Should I Switch to a Tub?

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Originally Posted by LittleTreeGuy

I have limited experience with tubs, but have found that ambient room temps are key with tubs. If your ambient room temps are below 75F, you're better off going with something else.

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So you're looking at some kind of an oil heater in that case?

I have used oil heaters that have their own thermostat to raise ambient room temp.

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Originally Posted by Jeanne

I have used oil heaters that have their own thermostat to raise ambient room temp.

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I'm currently using a heater to bump up ambient temperatures,but I want to be independent from it since it does require a substantial amount of power.

A lot of people here recommend space heaters, but IMHO it's crazy to heat a whole room with a space heater just to heat one single enclosure that is a tiny fraction of the total volume being heated; especially when you're talking about heating the whole room by at least 15°. But regardless, insulating is critical to heating efficiently. The plastic that tubs are made of insulates a little bit better than the glass that tanks are made of, but the walls are way too thin to really be that great at insulating by themselves. It's probably easier to cover a tank in foam board insulation than a tub, because the tank has flat sides with square corners, but you can certainly insulate either one.

RHP's are expensive, but they are cheaper than running a 1200-watt space heater for a couple of months, let alone for *years*.

Along similar lines, you can also use a UTH stuck to the side of the tank rather than to the bottom. You still need to regulate it, but since it has no substrate over it to trap heat, it will not get nearly as hot as one on the bottom of the tank that is covered; and it will heat the actual air, too. The usual disclaimer applies though - make sure you actually check the temperature and make sure it isn't hot enough to burn, rather than just taking someone's word for it on the internet.

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Originally Posted by Coluber42

you can also use a UTH stuck to the side of the tank rather than to the bottom..

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This ^^
This is what I ment in my previous comment where the UTH goes up the sides as well. Works wonders for ambient temps

Go get yourself a nice AP or vision cage. All the time and effort you put into making a fish tank with a screen top into a suitable enclosure for a snake isn't worth it. I think there needs to be a sticky on this for new people, the screen top tanks pet stores sell for snakes are trash For keeping heat humidity and keeping a snake in for that matter. They can work the edges of the screens and eventually rip right through. You are better off in a tub or rack and if you want something that you can see the snake in go check out something like I mentioned earlier. AP cages look great and keep heat and humidity perfect.


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Originally Posted by Rob

Go get yourself a nice AP or vision cage. All the time and effort you put into making a fish tank with a screen top into a suitable enclosure for a snake isn't worth it. I think there needs to be a sticky on this for new people, the screen top tanks pet stores sell for snakes are trash For keeping heat humidity and keeping a snake in for that matter. They can work the edges of the screens and eventually rip right through. You are better off in a tub or rack and if you want something that you can see the snake in go check out something like I mentioned earlier. AP cages look great and keep heat and humidity perfect.


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I intend on upgrading to a pvc cage by the end of this year. I do not see my snake ripping through my top since it's more or less wire, but I do agree that the pet store tanks are terrible for keeping humidity in. The only reason I may consider to use the tank is that it came with the snake, so may as well try to work with it.

I have to say it kind of bugs me that the people here always try to convert those who came into the hobby to keep a pet properly displayed in a nice glass enclosure into using a $7 tub from Walmart.

I find it no challenge at all to maintain heat and humidity in a glass tank. But then again I did my research well before buying.

My guy comes to the glass almost every time we go upstairs and check up on him.

Breeders use racks, any other hobby I have been involved in...we've proudly displayed our animals.

Such a strange hobby...

IMO there are some reptiles that are fine to keep in glass "display" enclosures, but I think my ball pythons prefer the tubs. They're much better at holding temp/humidity. The snakes feel less exposed, especially in a closed rack. Plus the tubs are much easier to clean than tanks, which is a great bonus for me!

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In all fairness, if I added 5-6 snakes I would have to look into an alternate system. But for 1-2-3 snakes, I think I could stick with my current method. I seem to be able to control humidity quite well with cypress mulch and moss. Maybe I'm just lucky.