new viv setup, thanks to jeff pollitt!!

[aliconda]

hi, finally got my new viv setup, so thought i would share the pics.

this was built by jeff pollitt, would definitely recommend him, its an ace viv!!



and i've finally added my two in it, but i seriously need some branches!!








also, i need to get a light for the tank, a UV repti-glo thingmabob but i have no idea what i'm looking for, so could anyone help me out and give me some suggestions???

thanks xxx

[a-jones1324]

nice viv, but y do u hav so much hight 4 a royal??

[aliconda]

Originally Posted by a-jones1324

nice viv, but y do u hav so much hight 4 a royal??

these 2 love climbing. sounds weird huh?? the bigger royal has been used to a similar height viv full of branches, and the little one used to always climb to the top of that tank too.

[bothrops]

Nice viv.

Not entirely sure of its suitablility as a royal viv though.

I personally feel there is not nearly enough hides in the bottom for one snake let alone two (particularly if they are so different in size).

If you insist on co-habiting them, despite all the risks mentioned on the other thread then there should be at least two hides (one at each end) that are only big enough for the little one and at least two that are bigger. If they 'always' both use the bigger one, so be it, but the little one should have the choice to get away.

Also I think gravel is an odd choice of substrate. It offers no opportunity for digging and burying and must be terribly uncomfortable.

I'm also a little concerned as to how you intend on producing a nice warm end that they don't have to climb to access.


Nice viv, but as I say, probably better for a carpet python than a royal.

Cheers

Andy

[aliconda]

Originally Posted by bothrops

Nice viv.

Not entirely sure of its suitablility as a royal viv though.

I personally feel there is not nearly enough hides in the bottom for one snake let alone two (particularly if they are so different in size).
If you insist on co-habiting them, despite all the risks mentioned on the other thread then there should be at least two hides (one at each end) that are only big enough for the little one and at least two that are bigger. If they 'always' both use the bigger one, so be it, but the little one should have the choice to get away.

there are currently 2 'hides' as such in the bottom, both are at the cold end. though this is the first time that ember has had a hide, as she never used the last one, she simply curls up behind the pot.

Also I think gravel is an odd choice of substrate. It offers no opportunity for digging and burying and must be terribly uncomfortable.

i have been considering changing it, but until the little one gets a bit bigger, at least the stones she can't swallow easily. also, one end of the tank doesn't have the stones in at all, so if they want to keep away from it then they can, but they seem to prefer it.
( i removed half of then stones from embers previous tank to see what she preferred sitting on, but she moved the remaining stones back to where she normally curls up on, so i figure she likes them...they help well with shedding too )

I'm also a little concerned as to how you intend on producing a nice warm end that they don't have to climb to access.

the pot has a bulb inside it, so that produces more than enough heat for them, hence why they're curled round it. my room was quite cold when those pics were taken, and they had been out of the tank for a while whilst i moved things over. they're both at opp. ends of the tank now.

Nice viv, but as I say, probably better for a carpet python than a royal.

oddly enough, thats what i want next!!

Cheers

Andy

thanks for the input Andy, I know this isn't something that we will ever agree on because you don't feel that it is right keeping them together, and I just don't see an issue with it - although that doesn't mean to say that i'm not keeping my eyes on them both to make sure that nothing goes wrong, and we shall see in a few weeks time. as i've said before, the longest these two have spent together in the same viv before is about 8 days, so its still probation time.
Worst comes to worst i'll have to put a shelf in the viv and make a stack...

Also, as i said before, i need to go shopping for some branches etc so that the height can be properly utilised, then these two will probably rarely be near the ground and be back to their old selves.

But still, can anyone advise on the lights please, i don't understand the whole bulb strip plus something else bit

[dax]

if its uv your refering too?

royals dont need uv?

you would be better with maybe a red buld with a guard over? the black thingy your refering to is a starter and its used to start the uv tube.

[cabrera]

viv looks great Jeff is doing a run to kent in the next week cant wait to get my new viv.Jeff is going to do my whole rep room for me from Manchester this guy is amazing.

[haderz]

im not having a go but u dotn seem to know much about royals to say u just had this viv built :S seems a waste of money tbh

[aliconda]

Originally Posted by dax

if its uv your refering too?

royals dont need uv?

you would be better with maybe a red buld with a guard over? the black thingy your refering to is a starter and its used to start the uv tube.

hmm i don't know what to do now!! can anyone show me any examples of what heating/lighting combos they use? pretty please??



and yea, jeff mentioned that he's got quite a few vivs to build in the next few weeks!!

[bothrops]

Originally Posted by aliconda

thanks for the input Andy, I know this isn't something that we will ever agree on because you don't feel that it is right keeping them together, and I just don't see an issue with it - although that doesn't mean to say that i'm not keeping my eyes on them both to make sure that nothing goes wrong, and we shall see in a few weeks time. as i've said before, the longest these two have spent together in the same viv before is about 8 days, so its still probation time.
Worst comes to worst i'll have to put a shelf in the viv and make a stack...

Also, as i said before, i need to go shopping for some branches etc so that the height can be properly utilised, then these two will probably rarely be near the ground and be back to their old selves.

But still, can anyone advise on the lights please, i don't understand the whole bulb strip plus something else bit

Ok. Firstly, we need to set aside the cohabiting issue. That is seperate to the fact that this viv is not suitable (IMO) for royal pythons.

Yes, pythons will climb, however they are 100% adapted and evolved as TERRESTRIAL animals. Look at their body shape and compare them to say an amazon tree boa or a vine snake. Arboreal snakes are long and thin. Terrestrial snakes (royals, blood pythons etc) are short and fat.

I'm not saying royals will not climb given the opportunity but in a viv of those dimensions you are forcing them to climb which is not how they live.


You need to do a great deal more research on the natural habitats and lifestyles of royal pythons rather than humanising the two individuals you have and basing all your decisions on that.


Your lighting and heating issues are incredibly problematic due to the shape of the viv you have gone with. Ideally a royal would have a large floor space with a deep substrate to allow burying. It would have a few branches to allow it to climb but NOT at the expense of the floor area. With this set up, an incandecent or ceramic bulb at one end on a dimmer or pulse proportional stat would be perfect.

I have no idea how you would set this size and shaped viv up for a royal python.

I know its difficult as you've obviously spent a lot of money on this viv but five minutes on google will tell you that it is just not suitable for a royal.

The idea that when there are branches in there, 'they won't need the floor space' just shows a lack of basic research.

Please look into alternative accomodation for your royals. At the very least you need to take them off the gravel.

Cheers

Andy