Help with tub set up! I hate the tank!

I am a big fan of professionally built racks. I have a freedom breeder style rack, and a few pvc racks. I really like both. If you are going for heat and humidity, then the pvc racks are perfect. You will probably have too much humidity. A few holes melted into the sides and front of the rack will fix that.
Another reason that I like the pvc racks, is that they will last a lot longer than wood racks. If you think about it, wood mixed with humidity for a long period of time is going to start to rot. PVC is not going to do that.
There are a lot of companies that make pvc racks. I have personally bought from reptilebasics.com. They make really nice ones. The main reason that I chose them over the other companies, is that everything is included even shipping. The only thing that you have to buy is a digital thermostat, to control the heat.
I would suggest buying the 32qt rack. Some people keep all of their ball pythons in these tubs. I personally switch my big females into CB70 tubs. I keep all of my adult males in 32 qt tubs. You can also keep hatchlings in these tubs. They sell a tub divider, so you could keep 2 hatchlings in one tub.
I personally use disposable cage liners as substrate. You can use whatever you like. Most people use newspaper. I like the disposable cage liners, because they soak up really well, and are extremely easy to clean.
Make sure you have a heavy water bowl, because they will definitely tip them over. I use the 5" ceramic bowls. They are heavy and are rarely tipped over.
I do not use hide boxes, because the tubs are tight and dark, so I do not feel that they need the hides. A lot of my snakes will burrow under the cage liner.
Hope that answers you questions. :cool:

same with me
i do not use hides either

but i built my first one just cause i only needed 4 shelves cause i wont have more snakes than that for a while

i plan on buying my next though

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Originally Posted by atp151415

I hope u have some sort of t-stat

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Got it covered. Bought a line wired t-stat from home depot and am in the process of having a friend hardwire it for me with a probe. In the meanwhile I'm using a rheostat and a digital thermometer to check temps. I put it on medium and it holds perfectly.

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Originally Posted by atp151415

same with me
i do not use hides either

but i built my first one just cause i only needed 4 shelves cause i wont have more snakes than that for a while

i plan on buying my next though

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Is there a reason not to use hides in your opinion? I mean does it do them harm to give them a hide or two?

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Originally Posted by bsd13

Is there a reason not to use hides in your opinion? I mean does it do them harm to give them a hide or two?

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No it does not harm them, all of mine are offered hides, whether they are in a rack or not.

hides offer security, if they are not eating, it is because they dont feel secure enough, so then you must have a hide

my pastel is in a 15 qt and goes under the newspaper when he wants just like a hide
he has never refused a meal for me the whole time ive had him so there is no reason to put a hide in there, plus the rack is darker in the back then the front so it makes him
feel secure

if he wouldnt eat for me, then yes i would put a hide in there

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Originally Posted by atp151415

oh, btw, the pegboard sits on top of the flexwatt so easy sliding the tubs out and no hard times pulling them

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That's a great idea!! :gj:

thanks, wasnt really my idea though lol

it was a friend of mines idea
www.davisconstrictors.com

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Originally Posted by atp151415

no problem, as long as the heating element is hooked up to a rheostat (dimmer), or a thermostat, it is fine with the plastic tubs, because if not hooked up, the temp will get high and melt the plastic.
heres my rack that costed 30 bucks to build (not including flexwatt, thermostat, and tubs.
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/b...5/DSCI0120.jpg
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/b...5/DSCI0123.jpg

heres a pic of the lock i made so my two year old bro couldnt pull the tub out if he happened to get into my room
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/b...5/DSCI0001.jpg

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So Crazy!! I am building the EXACT same rack tomorrow without ever seeing this post before when i was planning for it.

Quick question tho: which direction did u place the flexwatt - across the back under the tubs, or like on one end?

I used to have the same problem with the tank. I switched my baby ball to a 15qt tub early last week and i'm so glad I did. I use a UTH under his water dish to keep the humidity up and different lamps above his tub to keep the temp regular. I can tell he's a lot more comfortable than what he was in the tank.