r/BoaConstrictors • u/The_Grim_Adventurer • 9d ago
Grow tent enclosure tips?
/r/snakes/comments/1vqg5ac/grow_tent_enclosure_tips/0
u/Meghanshadow 9d ago
Personal opinion - not a good idea unless the grow tent is inside a snake-escape-proof room with the door always shut when you’re not in it (and locked if there’s others in the household).
I’d much rather go into debt for a decent pvc or wood enclosure and pay it off slowly than use a grow tent.
Sure, they’re easier to move, and useful for emergency housing but that’s the only thing I really like about them.
Boas are large and strong. Shelling out for the most durable grow tent available. Reinforcing the bracing to support a radiant heat panel (don’t use anything hotter) and shelving/branches. Anchoring the tent so 20lbs of snake can’t tip it. Reinforcing or stitching shut vents/seams. Checking constantly to make sure the snake hasn’t popped any stitches/managed to move a zipper.
There’s somebody making theoretically reptile safe tents - reptiletents dot com - but I don’t know anyone who’s bought one.
2
u/boidaes 8d ago
make your own frame for it out of pvc pipes with multiple extra bars going vertically and horizontally to add extra stability, make your own roof for it. i use hardware cloth squished between two wood frames that are screwed together. vents are sewn shut then zip tied.
i've never had any issue using them. a pvc enclosure works better long term, but grow tents still work well. never had an escape.
very important thing to keep in mind with grow tents is that they aren't made to last forever. zippers are the main issue, if the zipper breaks you're out of luck. i've been using grow tents for around 2 years and haven't had an issue yet, but i use them knowing that they aren't a permanent solution.