tubs vs tanks

I have a 20gal glass tank with a screen top for my boy, who's about 210gr. It's got stuff for him to climb on, which he does use at night, and it's got a hide, and a big water bowl which he goes swimming in, and I'm using that cotton-based substrate (whatever it's called). The trouble is keeping humidity up is a pain in the ass. I have a heating pad that does the job on one side of the tank and his hide is on the other side of the tank. It's about 95/85, but I worry on cold nights his hide might get colder (sometimes I find him burrowed under the substrate on top of the hot pad in the morning like he decided it was too damn cold).

By contrast I just got a new girl, and I've got her in a tupperware tub that's plenty big for her. It's not real tall, maybe eight inches, two feet deep, and probably fourteen inches wide. She's not real big, at 370gr and she's real stocky so she's not too long. I put a towel in there for her to hide under, though she prefers to hang out on top of it, a heat pad underneath it, though she prefers not to use it, and a water bowl big enough for her to submerse herself in.

What's kicking my butt is she seems happier in her "quarantine tupperware" than my boy does in his glass tank, and now I'm starting to think I should get him a tupperware and set him up separately. She's always real calm when she goes back to the tupperware, and he's always real apprehensive when he goes back to the tank. She's always real calm when I take the lid off the tupperware, and he's always apprehensive, like I'm taking him away from his home.

I can't account for the difference in behavior. I will say this: it is far easier to clean the tupperware, to move it, it's far smaller and more manageable, and breeders use them. I can put my snakes in tupperware (all two of them) and still handle them and they won't get nippy or anything, right? And I get all the benefits of increased humidity, ease of cleaning, and a relaxed snake?

Can someone point out where I'm missing some logic here? I'd just as soon put my boy in a tub and put beardies in the tank.

I think it depends on whether your ball python is more chilled out or active, ball pythons are different so some are more active than others and seem to like exploring around their tanks, while others would be content with a tub. Perhaps try it for a month and see if there is a change in his behavior? I don't think you can say she's happier just because of the tub, it could have more to do with her personality.

My ball python is pretty active and likes to climb. He used to be in a tub but he's eaten every time I've fed him and seems to enjoy his tank, since he's a baby I think he's more curious and active. Maybe when he's older he'll chill out. I like watching him climb and stuff though, he's adorable. :)

Now, it depends on what is more convenient to you, tubs are easier than tanks but some people find them somewhat of an eye sore. Or, people who don't really know about snakes think it's abusive to just keep them in a tub. However, tubs are easier to clean and it's easier to manage humidity. Not to mention it's a lot cheaper.

I forgot to mention ball pythons aren't normally nippy, so I wouldn't think that it would provoke him to put him in a tub. He could either become more relaxed, more aggressive, refuse to eat, just act the same, etc. It all depends on the snake mostly. I'd say go for it. At least try and see which one is the preferred method.

In my experience of owning only 4 snakes (and 3 babies), I conclude that tanks are for the owner's benefit. I have tanks, not because the snake likes it better, but because I like it better. I got an "out of africa" theme going in my office. The tanks look really nice in there. So, I don't mind putting in the extra effort to maintain the tanks.

The tubs are easier to maintain but I don't like looking at it. I sure don't want some big tupperware in my office.

If you do tanks, though, you have to do it "right". A 20 gallon long tank with only one hide for a 210g bp is not a good set-up. And bp's don't need to climb. So, unless the tree is there for "clutter" (provides more security), it's not doing the snake any favors. There are tons of tricks to raise humidity in a tank. Just like there are tons of ways to make a tank provide as much security for the snake as a tub. You just have to balance out all the options to make sure you provide the snake with everything he needs - temps, water, food, humidity, security. You can't just say, hey, he's got 90/80 temps with 60% humidity and call it good.

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"What's kicking my butt is she seems happier in her "quarantine tupperware" than my boy does in his glass tank, and now I'm starting to think I should get him a tupperware and set him up separately."

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Sounds like you figured it out for yourself REALLY early on in the game.
Most people have to go through some really foolish problems before the light bulb goes off in their heads.
Huge CongraTulations.

The only drawback I can think of is reduced air circulation and increased mold due to the constantly high humidity. Oh, and some hot pads aren't rated for plastic (ZooMed, I think, is). I'm wondering if there are ways to mitigate these two things.

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Originally Posted by avriette

The only drawback I can think of is reduced air circulation and increased mold due to the constantly high humidity. Oh, and some hot pads aren't rated for plastic (ZooMed, I think, is). I'm wondering if there are ways to mitigate these two things.

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My humidity is about 50-60% at all times in my tubs - they have ventilation holes that I've put in them with a solder wand.

The heat pads NOT on a thermostat certainly aren't rated for plastic, but a heating pad should always be controlled with a thermostat, rheostat or dimmer.

My very first ball python went on extended fasts in a tank set-up, when he got switched to a tub, he ate consistently for me. Tanks in my home are for legged reptiles, tubs are for snakes.

You are thinking right, tubs are easier and better all around, just not as nice to look at.

i have mine in a tub and dont have it on a thermostat or dimmer (yet).... and haven to keep the distance between the tub and UTH right so it dont get to high.... and put wash clothes between it.... but i like what was said up there... tanks are for 4 legs...

I just set up my ball in a tub a few minutes ago :D His tank was becoming a real pain, it was heavy and couldn't hold heat or humidity.

I still set my tub up like a tank, with two hides, two water dishes(darn Alaska and our no humidity) some fake leaf plant to clutter it up a little more, and a few sheets if paper towel with some aspen sprinkled over it. So it still looks good, and he's in a sterilite tub, but I draped a blanket for now over one side to make it darker and more comfortable.