
- Date of shedding
- Weight at time of feeding
- Length at time of feeding
- Problems or comments
Well, that's my 101 finished, sorry it was so long. I hope you enjoyed it and found it informative. Don't forget this is only one way of how to set up a hatchling corn snake.
Feel free to ask any questions about it, or if you think I have left something out or want to offer up any alternatives then go ahead.
If you want some inspiration from other members you can view their setups here
http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6324
If you think I have done it wrong then check this out
Now if that isn't a happy snake I don't know what is
Happy Herping
LittleMick
EDITED LATER BY ME TO CORRECT SPELLING AND ADD A COUPLE OF Q's
WHY DON'T I JUST BUY THE LARGER ENCLOSURE STRAIGHT AWAY?
Well...... you could do, this is another topic open to discussion. You can find a thread on this here:
http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5895
Personally I think it's not the size of the enclosure that may cause issues it's the amount of cover it has or hasn't got. BUT! As the snakes welfare is my primary concern, better safe than sorry and go for the smaller option. When my snake goes into his bigger home I can still use ALL of the internal decoration in the larger viv, then all I have to do is add larger hides as he grows and just add a few bits of plants or whatever as and when I want.
SHOULD I JUST GET A BIG HIDE TO SAVE UPGRADING?
This was asked recently, the same principles apply, security, imagine yourself being put into a large room in total darkness, feel those hairs on the back of your neck stand on end? Now get thrown into a corridor that isn't much wider than your arms spread out, you can feel the sides. This applies to snakes as well, the snake should be able to feel the sides of its hide when coiled up and this makes it feel more secure.
Reply author: col654
Replied on: 30/05/2010 21:50:15
Message:
Nice post M8
Reply author: DannyBrown91
Replied on: 30/05/2010 22:00:26
Message:
Nice post mick. I think it would be worthwhile this being made into a sticky.
Reply author: matty18714
Replied on: 30/05/2010 22:51:43
Message:
Good post, nice one. Will sticky this.
Reply author: LittleMick
Replied on: 31/05/2010 02:25:41
Message:
Thanks, took bloomin' hours, lol. I hope it helps alot of new members as most of the info came from the experience of this forum.
If anyone wants to do an adult one but can't be bothered to write it out, let me know and I'll do it for them. Just throw the images my way in the sequence that you would set up the enclosure, add any comments or links to be include then I'll do the photoshop stuff and write it on their behalf. I think new memebrs should get the gist of it though from this one. Same principles just on a larger scale.
Reply author: Kellog
Replied on: 31/05/2010 02:32:59
Message:
Fantastic guide Mick. Do you want any spelling or grammar mistakes correcting?
xxx
Reply author: LittleMick
Replied on: 31/05/2010 02:37:09
Message:
Bugger you, lol. I just ran through it again and edited, but go on then throw 'em at me. Or edit it your self if you want save loads of posts being put up and cluttering the thread.
Thanks
PS:What are you still doing up at this time?
Reply author: Blackecho
Replied on: 31/05/2010 09:41:36
Message:
Very nice Mick, some effort gone in there.
Reply author: Sta~ple
Replied on: 31/05/2010 10:31:38
Message:
Amazing guide...This is a truely amazing guide though, I wish you were here to set up my viv's when I started keeping snakes 7/8 years ago ^^
Where did you but the suckers??? I have been looking everywhere for a suction cups exactly like that but I can't see an on ebay :/
I would love to help with the set-up of an adult viv but it's taking a while for swell to get my order right :/
Reply author: herriotfan
Replied on: 31/05/2010 10:39:59
Message:
Now that's what I call an A* guide! Well done you. 
Anyone who has problems working out how to get things set up and running for their hatchling after reading that really shouldn't keep snakes at all!! 
A quality sticky.
Reply author: LittleMick
Replied on: 31/05/2010 13:31:50
Message:
Thanks everyone, really appreciate the comments.
Sta~ple - You can get the suction cups from any aquatic store, just look in the section to do with aeration; airlines, airstones etc, they should do packs of them.
If I remember correctly was it you who said you ived near Northampton? If so get over to Maidenhead Aquatics at Harleston Heath, that's my LFS, they are excellent. Unfortunately MA don't have a decent website or online store. The following link leads to Seapets but my local do the same thing. They come with little U shaped hooks that can turn so you can angle it slightly.
http://www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/fish-tank-equipment/aquarium-air-pumps/airline-and-valves/algarde-airline-sucker-clip.html
Another couple of online places are these
http://www.warehouse-aquatics.co.uk//index.php?keywords=suction
http://www.onlineaquariumstore.com/acatalog/Multi-purpose_Suckers_and_Clips.html
Reply author: HannahB
Replied on: 31/05/2010 22:49:23
Message:
nice one..gotta admit i didnt bother drilling any holes in my faun lids - iv got my stat probe between the mat and the faun but the temp probe inside the faun but adjust it according to the inside temp.. think it was cause i couldnt find a drill anywhere and by the time id found it i didnt see the point in changing the set up lmao
but really useful stuff there mick 
Reply author: LittleMick
Replied on: 01/06/2010 01:20:01
Message:
Yeah I think there are a couple of members that do it the way you have Hannah, as long as the temps are correct though huh. When I first set up my Leo viv, what a pullaver that was. A word to the wise, always give sufficient time between setting up your animal enclosure and buying your animal , I had 2 days to get that all set up and tested 
Reply author: Sta~ple
Replied on: 01/06/2010 14:15:31
Message:
quote:
Originally posted by HannahB
nice one..gotta admit i didnt bother drilling any holes in my faun lids - iv got my stat probe between the mat and the faun but the temp probe inside the faun but adjust it according to the inside temp.. think it was cause i couldnt find a drill anywhere and by the time id found it i didnt see the point in changing the set up lmao
but really useful stuff there mick
Thank you you have made me feel less guilty now *_*
Thanks little mick for the links, I will be searching on ebay to see if I can see any in bulk cheap though :D but thank you so much, I had been looking everywhere for stuff like that to hang my plants up XD
Not to sound like crit or mean or anything but, I think you should take sand out of your guide where it talks about impaction, it kinda gives the impression that sand is safe to house corns when your not meant to use it at all.
Reply author: LittleMick
Replied on: 01/06/2010 23:47:00
Message:
KELLOG - Thanks for the suggestion, added it near the beginning of my second post any suggestions welcome, if it helps the post and new members.
STAPLE - I took out the sand bit for the purposes of this particular caresheet, thanks for pointing it out. I put in in without thinking about it, what with talking about sand and lizards. I am planning on doing another caresheet for TR for Leos so the most popular subtrates came to mind, lol 
my bad.
Reply author: reptiledanny
Replied on: 02/06/2010 12:27:40
Message:
at the end were it says
"EDOTED LATER BY ME TO CORRECT SPELLING AND ADD A COUPLE OF Q's"
edoted is spelled wrong, don't mean to nag or seem like i am picking at little bits but just want it to be perfect and if you are like me you will as well (i am a perfectionist 
)
i think this is a great thread and will help many new snale ownwers, it would have helped me when i bought monty to make sure i had stat and thermometer as i never new you needed them till about 6 months later, luckily monty was fine . great job there littlemick 
Reply author: LittleMick
Replied on: 02/06/2010 22:48:37
Message:
You pack o' buggers, lol, I'm crying here, lol. I think I was really tired when I wrote it. But hey ho, anyone who can edit and spot any spelling mistakes, feel free to change it. I do get gutted when I do grammar and spelling mistakes as English was one of my few good studies.
EDITED BY ME - Maybe I should do more proof reading
Reply author: LittleMick
Replied on: 03/06/2010 21:44:59
Message:
Well I'll be doing a leopard gecko one for TR this weekend so keep your eyes peeled.
Reply author: hillzi
Replied on: 03/06/2010 22:20:05
Message:
Nice guide Mick, I was thinking about how to do something like this but I would not have gone to the extent that you have gne to!
A worthy sticky.
Reply author: elament
Replied on: 04/06/2010 13:16:55
Message:
Brilliant guide Mick really well put together
Reply author: n/a
Replied on: 16/06/2010 21:56:04
Message:
Hi i might be getting a corn snake :) this guide helped me im getting a faunarium for free from Hiper2009 their so nice! so i have £60.00 to spend on snakey (when i get it)
Reply author: n/a
Replied on: 24/06/2010 19:45:35
Message:
Hi all, im new to the forum and to the world of snakes. I have a quick question though. when placing the thermostat sensor is it best to place it inside the hide of the hot end or outside? the only reason im asking is because i guess if it was outside i would not get an accurate reading as it would hotter in the hide?
have i just answered my own question?
thanks?
Reply author: LittleMick
Replied on: 26/06/2010 00:33:28
Message:
Sorry for the late reply, I've been abit moody lately 
.
Anyway, glad the setup guide is helping out.
SugarAndSpiceIsSoNice - Is it a complete setup you are getting? If you haven't already got it. If so, that's great.
bernie4547 - It's really upto you where you place the thermostat sensor, under the faun or inside it, as long as the themometer probe is inside, that way you get your accurate readings.
Remember, it all depends on your setup. I think Matty on here puts his stat probes underneath, maybe he can explain setup or link you to a thread with it in. But if the enclosure is glass or plastic, a faun, terrarium or RUB you can place your heat mat inside or outside, same with your stat probe, but the them probe goes inside. As previously mentioned in the guide though, if you are using a glass enclosure be aware that glass may crack under continous heat.This is only something I have read about so the source may have been just a one off incident. But as advised, if you have an air gap you shouldn't have any issues.
Here's a couple of pics of Elijah's faun, although ina clear plastic faun he has loads of cover with a couple of hides, the Exo Terra Boston Fern and an Exo Terra silk vine down one side. Obviously the picture is not as my guide is as I originally had the ET small hide at the cool end, but I switched them over so when Elijah was in his warm hide he was directly on the substrate above the heat mat.
Reply author: Kellog
Replied on: 28/06/2010 04:01:34
Message:
quote:
Originally posted by bernie4547
Hi all, im new to the forum and to the world of snakes. I have a quick question though. when placing the thermostat sensor is it best to place it inside the hide of the hot end or outside? the only reason im asking is because i guess if it was outside i would not get an accurate reading as it would hotter in the hide?
have i just answered my own question?
thanks?
This thread may help you with the positioning of your probes, although LittleMick has given you a pretty good idea about how to do it - http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8402. You will see from the thread that there are some differences of opinion with this so you will have to decide which you feel is best.
As for placing the probe inside the hide, I personally think it is better to have the probe (both probes or just the one, depending on which way you choose to set it up) outside of the hide as if it is inside it may be affected by a cool snake lying on it. This was recently discussed in this thread - http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10271
xxx
Reply author: tomp33
Replied on: 06/07/2010 19:52:17
Message:
Thank you so much. You just answered every single one of my corn snake Q's. :) Im going to use your ideas lol.
Reply author: Kellog
Replied on: 07/07/2010 03:35:38
Message:
quote:
Originally posted by tomp33
Thank you so much. You just answered every single one of my corn snake Q's. :) Im going to use your ideas lol.
That is exactly what LittleMick was hoping when he put this '101' together Abbz. I bet you are so excited about getting your corn and it is great that you are getting everything prepared before hand so that once you buy your new snake its new home is all set up and running properly.
Why dont you pop over to the 'Introduction' section so we can all say hi properly and find out some more about you? We are a nosey lot on here
!xxx
Reply author: tomp33
Replied on: 08/07/2010 07:07:22
Message:
quote:
Originally posted by Kellogquote:
Originally posted by tomp33
Thank you so much. You just answered every single one of my corn snake Q's. :) Im going to use your ideas lol.
That is exactly what LittleMick was hoping when he put this '101' together Abbz. I bet you are so excited about getting your corn and it is great that you are getting everything prepared before hand so that once you buy your new snake its new home is all set up and running properly.
Why dont you pop over to the 'Introduction' section so we can all say hi properly and find out some more about you? We are a nosey lot on here
xxx
I would never dream of buying the setup with the snake. I am going to get it up and running a few days before incase of problems.
I saw some people in the reptile shop the other day buying their beardie's setup with the lizard itself!
xD
Reply author: LittleMick
Replied on: 08/07/2010 17:58:04
Message:
That's just plain irresponsible, I thought I was cutting it fine when I got a setup 2 days prior to getting myLeopard gecko, although if there had been a problem I would have just delayed picking her up.
Reply author: Sizzlesmum
Replied on: 09/07/2010 21:30:05
Message:
Mick thanks so much for this thread
I'm getting two hatchlings soon and this has been a godsend.
Have got things up and running temps wise, just to make sure before they get here
Can I ask what size the fern and vines are? (Been on ebay lol)
Thanks
Ellie
Reply author: LittleMick
Replied on: 10/07/2010 00:06:59
Message:
Hey Sizzlesmum, my absolute pleasure, it's good to see people are benefitting from the guide, . Keep your eyes open for the adult guide coming soon. It's going to be wow!!!!!
The Silk vine is a 30cm one I think, classed as small, and the Fern is the Exo Terra Boston Fern Small. I'll amend the post to include the sizes if it's not in there.
Reply author: Sizzlesmum
Replied on: 11/07/2010 21:36:23
Message:
Thanks again Mick, I thought it would be the small but wanted to make sure
Reply author: hiper2009
Replied on: 11/07/2010 21:57:03
Message:
Fantasic post Mick , Very useful !!
Reply author: LittleMick
Replied on: 11/07/2010 23:11:21
Message:
Np, it's great to see people making use of it. I have also ameneded the guide to include the sizes of the silk vine and Boston Fern.
Reply author: hillzi
Replied on: 12/07/2010 11:14:04
Message:
Any chance of a final price up mate?
Reply author: LittleMick
Replied on: 12/07/2010 18:15:22
Message:
Well the cost of me posting is about 50p a word, will send admin an invoice shortly.
Lol, seriously though, you want me to build it for you as well?
Lol, No, absolutely seriously, if it will help I will get a price together of what I paid for a COMPLETE setup. But I'm sure if people hunt around they can get everything a little cheaper.
Reply author: n/a
Replied on: 06/08/2010 11:57:41
Message:
Thanks. You gave me a bit of info to help persuade me family to get me a snake.
Reply author: reggie_69
Replied on: 06/08/2010 12:32:09
Message:
awesome post cant go wrong!!
Reply author: miss_mystra
Replied on: 03/09/2010 13:25:45
Message:
perfect post, just what i need to get set up :) thanks!
Reply author: n/a
Replied on: 24/10/2010 19:07:52
Message:
LITTLEMICK, that's a brilliant post! Thanks for doing all that work.
Reply author: n/a
Replied on: 07/11/2010 23:21:58
Message:
this is a fantastic guide and will be a massive help to me, we are getting our first snakey in 2 weeks so i will be reading this again when i come to set up, thank you.
Reply author: Invalid User
Replied on: 17/11/2010 10:36:37
Message:
Wow, fantastic guide. this has really been helpful. I didn't know whether to get a digital thermometer or not but now I def will. I was going to get one with 2 probes so I can keep an eye on the cool end temp too or is this not needed?
Reply author: scubadude
Replied on: 08/12/2010 12:09:19
Message:
Cracking setup guide, even I can't get it wrong using this, cheers for answering an awful lot of questions in one go.. and I didn't even need to ask.
Thanks again
Reply author: Ayersy
Replied on: 24/12/2010 11:52:56
Message:
Think I'm gonna need to run out and get a thermostat, got a digital thermometer yesterday that says the warm end is about 28 degrees, but the guy in the shop said I didn't need a thermostat, for some reason. :S
Reply author: Benji54
Replied on: 24/12/2010 11:56:38
Message:
great guide! thanks very much! i will point my new keeper friend in this direction!
Reply author: Cornflake1
Replied on: 08/01/2011 19:56:19
Message:
* MOD edit, this is a pointless post if you are going to post can you please make it constructive or at least relevant
Reply author: n/a
Replied on: 22/01/2011 13:21:32
Message:
Excellent guide, I have just set up my faun with absolute ease because of this. Thank you :-)
Reply author: MickyB
Replied on: 25/01/2011 22:49:14
Message:
Im part way through building this exact setup orderin the last bits on friday thanks for the ideas lil mick GOOD GUIDE!
Reply author: joelcafc
Replied on: 31/01/2011 23:30:02
Message:
hi, im thinking of getting a corn snake (still in the research stage atm) and i was wondering how long it would be untill the snake out grows this set up?
Reply author: georgecorn
Replied on: 17/02/2011 10:59:49
Message:
nice work mick helped me a bit
Reply author: Laws
Replied on: 17/03/2011 02:05:18
Message:
hey have followed ur sticky guide when setting up kodi's new home , i put pics up just a quick question i noticed on the heat mat u had the copper facing up , on the instructions it says they should be facing down? i have them facing down at the min , but is it better if its the other way around? x
Reply author: Mamma
Replied on: 23/03/2011 11:54:56
Message:
This is awesome. Thank you so much
Reply author: tomp33
Replied on: 14/05/2011 17:35:42
Message:
I know I posted like a year ago but I didn't get a snake in the end... Now I actually am and I cannot begin to say how good this guide is lol. I've set up my little snakeys home now. Just waiting to pick him up :) Using non-digital thermometers but hoping to buy digital soon.
My parents are loveing the snake idea, they're going to pay for the viv and put it in the living room with deco when he's bigger.
Thanks again
Reply author: tomp33
Replied on: 14/05/2011 17:36:59
Message:
quote:
Originally posted by joelcafc
hi, im thinking of getting a corn snake (still in the research stage atm) and i was wondering how long it would be untill the snake out grows this set up?
It's impossible to say but it's around a year I think.
:) (I asked reptile keeper today)
Reply author: tomp33
Replied on: 15/05/2011 06:14:34
Message:
So Sorry for doube post but when the stat heat light goes off does that mean that the temperature is at the required level and stuff.
Sorry, just wondering if mine was broken.
Reply author: kdlang
Replied on: 15/05/2011 08:44:25
Message:
Hiya, yes if the light that is labelled heat goes off then the mat has reached the correct temperature according to the thermostat. The dials on the stat arent always spot on so sometimes you have to play around with it to get the right reading on your thermometer. Unfortunately with dial and strip thermometers they are notoriously unreliable so I would recommend you get at least one digital thermometer for the warm end to make sure you have it at the right temperature. You can get one on ebay for about £3 so probably even cheaper than the exoterra dial ones.
Reply author: nusnakemum
Replied on: 17/05/2011 17:34:38
Message:
Thank you - a great guide for me as newbie snake mummy, must say in general this site helps loads with first time anxieties, thaks all.
N
Reply author: ogri
Replied on: 03/06/2011 22:39:07
Message:
quote:
Originally posted by LittleMick
Well the cost of me posting is about 50p a word, will send admin an invoice shortly.
Lol, seriously though, you want me to build it for you as well?
Lol, No, absolutely seriously, if it will help I will get a price together of what I paid for a COMPLETE setup. But I'm sure if people hunt around they can get everything a little cheaper.
This was an absolute god send and yeah if you could come around my house when I have problems(I'll put he kettle on)
Reply author: carlyjackson
Replied on: 15/08/2011 15:16:03
Message:
great thread.. i feel a little more confident about setting up a home for my snakey now :)
Reply author: Tommy H
Replied on: 25/08/2011 23:50:18
Message:
Brilliant thread. So I'm looking at getting a hatchling, and I've seen it mentioned that they can squeeze through small gaps - I take it that the air slots in the lid of the faunarium from 888 are too small for them to get through?
Do you know if the lid clamps on? As i've heard they get strong and can lift lids?
Also, strange question, how often so they poo?
Reply author: Simmy_82
Replied on: 26/08/2011 07:25:57
Message:
They air slots are small so should be ok. The cable holes on the lid if not used should be blocked ( i used tissue). The lid dies clap down so no fears there.
Reply author: bbjay
Replied on: 02/09/2011 11:08:43
Message:
Thankyou so much for this guide i setup my faun last week following this thanks :)
Reply author: tarrantulasteve
Replied on: 08/09/2011 15:49:40
Message:
thank you ive just joined 5 mins ago.posted alot of questions and now theye are answered :-) thank you
Reply author: JamesA
Replied on: 30/10/2011 08:55:42
Message:
Great guide Mick, very useful! We now have something very similar :)
Reply author: smart bunny
Replied on: 11/11/2011 12:01:15
Message:
As a newbie who is wanting to get set up for a corn snake and wouldn't have known where to start I'd just like to say thanks for going to the effort of making this guide. :)
Reply author: ScalySituation
Replied on: 25/11/2011 11:10:38
Message:
will be making a damp hide for sonny for next time gr8 guide, that pic at the end made me LOL
Reply author: ScalySituation
Replied on: 13/01/2012 12:33:51
Message:
that looks like a really fun set up! :) bet snakey loves it like this, i need to get a smaller plant lol
Reply author: WannaCornSnakeTeen
Replied on: 23/01/2012 18:22:44
Message:
fantastic guide will defenitly help many people
Reply author: darrkang3l
Replied on: 17/02/2012 15:03:35
Message:
Thanks this helped me alot! although my heat mat hangs off the edge of my faun an its to big but it keeps it just under 30 degrees still so this shouldnt be a problem right?
Reply author: n/a
Replied on: 07/03/2012 06:50:09
Message:
-=K
Reply author: darrkang3l
Replied on: 07/03/2012 12:10:57
Message:
quote:
Originally posted by bedemiqy
spammity spam spam spam text snipped.
SPAM?!?!
Reply author: Kehhlyr
Replied on: 07/03/2012 13:27:55
Message:
Yes it was indeed, woo.
I get to use a spam pic again, it's been ages since they were dragged out.
Reply author: NaomiR
Replied on: 10/07/2012 22:09:18
Message:
I've got 2 of these for my corns, they are BRILLIANT and a lot less hastle than the faunariums PLUS (the best bit) the whole top opens up so getting snakey out is a lot easier.
I tried faunariums but didn't like having to stick the heat mat to the bottom of it and I didn't like having to make extra holes for thermostat and thermometer probes
http://www.888reptiles.co.uk/productdetails.php?ProductID=7147&ProductGroupID=2963
Reply author: RSF
Replied on: 11/08/2012 19:58:33
Message:
Hi all,
Thank you for this post. We aint got our corn snake yet hopefully in a couple of weeks so we are currently reading up as much information as we can on the to give it the best care possible. Currently setting things up ready for our new arrvial and information like this is very very helpful.
We have 2 questions...
1. We got the Faunarium like your one in the 101 guide and we are a little concerened that the lids dont look at secure. Could these be easily opened by the snake? (Wife would go mental if it gets out..LOL)
2. Should the heat pad go inside the box or be glued to the outside or have the air space as your recommened?? There seems to be a lot of information on this but it is all a little confusing as every one says theirs is the best way.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Reply author: Donnie
Replied on: 11/08/2012 20:29:42
Message:
I had the same thought when I first got one of these fauns and used to put a book on the top but after a couple of weeks took it off because I thought I was being to paranoid and I was. I had Sid in this type of faun and he was constantly roaming looking for a flaw and he never found one. The lids do push on pretty tight and are quite secure.
I had my mat on the outside with the stat probe stuck to it (thermometer probe on the floor in the faun) and then sat the faun on top of it and the weight of it kept the mat in place.
Reply author: jace
Replied on: 01/09/2012 19:31:29
Message:
Thanks mick very helpful.
Reply author: Lady Chappell
Replied on: 01/09/2012 20:01:34
Message:
Just a quick question my hatchling is about 3 weeks old and i have the Kamodo version of your Faun can a hatchling get through those air slats just dont want to take any risks as i would have one upset little boy as he loves his baby snake if cola escaped
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