got a 50 qt tub...now what?

[python baller]

just got a 50qt tote to convert into a house for my full grown female bp. i also got a cheap soldering iron to make some air holes. i have some questions...

how should i heat it? a uth and no heat lamp?

it has 2 slidable locking tabs on each end. how do i make it closed securely?

[python baller]

also, would a normal household bulb work for heat or should i get a "reptile basking lamp"?

[python baller]

bought a different tote, this one is just right. got an uth and a thermostat, now i'm stuck figuring out how to keep the damn thing closed. i got some big plastic clamps thinking they would work...nope.

any suggestions?

[Smith285]

I don't have any tubs (yet) but I know a lot of people use bungee cords, but I've heard of big snakes being able to push up corners to escape, so maybe put a heavy book on the sides and bungee cords in the middle

[python baller]

well, i went back to the 50qt. put some airholes around the top and this one has some better locking tabs on the ends. i found some smaller bungee cords to fit across the middle, went to the basement for some ideas and saw these laying around. if she ever got out, my wife would have a heart attack.

i have a small uth that i just bought for 10-20gal tanks. i guess this should work fine? it will fit across almost 1/2 the tub and hopefully will be my only heatsource. i also got a repistat and a thermometer w/ probe. i having trouble keeping the heat up in the tank already so i'm going to try a tub.

[waltah!]

You can use large binder clips on the sides to make it more escape proof. You can pick em up at Walmart, Staples, Office Max......near the envelopes and office supplies.

[python baller]

You can use large binder clips on the sides to make it more escape proof. You can pick em up at Walmart, Staples, Office Max......near the envelopes and office supplies.

yeah, i might go w/ those instead later. the bungee cords are sorta ghetto looking.

ok, got the tub ready and the heat pad installed. i had the thermo probe outside on the pad directly at 1st but figured it's kinda pointless that way. pad is reading like 140+ degrees full blast (i have a stat on high) and a thermometer sitting atop the bedding over the pad was only reading about 86. i thought i would have to turn the stat down but i'm only getting 86 degrees?

i now put the probe on the inside right atop the pad and covered w/ bedding. i will wait and see what the temp reads then. i hope this tub thing works as i'm starting to not like the tank.

[Oxylepy]

You know what will work better than bungee cords? Vinyl straps like the ones you had on your backpack as a kid. Just get clips and sections of strap (usually come in 60" sections, I think) and use that. Easy and it doesn't stretch so it will have a firm hold.

[python baller]

You know what will work better than bungee cords? Vinyl straps like the ones you had on your backpack as a kid. Just get clips and sections of strap (usually come in 60" sections, I think) and use that. Easy and it doesn't stretch so it will have a firm hold.

yes, those would be definitely better looking than those cords. where would i get the vinyl straps?

i have run into a problem w/ the tub. the absolute lowest thermostat setting (one turn from being shut off) still gives out 105 degree heat on the tub bottom. the bedding will only help out until the snake eventually touches the bottom. could i offset this by adding a couple layers of newspaper?

[blackcrystal22]

yes, those would be definitely better looking than those cords. where would i get the vinyl straps?

i have run into a problem w/ the tub. the absolute lowest thermostat setting (one turn from being shut off) still gives out 105 degree heat on the tub bottom. the bedding will only help out until the snake eventually touches the bottom. could i offset this by adding a couple layers of newspaper?

What type of thermostat are you using?
They should be able to go down much lower than that.