Housing in plastic 'storage' box?

[CrowxJane]

My whole housing situation has seem to go to the dogs and I need to reevaluate how Im housing my snake. Im thinking of moving her to a plastic storage container as her home, but how do I adequatly heat her without melting the plastic? And how should I ventilate it properly? Any photos or tips? Thanks!

[Aric]

My whole housing situation has seem to go to the dogs and I need to reevaluate how Im housing my snake. Im thinking of moving her to a plastic storage container as her home, but how do I adequatly heat her without melting the plastic? And how should I ventilate it properly? Any photos or tips? Thanks!

A heat pad and a thermostat will do for heat, for the ventilation, just use a soldering pencil to melt the holes. Get everything set up and running just like there was a snake in there and keep check of the humidity with a digital accurite thermometer. If its too high, then just melt a few more holes. Dont over do it the first go around, you can always add more holes but you cant remove one if it gets too low.

[Evan Jamison]

If you aren't building a rack, and if she is big enough, I would go with an Iris CB-70 tub. They are the perfect adult BP size, and have a nice sturdy snap-on lid (though I would recommend clamps around the lid for extra security). In normal room temps, you may need to heat both sides to get the right gradient, but 11" flexwatt or an UTH on one side with a good thermostat may work fine (set at 95 degrees F, you will not even be close to melting the plastic). You will be surprised you much better plastic tubs holds heat and humidity if you are switching over from a glass aquarium.


-Evan

[AzureN1ght]

I've got a few pics of my setup.





A picture of the flexwatt (heat tape) on the bottom of my tub, with the thermostat probe taped on:

[frankykeno]

You will likely find plastic so much easier than glass for ball pythons. With their need for very specific temps and humidity it really is the way to go in my opinion. We have 13 ball pythons of various ages living quite happily in their plastic homes.

You can either drill or melt vent holes in the plastic. If melting use a simple soldering wand ($6.00 at WalMart) in a well ventilated area. If drilling be careful to not split the tub or lid. Start with some holes in the lid and around the sides and see how the tub does. Put the heat under it, papertowels, hides and a full water dish on the cool side, plus the Acu-Rite and let it all sit for a few hours or a day...then you will see if you need to add more holes and get it stable before you move the snake in.

If you have an OfficeMax handy to you I'd advise you to go there and buy an Iris brand tub. They are only a few dollars more than Sterlite or Rubbermaid but in my opinion a far better quality and glass quality clear. You will need to buy some large binder clips however to make any plastic storage lid snake proof (anything more than a 1/8 inch give and your snake can squeeze out). You don't want a high tub, think floor space more than height for ball pythons.

[Blu Mongoose]

I have 3 snakes in tanks and the rest are in tubs. I will probably go to all tubs soon. They are so easy to clean and control temps. I most build a rack. The tubs would take up so little space.. I HIGHLY recommend the tubs.

[CrowxJane]

Thank you very much! What section of walmart will I find an acurite? Going out again tonight and I hope to get one.

Are you only heating the tubs with under the tank pads? Or howelse are you supplying heat? I live in a very old house and the temps. can fluctuate often.

The photos are very helpful! Hope to possibly move her soon, with my next pay check. But she is in the middle of a shed and I dont want to stress her anymore.

[frankykeno]

Tubs are extremely efficient Jane so they only need the undertank heat. Overhead bulbs even when they add extra heat tend to suck out humidity so it's always a trade off with those. With a tub you won't have that worry.

If you have any problem finding an Acu-Rite at WalMart let me know. I have a few of them so I can easily lend you one if you didn't find one tonight.

[CrowxJane]

I went to the walmart in spring meadows and they looked at me like I was bonkers, lol, today Im out to try the one in wauseon, they should have it, they have everything. What section should I look in?

[rabernet]

Look in the hardware department. It helped me to print a picture of what I was looking for.