Question about new tub set up

I decided to use a tub for the first time for my new baby boa. I bought a rubbermaid tub. I have a heat pad with a thermostat set on 90. The accurite is reading 87 on the hot side and 78 on the cool side the humidity is 64%. The thing I am wondering about is the smell. I noticed that when I open the lid the plastic smell is pretty noticable is this normal. I have my ball in a neodesha and I dont get a smell like this with that cage.. There is also two plastic hides from reptile basic and a plastic water dish. Like I said this is the first time for me using a tub and just want to make sure this is a normal occurrence .
I have checked the heat pad and there is not melting or anything like that going on
Thanks
Christine

It wears off

Just out of curiosity, what temperature is the room the tub is in? Can I see a picture of the tub? I may be getting a boa next weekend and want to see others' setups. ;)

Here is my baby boa set-up. I keep the thermostat set-at 92F and the room temp around 78-80F, since they like to perch on top of the hides or on the little branch. It is a 32qt tub...

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...8/hpim0476.jpg

The picture of Vypyrz set up is the same way mine is set up I need to get some pics. I also have to keep the thermostat set at 92. It keeps the cooler side of the tub at a steady 78.The only thing I have different is that I use paper towels. When I used the aspen my humidity was going almost to 90%. As soon as I took it out it went to 74%

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Originally Posted by Christine

The picture of Vypyrz set up is the same way mine is set up I need to get some pics. I also have to keep the thermostat set at 92. It keeps the cooler side of the tub at a steady 78.The only thing I have different is that I use paper towels. When I used the aspen my humidity was going almost to 90%. As soon as I took it out it went to 74%

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I use oscillating fans for air circulation to help keep my humidity stable in the tubs. I basically have them on low speed and setting about 5-6 feet from the tubs.

very nice thread on the tubs...how long can/do you keep the boas in the 32 qt tub? and can I start a baby ( month old) in one right away?

I'm looking at doing the tub and then when old enough to get a boaphile or proline setup

oh another question how do you guys get those very neat air holes in the tub?

Thanks

Chad

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nimitz87

very nice thread on the tubs...how long can/do you keep the boas in the 32 qt tub? and can I start a baby ( month old) in one right away?

I'm looking at doing the tub and then when old enough to get a boaphile or proline setup

oh another question how do you guys get those very neat air holes in the tub?

Thanks

Chad

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Yes you can set them up in a 32 qt now. Boas don't usually get stressed about open space like BP's do. Just make sure you have 2 hides for them to use if they want to. Young boas are good climbers and like to perch, so I give them a piece of wood . Don't be suprised if you see them hanging out on their branch or on top of the hide during the day. Sometimes that is where they sleep.

When I mark the holes for my tubs, I take a ruler and slide it up under the lip to hold it steady and then I put a mark every 2 inches (just my preference), so I put a mark at 0,2,4,6,etc.. Then I slide the ruler down and line the top edge of it with the marks I just made, then I put marks on the odd numbers 1,3,5,7,etc... That is how I get that off-set look.

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...8/hpim0302.jpg

To make the holes, I use a soldering iron. They cost about $12 and you can get them at Lowes, Wal-Mart, most Hardware stores, and auto parts stores.

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...8/hpim0303.jpg

There are other ways to make the holes. Alot of people drill them. I have also heard of people heating up things like ice picks or thin Phillips screwdrivers with a candle to melt the holes...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nimitz87

very nice thread on the tubs...how long can/do you keep the boas in the 32 qt tub?

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There are basically two different recommendations on when to upgrade the size of the enclosure. The first is the length + width method. This means that when the length of the snake equals the length + width of the enclosure then its time. A 32qt tub measures about 24"L X 13"W, so if you use that method, you wouldn't need to upgrade until you boa reaches 37 inches.

The other method that some people will recommend is 1 square foot of floor space per 1 foot of snake length. The 32qt tub has just over 2 square feet of floor space in it so if you follow that one you would upgrade when your snake reaches about 26 inches.

Personally, I just use whatever number is somewhere in the middle. My Costa Rican is about 29-30 inches, so I will be moving him into a bigger tub this week...