Cheap Reptile Terrarium

in most cases, everyone finally gives in and decides that tubs are the answer - it took me a while too - i use 25 quart sterilites with locking lids about 10 bucks for youngs, juvy's and subadults with dual side hides - aspen is not necessary - paper is fine - balls really dont care as they do not burrow - i use big apples bah1000 tstat about 40 bucks and their intellitemp mats about 25 bucks - THEY WILL NOT GET OVER MID NINETIES - even if plugged directly in wall so no melting issues - i put them inside tub - and use a plastic oscar meyer sandwhich meat container (thin plastic) for water and set it directly on the heat mat - every time it heats it is creating humidity - i can maintain 55% humidity with this setup - also the bah1000 can power multiple mats - it works for me perfectly

paper towels are perfect especially on a budget. if you want aesthetics i use aspen wroks great for me.

paper towels are not a great substrate, they can easily stick to damp prey items and be ingested as well. My vet has done 3 operations to remove paper towels from snakes insides and only one survived. Just a word of caution.

Tubs are certainly not the only option, they are one of many methods and like all others have pros and cons. The biggest issue is they are a very poor option for normal room temps, they simply do not hold heat well at all. I find it bothersome that someone will trade in a tank to fix humidity issues and end up with much more serious heating issues.

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

Tubs are certainly not the only option, they are one of many methods and like all others have pros and cons. The biggest issue is they are a very poor option for normal room temps, they simply do not hold heat well at all. I find it bothersome that someone will trade in a tank to fix humidity issues and end up with much more serious heating issues.

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thats good to know, ive never heard about the heat issue with them, although now that its stated it makes perfect sense

It is easy to prove just place your hand behind a lid and check the temp where you hand is and then remove it and see how fast it drops. I have heavy blue lids and starting at 70º get to 90º and back down to 70º in under 4 mins. That is very poor insulation, in cool rooms you need something that is slower than that. I have purpose built enclosures that take hours to drop from 90 to 80 with no power.

Well i have time yet since im saving the money i need for one i noticed there are some cages made with wood too

Isn't melamine toxic?

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

It is easy to prove just place your hand behind a lid and check the temp where you hand is and then remove it and see how fast it drops. I have heavy blue lids and starting at 70º get to 90º and back down to 70º in under 4 mins. That is very poor insulation, in cool rooms you need something that is slower than that. I have purpose built enclosures that take hours to drop from 90 to 80 with no power.

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How much would a custom enclosure run a guy? I'm trying to move away from tubs.

If you burn it it is. I don't believe so for normal usage. The particle board it is often attached to (melamine is just the plastic stuff on the out side) is toxic with prolonged contact for people snakes are not but in the void of real information I'd assume that if it is bad for people it is bad for snakes. It is not often used bare but sealing the corners and gaps if the animal has direct contact isn't a bad idea. particle board sucks when wet anyway so if nothing more keeping liquids out is a good plan.