Tanks to Tubs

[DestinyLynette]

I'm sorry I know everyone here must be really sick of me posting by now. :| I promise I try to do my own research before I post but I really like having input when I'm trying new things. << Forgive me, I promise I'll get the swing of things!

You see, I'm going from tanks to tubs... and heat mats / lamps to heat tape. I need a lot of help. I didn't even know until recently you could keep a snake in a tub. I thought it was all tanks. I want to make the switch this next week or two, and I'm ordering supplies today, and will be posting on here to (tearfully I'm sure) get help with the heat tape, which I'm kind of worried about setting up properly. But, I digress. First:

1.) How big of a tub for my 5ft female? For a male and a female under 500g? I read 41qt is standard for an adult bp. That seems so cramped! Then again, snakes like to coil up; I think I'm just used to the tank and need to get over that "bigger is better" mentality. Links to the tubs you use? I need ones with locking lids. I found a 41qt but it's only 17.5" long.. is that normal?

2.) Heat tape... I'm ordering 4" stripes from reptile basics. Will I need more than one roll to set up one adult tub and two juvvie tubs? It doesn't seem to say how many feet come in a roll.

3.) After you stick / tape heat tape, can it be moved from one tub to another- growing young'uns in mind?

4.) Will I need to order more than one of those wiring / set up sets?

5.) If I'm not mistaken, I can connect two-three sets of heat tape to one thermometer.... is this correct?

6.) Tub ventilation... just drilling holes in the side? How many? Does it matter?

7.) Do you still use hides with tubs? Seems like you wouldn't be able to fit them.

8.) Moisture in tubs- just mist n go or because of the enclosed space, is the large water dish usually enough?

9.) Once again, I apologize profusely, and I really do appreciate everyone's help.

[sho220]

I'm sorry I know everyone here must be really sick of me posting by now. :| I promise I try to do my own research before I post but I really like having input when I'm trying new things. << Forgive me, I promise I'll get the swing of things!

You see, I'm going from tanks to tubs... and heat mats / lamps to heat tape. I need a lot of help. I didn't even know until recently you could keep a snake in a tub. I thought it was all tanks. I want to make the switch this next week or two, and I'm ordering supplies today, and will be posting on here to (tearfully I'm sure) get help with the heat tape, which I'm kind of worried about setting up properly. But, I digress. First:

1.) How big of a tub for my 5ft female? For a male and a female under 500g? I read 41qt is standard for an adult bp. That seems so cramped! Then again, snakes like to coil up; I think I'm just used to the tank and need to get over that "bigger is better" mentality. Links to the tubs you use? I need ones with locking lids. I found a 41qt but it's only 17.5" long.. is that normal? My 41qt tubs are 36 inches long. What rack are you looking at getting? This will determine what tubs you use.

2.) Heat tape... I'm ordering 4" stripes from reptile basics. Will I need more than one roll to set up one adult tub and two juvvie tubs? It doesn't seem to say how many feet come in a roll. Would depend on how many feet. You'll need to find out.

3.) After you stick / tape heat tape, can it be moved from one tub to another- growing young'uns in mind? Tape gets stuck to the rack, not the tubs. The tubs just slide in on top of the tape.

4.) Will I need to order more than one of those wiring / set up sets? Again, depends on the rack.

5.) If I'm not mistaken, I can connect two-three sets of heat tape to one thermometer.... is this correct? Depends on the length of the heat tape used in each rack.

6.) Tub ventilation... just drilling holes in the side? How many? Does it matter? # doesn't matter. About 10 on each side is fine.

7.) Do you still use hides with tubs? Seems like you wouldn't be able to fit them. I will use them for younger snakes. The adults don't get hides and it doesn't seem to bother them.

8.) Moisture in tubs- just mist n go or because of the enclosed space, is the large water dish usually enough? Water dish is usually enough. I do have a mister just to hit them once in a while to bump it up if need be, or around shedding time.

9.) Once again, I apologize profusely, and I really do appreciate everyone's help. <<< The more research you do, and questions you ask, the better off you'll be. You're doing great so far.

My answers are in bold above.

[DestinyLynette]

No rack at the moment. Just tubs 3 individual tubs. As for the rack I'll get in the eventual future I don't know... Maybe AP or reptile basics?

What size is best for juveniles- 15qt?

[kitedemon]

I am guessing you are not speaking of a rack but individual tubs? I would not use TGH it is a low cost option designed for racks ultratherms (RB also carries them and do not need to be wired) are safer as the max temp is lower under a dangerous threshold. They still need to be regulated. If you have individual tubs you will need a single thermostat for each one.

The big problem with racks and tubs is control over the ambient temps the extreme range is 75-85ºF (with a hot spot) the conservative range is 78-83ºF. This is something that should be provided, UTH are radiant heat and by its nature do not heat air. That leaves an issue is your room close to the correct ambient range? there is basically no option (like lamps) for tubs. If you are currently using a lamp and UTH to control temps you will likely have big issues with tubs as well. They are the poorest insulation glass tanks insulate better.

If your room is cool (low 70s or cooler) it is likely you will need to change the room temp. Something to keep in mind.

Tanks can be easily altered to solve all of the issues they have simply by turning them on the side. Humidity and heat can easily be maintained. It is a simple solution.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...arium-Solution

[Erndogg]

1.) How big of a tub for my 5ft female? For a male and a female under 500g? I read 41qt is standard for an adult bp. That seems so cramped! Then again, snakes like to coil up; I think I'm just used to the tank and need to get over that "bigger is better" mentality. Links to the tubs you use? I need ones with locking lids. I found a 41qt but it's only 17.5" long.. is that normal?

41QT are perfect for a big female, 28qts would be fine for adult males. BPs like burrows and other cramped places in the wild, so these size tubs work wonderful.

2.) Heat tape... I'm ordering 4" stripes from reptile basics. Will I need more than one roll to set up one adult tub and two juvvie tubs? It doesn't seem to say how many feet come in a roll.

If ordering from RBI you order by the foot, so make sure you know how much you need in Feet before you order.

3.) After you stick / tape heat tape, can it be moved from one tub to another- growing young'uns in mind?

You will also need to order the foil tape to adhere the heat tape to your bins/rack. These rolls are huge, and you will no doubt have lots of left overs, so if need be you can move the heat tape around.

4.) Will I need to order more than one of those wiring / set up sets?

Depends are you planning on running one long string of heat tape, or running a piece of tape to each bin with its own power supply/thermostat. If you plan to run one long piece, you will only need wire/clip set.

5.) If I'm not mistaken, I can connect two-three sets of heat tape to one thermometer.... is this correct?

Do you mean thermometer as in just tells you the temp, or thermostat which controls how how your heat tape can get? I am going to assume you meant thermostat. In that case yes you can connect more then sting of heat tape to a power bar and have that plugged into the thermostat AS LONG AS each string of heat tape is exactly the same ie length width etc.

6.) Tub ventilation... just drilling holes in the side? How many? Does it matter?

Depends on your location, start with a few holes, and if your properly maintaining temps and humidity keep it, if your humidity and stuff is high add more holes.

7.) Do you still use hides with tubs? Seems like you wouldn't be able to fit them.

Yes, the ones from Reptile basics are perfect for it, built for tub use.

8.) Moisture in tubs- just mist n go or because of the enclosed space, is the large water dish usually enough?

This again depends on your location and humidity levels in your home. I can get by with just placing the water bowl partially on the warm end, and letting evaporation do the job.

[DestinyLynette]

http://www.amazon.com/Sterilite-4-Sh...ef=pd_sim_hg_1

Wait, could I use this to put the heat tape on and the tubs sit on it, as opposed to a full rack for the time being? With heat tape on three of the shelves?
How deep should the tubs be for a 41qt?

[DestinyLynette]

Okay, I got my tubs. I found some good sterilite ones at Wal-Mart with locking lids and a lot of floor space. Tomorrow I play to drill the holes into the sides, and set them up internally. I just need it answered as to, can I use heat tape on that shelving unit for my tubs, or if I need to stick with mats.
The ambient temp in my room stays 77 or higher

Yes earlier I meant thermostat. I don't know why I always type thermometer; I know the difference. If using heat tape and that shelving unit, I'd need it on two shelves with tape- one for my adult girl's tub, and one for the two smaller tubs for my young ones. When you say each string of tape, do you mean I have to use the same amount of tape on both shelves, or just that each strip I use to create a panel of heat on the bottom of the tubs have to be equal length? I was assuming the latter but I want to triple check.

[DestinyLynette]

Wow okay. I just watched a few videos of people wiring it; I understand a LOT better now. Definitely helped more than reading. For some reason I thought people used multiple stripes of heat tape and they just "ran together" or something... Makes a lot more sense now. Yes, will be able to use two long stripes of the same size and width; you're telling me that because of that I can plug them into a power strip and then plug that power strip into the thermostat to regular the temperature. Correct?

[kitedemon]

If the size and location and wattage are all the exact same. Even in the same rack there is variation. With individual tubs I'd not recommend it, personally. Racks can vary by 5 degrees separate tubs it is hard to say.

[sho220]

http://www.amazon.com/Sterilite-4-Sh...ef=pd_sim_hg_1

Wait, could I use this to put the heat tape on and the tubs sit on it, as opposed to a full rack for the time being? With heat tape on three of the shelves?
How deep should the tubs be for a 41qt?

I use the same type of shelf for my hatchling rack. Works fine. The only downside is that it's not as space efficient as a dedicated rack. Gets the job done just fine though.