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exo-terras for chondros

Posted By:

bfpsteeler67

Hey folks I presently own 1.0.2 green tree pythons and I know a few people who use exo-terrs for them but would like to know who else uses them them?....how are they working for you? and what modifications you have done to them to house your animals safely and heathfully.? Theres been quite a bit of debate over the past few years or so about the pros and cons of these as chondro cagesand they seem to be gaining popularity. thank you


Points:	50
Topics:	General Health , Caging
Tags:	Chondro, Exoterra
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Member Comment

5/31/2009 5:38:08 PM

vonnick52

The one I have is a 18x18x24 inch model. I got it with the biak female thats in it from a guy on craigslist, he said she's been in it since she was a neonate. She does well in it. I keep cypress mulch on the bottom and I spray it generously daily. There is a UTH on the bottom which helps add to the humidity. I live in Florida though, and our ambient humidity levels are pretty high, especially this time of the year. It is controlled by a thermostat.

Member Comment

5/31/2009 5:40:58 PM

FyreFocks

I set up an exo for my almost yearling, Chewy. I didnt alter the top of the cage at all. I used an organic bioactive substrate, complete with bugs and worms, and i used bamboo for perches. The pothos i put in was potted, and this is where i started to have trouble. The humidity was great, but i was still having hydration issues with the snake. She would perch on the lip of the plant pot in the back corner of the cage and i couldnt adequately spray her. After a couple weeks she became lethargic and went into a bad shed.

When i retry the experiment, i will plant the pothos in the substrate and allow the plants to grow throughout the cage before i add the snake. This should clear up the problems i had during round one. Chewy is now back in her pretzel jar and shes been fine since.

If you dont lurk moreliaviridis.yuku.com, you should. This has been a hot topic lately. Check out this thread for one of the many exo set ups people have been making for themselves.
http://moreliaviridis.yuku.com/topic/11653

Author Comment

5/31/2009 5:59:18 PM

bfpsteeler67

I belong to the forum brian68803 i just use a different id..why i dont know......I'll have pics of mine this week sometime , chondros too....hehe.....I understand peoples opinions as far as these being glass cages and with the heat issue but Ive seriously not had a problem with them as far as heat/humididty levels.I like them alot. Using acrylic sucks and I did see the post where someone used MDF instead of acrylic.I live In Nebraska so I have to modify mine,the tops anyway.I just looked and looked on the internet for a cage that I felt was the right one before I purchased my first 2 chondros and couldnt really decide on one.The exo-terras were readily available here so I took a shot at them .Besides around the time I purchased my first 2 was when exo-terras seemed to be gaining popularity. By the way I built a G.Maxwell style cage and hated it...frikin thing weighed a ton and was just to bulky.When I clean my cages I remove the animals and do a emaculate cleaning job.Removing the tops makes in a snap to do a good cleaning job.

Member Comment

5/31/2009 6:04:20 PM

FyreFocks

I managed to maintain the humidity without a modified top through the use of a thick layer of the bioactive substrate and a UTH. The room temps supply the ambient temp. The snake ate twice in the cage before the dehydration set in.

Member Comment

6/1/2009 9:26:46 AM

aaron

I use heat tape underneath, mulch, and put sheets of glass on top to keep the humidity in... a flourescent light on top provides light...

I like em, I hate em. not to threadjack but how do you put your perches in? I have the Scharphorn branches with those T-Connectors, but am going to be doing another 5 for consistency... and don't know quite how I'm gonna handle it.

Author Comment

6/1/2009 10:10:04 AM

bfpsteeler67

I just silicone closet pole cups.Grey PVC.Its not sexy but it cleans easy.I like the T-connectors though,maybe the next cage.

Accepted Answer

6/1/2009 2:27:19 PM

Mel4short

I have several Exo-Terra cages. I do like them in spite of the glass! They make a great display cage and since I have no reptile room, I have cages all over the house. I like the front openings as well. I prefer the Exo-Terra over Zoomed. Why? New sizes! I prefer the longer over taller. I have 4 I currently use for my Chondros: an 18 x18 cube, a 36L x 18D x 24H, a 36L x 18D x 18H, and a new one I've not set up yet which is 24L x 18D x 18H. I create a very natural setting. For perch holders, I coat closet rod holders with black or brown silicone and then coat with EcoEarth. I really like the background that comes with the ET's and I sometimes jazz them up a bit by doing the same...dark silicone in random spots and coating with Eco Earth. I use a natural type bedding, a blend of dirts and such or coco soft(small chip). I use artificial plants, mainly suction cupped to the sides for cover and hanging from the top. I also use potted plants...having them in pots just makes it easier for care and maintenance. But I feel they really help with humidity also. Heating is always a challenge! I use domes with either red or black bulbs or CHE. I've also covered the majority of the screen tops with pieces of acrylic cut to size and adhered with black silicone to the underside of the screen. For lighting, if possible, I use a bar florescent fixture. Otherwise, a small dome with a florescent bulb. This is needed to maintain the plants. And I also use natural branches for perches...maple, oak, or crape myrtle all work well.

I'll try to post a pic of one or two of them set up. If not, I do believe they are under my animals page! Blaze is in one, Wasabi, and Boomerang, too.

Ok...guess I'm too computer stupid for words. No wonder Aaron didn't need me to help him with the Species stuff!! ***sniff, sniff***. It's ok, I'll be fine. **sniff**

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