Where did your read that fake plants are no good? You can clean and sanitize most fake ones.

There are TONS of websites about setting up a live viv. Google probably would help ya find them.

Will

Can't believe everything you read. Including anything I write.

Need way more information on this, starting with what kind of snakes? How old? How are they housed? What kind of caging, what kind of heat?

Yeah there is absolutely nothing wrong with fake plants.... one of the arguments against vivariums is actually the fact that it can potentially harbor bacteria easier than a sterile fake plant and news paper set up.

However I strongly prefer fully planted live vivs over lab set ups for everything and as soon as I move out I will begin getting all my animals into vivariums... except for some larger species I might own because that is MUCH more of a hassle.....

But as aaron said if you are wanting to go with vivariums we need more info. If the only reason you were thinking about it was because of fake plants being harmful then you really don't need to bother. just make sure you clean the plants when you clean the cage and you will be fine.

I LOVE fake plants!! I don't use hides (growing collection tends to out grow them faster than I can buy them), but I use fake plants to create a secure feeling. Plus they are easy to clean and disinfect, take out, move, AND they work without light! I use racks, so this is ideal for me.

You can certainly use fake plants. The reason people have been told they spread disease was due to their lack of good cleaning habits. If you take the time to disinfect them regularly it is not an issue. Live plants are cool to, just research which ones are non-toxic and are sturdy enough for a curious snake. I made my own hides using the vines from the dollar tree and a piece of driftwood I bleached and then baked.

When I started with live vivs, this was my go-to list: http://lllreptile.com/info/library/care-and-husbandry-articles/-/list-of-nontoxic-plants-for-your-terrarium/ .   Another great starter resource is the Art of Keeping Snakes by Philippe de Vosjoli.  Really great book on vivarium basics.  Also, dart frog forums are a great place to get info/inspiration on setting up vivs.  If it's safe for delicate darts, more than likely it's safe for most snakes.

And my soil of choice these days is Miracle Grow Organic Choice potting mix.  I've used it in vivs for frogs, geckos and snakes, will no problems whatsoever. 

If you have a lot of extra time on your hands, vivariums that are elaborate with plants and such can be a ton of fun, but they do require a bit more maintenance.

If you don''t have a ton of extra time, I'd suggest the fake plants. Like people have said, as long as you disinfect them regularly you should not run into any problems.

Thanks guys!!

So! basically i am game for a little bit of both, i was thinking of just putting a couple plants in clay planters i was just warned about the fertilizer so i will check out that miracle grow!!!:D

I have a Brazilian Rainbow boa 5 feet long living in a 60 gallon tank, he has a heat pad a and100 watt ceramic.

Then I have my 6 month old Ball Python living in a 20 Gallon tank (I have already purchased a bigger terrarium for him) which has a under tank heater and a 100 watt bulb as well.

I have a 75 watt bulb i put on their tanks when I am using the fogger and a 5.0 uv that i put on them for a little bit in the morning since I know they don't necessarily need it but its a luxury i suppose. 

And!! When i clean the plants i just use hot water because I am worried about any sorts of chemicals is that alright?

Re: cleaning the plants.  Are you talking about the fake plants?  To clean my fake plants, I soak them in a bucket of 5% bleach solution (because they usually end up w/ poo on them, the soaking saves me from scrubbing all those individual leaves), then rinse them really well in hot water, then squeeze some dish soap on them, moosh them around in my hands for a few minutes, then rinse really well in hot water again.  If you're taking about cleaning up poo or urates from live plants, a paper towel drenched in warm water usually does the trick...just wipe off the leaves.

just make sure to keep everything separated by animal when cleaning if you're not choosing to disinfect. but  yeah, the other end of the spectrum is chemicals that must be carefully, thoroughly rinsed off to prevent problems.

I think both species would probably work fine. I find that these types of snakes don't work so well:

a) really heavy. they'll smash everything

b) really dry. plants will dry out

c) really heat-loving. plants will cook under bulbs

d) really arboreal - my older carpets smash their plants in short order and I gave up after about 2 years. the younger ones do just fine with planted vivs

e) really industrious burrowers - they dig them up. my Savu pythons fit into this category.

my personal feeling is that planted and/or naturalistic vivs are more work at the outset, but less work down the road. they smell better and look prettier - but are also much, much heavier if you ever want to move them.  I do feel too that naturalistic setups allow you to see more naturalistic behaviors, which is something I like. also gives them more enrichment and encourages curiosity, activity - which I'm assuming only helps keep them healthier.  even my snakes that don't get plants still get dirt, moss, rocks, bark, sticks to keep things interesting for them and for me.

oh, and MG's soil is awesome. I've used it too, although I usually get Black Gold Organic Potting Soil (anything organic won't be toxic). organic soil can also have fertilizers (organic fertilizers) and I'd avoid this - the snake will pee in the dirt even if you scoop out the poop from time to time, and the pee + fertilizer = too much nitrogen = pale sickly plants 

good luck, and if you do go natural, post pics?