sterilite containers

I notice a lot of ball python owners use simple sterilite containers for caging. I was wondering how secure are these tubs? I do know that the snake especially BPS are extremely happy when they feel more secured.

I haven't had any issue with any of my snakes escaping from the tubs. Depending on how you have them set up, they typically come with locking lids (or if on some racks, make sure they sit snug enough with the shelf), and have a sort of lip around them that prevents a proper sized gap from opening, if the snake ever pushes (none of mine have). This is experience with BPs, a very young burm, a rainbow boa, a baby dumerils, and a very tiny children's python (Who sometimes hangs out at the top near the lid, but has never been able to find a way out.

Ok I just want to make sure my snake can't escape! Also can I use a UTH to heat up the tub, and just hook it up to my rheostat? I know that some have had issues with rheostats, but I have not. I think its because I know the accurute temps of my room. Once when I save money I would love to get a rack system with a thermostat, but I've got other things to pay for at the moment, and I no longer want my snake housed in a glass container. Please all comments are welcome expect mean ones:oops:

Yes you can use a UTH to heat up a tub. You just need something to regulate the UTH with. I use bungee straps on my tub to ensure that the snake cannot escape.

Mine have the locking lids, and I use binder clips along the unsecured front'back sides. I've seen people also use luggage straps which work just as well.

x2 bungee cords!

I had my little baby sand boa escape and since then I have used bungee with no problems.

Rheostats work really well as long as your room temps are completely stable. One of the breeders near me uses only rheostats and almost never changes them but his rooms are at 80º and change only a degree here and there. If you have variable room temps rheostats need to be adjusted as soon as the room does. It generally creates a seesaw effect temps too high, adjust, too low, adjust,and back to too high. Just be aware of that problem especially using tubs! They have no thermal mass to create a buffer between the heat and the snake, if the heat pad is at hits 99 the tub will be 99 a second later, unlike a tank that takes 2 or 3 min to alter. Sudden spikes can cause issues in tubs that are not noticed with other systems. Tubs are difficult to get a true thermal gradient in tanks are not so difficult due to the way glass heats and cools temperature gradients becomes much more difficult. I have not managed a gradient in my rack I only have a hot spot and a cool spot no real gradient.

I use luggage straps to secure the lids.

well I made my own rack and everything was perfect for months and then I bought a baby pied .... put him in his own tub and 12 hours later he was gone!!! I had left too big (talking millimeters here) of an opening inbetween the shelves and the tubs. So all little BPs get lids and then they go lidless...

So is it more difficult to maintain basking, cool side, and ambient temps in tubs? :confused: