How to Build a Snake Tank

You can build a snake tank to keep your pet comfortable in your home. Using Plexiglas will help avoid accidentally breaking your snake tank yet allow you to view your snake throughout the day. Building your own tank may save money and allow you to design a tank that fits the needs of your snake and the area where you want to keep it. How do you build a snake tank? Follow these steps.

Things You'll Need

  • Plexiglas (three sheets that are 24 inches by 18 inches tall)
  • Plexiglas (two sheets that are 17.5 inches by 18 inches tall)
  • Mesh or screen top 24 inches by 18 inches
  • 10 boards that are 1-inch by 1/2-inch by 24-inches
  • 4 boards that are 1-inch-by-1/2-inch-by-16 inches
  • 4 boards that are 1-inch-by-1/2-inch-by-19 inches
  • Screws 3/4-inch
  • Caulk gun and liquid nails
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Instructions

  1. Building the Frame

    • 1

      Build two wooden frames to support the Plexiglas structure of the snake tank--one will go on the bottom and the other frame on top. Lay the 24-inch long boards flat on a hard surface parallel to each other. Place the shorter 16-inch boards in between creating a flat surface that is 24 by 18-inches due to the 1-inch width of the 24-inch boards being added to the total width.

    • 2

      Connect the boards using liquid nails at each joint. Allow it to dry before proceeding.

    • 3

      Stand another 24-inch long board on edge beside the 24-inch board laying flat and attach it using screws. Repeat on the other side.

    • 4

      Stand a 19-inch board on edge along side the 16-inch board lying flat. This board should cover the 16-inch board, plus the 1-inch end of each 24-inch board, as well as the 1/2-inch thickness of each 24-inch board standing on end, creating a smooth ended frame to set the tank in that is exactly 24 by 18 inches on the inside dimensions. Screw this board into place and the one on the opposite side.

    • 5

      Build a second frame exactly the same way.

    Installing the Plexiglas

    • 6

      Spread liquid nails on the inside of one frame base and set a sheet of Plexiglas flat inside frame.

    • 7

      Spread a thin line of liquid nails all the way around the inside edge of the frame and along the outer edge of the Plexiglas you already glued into the frame.

    • 8

      Stand one sheet of Plexiglas on edge at a time inside the frame onto the thin line of liquid nails you already applied and also applying liquid nails to the sides of the Plexiglas so that the corner edges will be glued together as you stand each one into the frame. Repeat this step until you have all four sides of the tank in place and glued together with liquid nails.

    • 9

      Spread a narrow strip of liquid nails along the top edges of the Plexiglas tank.

    • 10

      Place the second frame that you made over the top of the tank creating a flat wooden area on top that you can attach your mesh cover to prevent your snake from escaping.