Sterilite plastic tubs/containers?

Its fine to sand the holes a little. Smoother the better for the snake. I use Aspen but will probably switch over to paper towls or newspaper.

I had to sand the holes on my tubs. Not all were rough, but enough were that I just took a few quick swipes over the holes with sand paper. It has a slightly more opaque area where I sanded but I can see the snakes just fine. We are using newspaper for our substrate right now.
Are paper towels being recommended because they absorb better? If so I might have to switch over. :)

I still haven't decided what to use for substrate.. i've always liked using aspen (feels more natural?)

So is there a thermostat that i can plug multiple heat mats into? i will have four tubs so four heat mats, Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Carlene16

I still haven't decided what to use for substrate.. i've always liked using aspen (feels more natural?)

So is there a thermostat that i can plug multiple heat mats into? i will have four tubs so four heat mats, Thanks!

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The use the blue scott paper towels , IMO theyre more absorbent than reg paper towels or unprinted newspaper. I dislike any type of loose substrate.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Carlene16

So is there a thermostat that i can plug multiple heat mats into? i will have four tubs so four heat mats, Thanks!

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Plug in matts or flexwatt?
I wire flexwatt wired up inline and use 1 plugin.
With each matt having it's own plu get a 6 plug in strip and plug it into the t-stat and plug all of the matts into it.
Tape the t-stat probe against one of the pads and a thermometer probe inside the tub over the hot spot and turn up the heat till your hot spot is 90-92 degrees.

i think i might have to switch my substrate of choice! Is there any problem with paper towel?

And I think I'll be going with heat mats, so ill buy a thermostat like this...
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

then get a power strip and then what? sorry if you have to dumb this down im trying to picture it in my head and its not working.

4 heat matts like a zoo-med large pads= $80 + ship

http://www.amazon.com/ReptiTherm%C2%...ref=pd_sim_k_4

4 pieces of flexwatt = $15 + ship
http://store.beanfarm.com/product_in...oducts_id=5569

IMO heat matts are a waste of $$

I can't vouch for that cheap t-stat, I use repti-temp 500R's and johnson controls A419 and Herpstats.

I currently have 4 snakes housed in stand alone tubs. I use aspen for substrate, mainly because it allows me to spot clean, as opposed to completely changing out substrate every time they pee. But that is just me. I would suggest using something like binder clips, luggage straps or bungee cord to help keep the lid secure in the center. That way your snake can't force the lid up near the center and escape through the gap. I am also using a Herpstat Pro thermostat, mainly because once my snakes outgrow their tubs, they will be moved into their permanent BoaMaster enclosures...

How do you use the flexwatt? I noticed it's much cheaper, but you need a clip and a cord also? I don't really understand that. Now I understand the whole mat thing, but they are quite expensive compared to the flexwatt.

Flexwatt comes with pretty simple instructions on how to wire them all together.
Heat pads by zoo-med and other pre-made heat pads are a total waste of money IMO

Order the flexwatt and get some wire from the hardware store and if you have issues with wiring it together there is many people on here with plenty of experience that I've no doubt would be happy to help you, including myself.