how to setup a plastic tub for a ball python

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Originally Posted by Chase13

The snake is going to have the same needs in a tub as in a tank. The only thing is mabey not as many hides because a tub can act as a hide. Itll need a substrate, hide, water, controlled heat, everything. Try the caresheets that bp.net offers.

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We only use tubs outside of racks during quarantine. However, when we use them, we do not put in hides. Instead, we have used plastic spary paint to paint the outside of 3 sides of these tubs with dark color (black or green is what we use). Of course, we clean these real well after we paint them and let them dry/air out. This has worked very well for us. It makes the tub more like a rack and we find less stress when we do move the snakes to a rack. I do want to emphasize that we use a tub size that "fits" the size of ball python we are housing - too large of tubs create problems, IMHO.

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Originally Posted by Alice

We only use tubs outside of racks during quarantine. However, when we use them, we do not put in hides. Instead, we have used plastic spary paint to paint the outside of 3 sides of these tubs with dark color (black or green is what we use). Of course, we clean these real well after we paint them and let them dry/air out. This has worked very well for us. It makes the tub more like a rack and we find less stress when we do move the snakes to a rack. I do want to emphasize that we use a tub size that "fits" the size of ball python we are housing - too large of tubs create problems, IMHO.

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So what should I do? Get a smaller tub, or get a 10 gal until it gets old enough?
And also I am having so much confusion with heating.. I would need a UTH and a lamp on one side so the temps are about 90? and on the cool side, have nothing so the temps are about 80? and connect this to a thermostat? I'm sorry I'm new to all of this ball python stuff, I have been doing research I just dot know how to set it all up.

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Originally Posted by Bright202

So what should I do? Get a smaller tub, or get a 10 gal until it gets old enough?
And also I am having so much confusion with heating.. I would need a UTH and a lamp on one side so the temps are about 90? and on the cool side, have nothing so the temps are about 80? and connect this to a thermostat? I'm sorry I'm new to all of this ball python stuff, I have been doing research I just dot know how to set it all up.

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I would get a smaller tub - we use shoe box size for hatchlings. They can live in this size for 3-4 months at least. Remember, ball pythons need small enclosures to feel safe. If you get a ten gallon, make sure you fill it with things (crumbled up newspaper, etc.) so it can hide.

IMHO, you don't need a light, just an UTH that is controlled by a thermostat. Whether you need another UTH for the cool side (set at a cooler temp) is dependent on the room and ambient temps. Only you can figure that out by testing the cool side with the probe from your thermostat. We keep our house at 82 degrees so we seldom need anything for the cool side of our quarantine tubs.

Good luck! Let us know how you end up setting it up. Don't hesitate to ask more questions if you don't understand . . . .

Cool, another home at 82...now I don't feel like a sadist. :)

Anyway, The kind of enclosure you get depends heavily on your cleaning and looking preferences. I have a 3 month old in a 20L tank with three sides covered, two same hides, and plenty of foliage to hide in and she loves it. Tanks are harder to clean and take up a bit more space, but I love the way it looks and that I can watch her as she cruises at night. Many people here advocate tubs, and I in fact use one as her feeding/holding enclosure as I clean her tank, but in the end it's up to what you want to work with.

Always remember, tho, that no matter what you choose, make sure the enclosure is the right size for the snake!! If you aren't sure that what you got/have is too big, then have a smaller back up in case the snake doesn't like it. I personally had a 10gal ready to go if Nagini was too stressed in the 20L, but she likes it, so I used the 10 to get a corn snake :D

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Originally Posted by Argentra

Cool, another home at 82...now I don't feel like a sadist. :)

Anyway, The kind of enclosure you get depends heavily on your cleaning and looking preferences. I have a 3 month old in a 20L tank with three sides covered, two same hides, and plenty of foliage to hide in and she loves it. Tanks are harder to clean and take up a bit more space, but I love the way it looks and that I can watch her as she cruises at night. Many people here advocate tubs, and I in fact use one as her feeding/holding enclosure as I clean her tank, but in the end it's up to what you want to work with.

Always remember, tho, that no matter what you choose, make sure the enclosure is the right size for the snake!! If you aren't sure that what you got/have is too big, then have a smaller back up in case the snake doesn't like it. I personally had a 10gal ready to go if Nagini was too stressed in the 20L, but she likes it, so I used the 10 to get a corn snake :D

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I guess a 10 gal will work, and i can use the tub for feeding?
but how much is a 10 gallon worth these days, mind you i live in Canada.