Switching to tub.. CB-70? Heating?

[nebby3103]

Hello. I decided to switch to a tub. I would like to know if anyone knows of any stores that sell the Irsis CB-70 tubs? I only need one, so it doesn't make sense to order it online and pay shipping. If I can't find that locally, I'll just go with a Sterilite 1960. Whether I do flexwatt or a UTH, I don't know yet. Are there advantages to flexwatt over a UTH like this one: http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products...ave_desert.php? I use one of those now in my glass tank without any issues. It seems like it's almost the same thing as flexwatt.

Lastly, with an ambient room temp of ~75* will I need to flexwatt/UTH under both the warm and cool sides to achieve the proper temps in the tubs mentioned above? I have two thermostats already if I do, I just need to know how many pieces of flexwatt to buy or if I need to by another UTH. My current UTH is 11"x10.5" and 16 watts. I could buy 11"x17" if I need to... If flexwatt is preferable, where can I buy it pre-wired? Thanks.

[frankykeno]

If you have an OfficeMax nearby give them a phone call. They may not know it as Iris CB-70 but give them the dimensions (17.75 wide x 33.5 long x 6 high) and see if they stock that particular size. Our local OfficeMax here in Toledo stocks a good range of Iris brand tubs and will order me any size or quantity that I need.

[nebby3103]

I live in West Lafayette, IN, and the nearest Office Max is about 40 miles away in Danville, IL :eek:. Anyway, Office Depot has them and it's about 1/10 as far. Thanks.

[muddoc]

That tub is also called a 9 1/4 gallon Iris. An UTH works just as good as Flexwatt. The only reason people use flexwatt is because of its flexibility (by flexible I don't mean it bends) in design applications. By that I mean no matter what kind of rack or cage you build, you can put flexwatt on it and then wire them together if need be. Your UTH with a thermostat or rheostat will work fine.

[nebby3103]

Ok then. It's decided. By next week I'll have a tub all ready to go.

Iris CB-70 tub
Exo-Terra UTH (16W, ~11"x11") under the warm side; thermostat controlled
Nothing under the cool side

And the usual bowl, hides and whatnot inside. I guess if it doesn't heat the cool side up enough I can buy another UTH.

Do I need clips or something or is the lid of this tub secure enough?

[nebby3103]

One more question: how much of the bottom of the tub should the "hot side" acutally be? 1/4? 1/3? 1/2?

[LadyOhh]

Enough that your snake can cram itself on and be in the warm spot completely.


I would say less than 1/4th, but that would work.

[frankykeno]

Hard to say but maybe about 1/3, then the next 1/3 (the middle bit) would be the mid-zone with the last 1/3 being the warm side. Yes you do need clips to keep that lid secure. Anything more than about 1/8" give will allow the snake to sneek out. We just had a huge scare last week when our 3,000 gram plus female snake, Brannagh, got out. I would have sworn her lid could not possibly have enough give to allow this and she's been in that tub for the better part of 2 years but the big goof managed it. Thank gawd for a secure snake room but you can bet your last buck she's got more clips on that lid now than before. If you don't own one, you might want to pick up a cheap (around $6.00 or less) soldering wand to melt in your vent holes.

Once you have all your supplies, set the tub up with heat source running, substrate of choice, hides, full water dish...basically the whole deal without the snake. Let it sit for 48 hours and watch how the tub settles. Then you can do whatever tweaking you need prior to putting the snake in there.

[Kagez28]

you can buy those black binder clips that will snap onto the lid and make it more secure

[jhall1468]

I don't have an office max or depot anywhere near me, but you can order them online as well: http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=184327.