Switching Enclosures

i am choosing switch from my rubbermaid container (as you guys from probably seen from my other threads "Rate My Enclosure!!) to a 20 gallon L aquarium. what do you guys think? my snake is less than a year old and is (im guessing) more than 14" long. I think i should switch enclosures because that one that i have now, isnt very big and he doesnt have much room to explore, and more importantly his water bowl is so big that it takes up half of the container, which lets me only have ONE hide and thats on the warm side. By switching to a 20 gallon L aquarium, i think my snake will have more room to move around, be able to have 2 hides on warm side and cool side, be able to fit my big water dish and ill be able to place some branches for him to climb. As for heating goes, i will still use my heating pad. WOuld me heating pad be enough to properly keep my 20 g tank at 90-92 degrees??? or would i need a heat lamp to compliment the UTH??? as for thermometers, should i get a digital one that displays BOTH temp. and humidty in one??? or just 2 regular thermometers and a hydrometer???? please help me :) thoughts/comments/concerns/advice/response are ALL appreciated thank you.

this is the first thread i've seen where someone is switching from a tub to a tank.

Well...you could always switch to a slightly bigger tub or, as I think a few people suggested in your "Rate My Enclosure" thread--just use a smaller water bowl. If you did that, two hides would be possible... I don't think that switching to a tank is strictly necessary...but ultimately, I guess that's your decision. If you prefer tank asthetics and are prepared to tweak it to get the right heat gradient and humidity, then I don't see why not.

:( ive been getting replies saying not to change to a tank on another forum too... is it that bad of an idea???? :confused: :confused: why are tanks hated so much for?? should i just buy a bigger rubbermaid container then??

Switching from a tub to a tank should not be a problem as long as the requirements for temps and humidity are met.


He may stop feeding for 3 or 4 weeks do to the change, but thats to be expected. alot of people keep their reptiles in aquariums so they can watch them. nothing wrong with that! :)

Good luck.

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Originally Posted by SnakeLos

:( ive been getting replies saying not to change to a tank on another forum too... is it that bad of an idea???? :confused: :confused: why are tanks hated so much for?? should i just buy a bigger rubbermaid container then??

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I think what it is, is people like tubs because they're lightweight, easy to clean, and they keep humidity really well. People with tanks have to do a lot of modifying the tank and sometimes misting a few times a day to keep their humidity stable.

It's really a personal choice, and how much work you're willing to put in to make sure that the tank is a safe, well-maintained environment. For me, I'll stick with tubs :) But many people keep snakes in tanks--so the choice is up to you.

i didnt want to make a new thread so ill bump my old thread... so ive decided to go along and switch from the rubbermaid to the tank... im going out tonite to pick up a 15 gallon L tank (pjs pet center) and a thermometer/hygrometer (canadian tire), i also picked up 2 new identical hides for him yesterday... and on the weekend ill grab him some repti-carpet and coconut husk (would coconut husk, the where you u have to soak it in water to expand, be healthy for a baby BP?)..... anyway my concern is actually how long i should leave him there for... i have had him in the rubbermaid for about 5 days now (got him on sunday)... when i place him in the tank how long should i leave him there alone for before handling him to lower his stress?? also how long should i wait to feed him a live rat pup (would that be suitable for a baby BP) because yesterday i tried feeding him a f/t fuzzy but he wouldnt eat it????

you should not handle him for a couple days to around week and then try feeding again.

if youre going to get a 15 gal tank youll probably have to spend more money later on to upgrade to a bigger size tank when the snake grows. if you havent bought a tank yet it would be a good idea to stick with rubbermaids and go with a bigger size(for reasons mentioned by azureN1ght). rubbermaids hold humidity a lot better and humidity is a very important factor to your snakes health. it is very possible to keep humidity up in a glass aquarium but it is going to take a little more work.
just a suggestion.

i understand the humidity concerns but i think i will take that extra responsibility to give him a good environment... i dont mind putting in that extra work in order for him to be more comfortable :P if i did i prolly wouldnt have gotten a pet ... thanks for the advice tho :sweeet:

See, I'm just having a hard time thinking like a snake. In my mind, I think the snake would rather be in a tank and be able to see out better rather than feeling all cooped up and walled in with a tub. Do they seriously either not care, or prefer to be in a tub? I understand that snakes are not really social creatures, but it just seems strange to me that they would enjoy being in an opaque tub. I almost feel bad that my tank setup is in a room that gets very little traffic. Help me out with the ideas behind what a snake thinks!:snake: