Tanks or tubs?

[kevinb]

Hi everyone...me again.
I'm still doing my research and it seems everyone prefers tubs over tanks. Why is that? Also what kind of tubs do you use...just like sterilite tubs? Rubbermaid? How do they get oxygen? Is there holes poked in it? Please explain as I may go this way if they are that much better.

Kevin Bullis

[Anya]

Tubs are usually preferred because they generally hold humidity much better than tanks, and are easier to clean. Plus, they're MUCH cheaper, haha.
Both Sterilite and Rubbermaid are used, yes. Holes can be bored or melted around the tubs to allow airflow. The biggest downsides are they're not that pretty without some work, and don't hold heat like glass can. (Not too much difference, though.)

[kevinb]

So should I go with a tub system as a first time Bp owner?

Kevin Bullis

[LonelyGhost]

I use tubs and im just starting out with my snakes. I have a total of 4 ball pythons and 34 Quart + tubs are my best friend lol...

Easier to clean, weigh less and cost sooooo much less.

[kevinb]

I'm getting babies and I read that 15qt would be Max for them. How do you heat tubs...?

Kevin Bullis

[Vypyrz]

Tubs are usually preferred because they generally hold humidity much better than tanks, and are easier to clean. Plus, they're MUCH cheaper, haha.

Alot of people use tub & rack systems because they take up less floor space and make it easier to manage a larger number of snakes.
Or, as was stated above, you can set up stand alone tubs. Since I have a variety of snakes that will reach different adult sizes and have various caging requirements, I use them as "grow out" enclosures, until my snakes get big enough for more permanent PVC enclosures.

Here is a link to a tutorial thread that I made on setting up a stand alone tub. Hope it helps in your research.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...Basics...*DUW*

[kevinb]

That's great information! Thanks!

Kevin Bullis

[kitedemon]

Tubs work fine tanks also work well no problems if set up efficiently. I have a rack and open toped tank modified tank and custom enclosures. The differences don't really change things much tubs take a more careful balance to heat properly especially to avoid huge temp spikes. That can be seen with on off type t-stats, I would never recommend a on/off t-stat with a direct heated tub (no buffer from the heat to tub.) that makes the tub with t-stat the same price as a tank with t-stat as tanks have a lot more mass than a tub as heating spikes are moderated by the glass. Enclosures cost more (vision, boaphile ect.) but look better in my opinion than either.

The end of the day the difference is made by the keeper not the enclosure it is a silly argument it is like saying a ford makes you a better driver than a dodge. A diligent keeper with the right information can balance the perfect captive enclosure.

My tank is absolutely no problem with heat or humidity, It is currently at 58% (tested accurate hygrometer) and I DO NOT MIST, and don't wet the substrate either. Just a large water bowl and balanced ventilation.

One point that is often over looked is that the ambient temps, the air temps, are very important! Ground surface is too but air temps are just as important. They should be 80-85ºF The logic is easy the lung (the longer one) passes beside the heart liver and all the major arteries, if the air is cool the blood is cool and no amount of warm skin will off set the air temp. That is one problem of tubs they often do not hold ambient temps well and heating a whole room for a small tub is kinda over kill.

[wendhend]

I use both tanks and racks with tubs for my snakes. Once you have a large number of snakes, you pretty much have to use racks with tubs, because it's much more efficient. But it's still nice to keep the ones that you really like to look at in glass tanks. I use a very simple technique to retain humidity in my glass tanks with screen lids. I just cut a piece of attractive pleather to the size of the screen on top and lay it on. In my house, that keeps the humidity inside the tank right around 70%, just like it is inside the rack tubs (which have several holes melted on the front and back side), and everyone has good sheds. The pleather on top of the tank also doubles as a nice photo backdrop if I want to take the snake's picture.

[kevinb]

So how does flexwatt work?

Kevin Bullis