my first post w/pics.. DUW

Also, to mention one more thing about why NOT to keep them outside. IF the sun hit the tank, those snakes would bake. Glass will magnify the heat and create a microwave effect.

All of my snakes are kept in tub enclosures. They eat regularly, shed perfectly, are not stressed and the temps and humidity are SO easy to maintain.

If you went to WalMart, you would need:
-Sterilite 15qt tub w/ lid(the clearview type at Target are nice and are as clear as glass), $4 (two of them if you want the enclosures identical, which would be MUCH easier on you and the snakes).
-Binder clips or a small package of small bungee cords to keep lid on, $2-$3
-water bowl, $1-$2
-Plastic planter saucers(the saucer that sits underneath the pot to catch water) you need two of these, they are usually around 50 cents apiece. Cut a hole in the side of both of them and place them upside down.
-Digital thermometer, Acu-Rite brand $11.88(two of them, one for each enclosure)
-Small soldering wand for putting air holes in the tub, $3-$4
-Roll of foil tape to adhere the flexwatt to the tubs, just in case something gets bumped, $6

Then, at www.reptilebasics.com, you would need:
-2ft of 11" flexwatt or call Rich and tell him what your setup is like. He will wire it for you.
-Johnson Controls or Ranco thermostat, $75

I can easily take pictures of my baby setups for you, so you will have a reference. I find it much easier to know what I'm looking for if I have pictures. You could easily get 2 setups for under $90, depending on how you shop. That size tub will be good until the snakes reach about 500-700g(or a year old). Then you could bump them both up to 32qt tubs, which are around $4 apiece or $6.99 for the Clearview ones(I would know, I've bought ENOUGH of them, LOL).

Hope this helps and let me know if you need pictures.

This one was home built by another forum member and I purchased it off of him. Keep in mind, those are full grown BPs in there... and you won't need tubs that size for awhile. You could get smaller tubs for the time being, and then wait to get a rack and all when they get bigger.

And sure! You can still put decorations in the tubs! I just chose not to... that's all about your preference.

yeah, thats what i was saying... to lift it off the other, hey with bins that short and inexpensive i can get more snakes :D lol, now that ive been burned like this it will be awhile before we "Add" and it will be once i save up some money for something cool, maybe a pastel or something to that effect. at least im not feeling so horrible about the whole buying another expensive set up! i dont even need the cast iron stand anymore (it wouldnt fit those bins) hmmm to think what we could put those bins on...

LOL sounds like you've already caught the bug. Already looking at some morphs, eh? :D

Once you get to that point, it's not difficult to build a rack at home. I built one this weekend and the materials cost less than 50 dollars, and I have room for probably 30 snakes. You can see ones people have bought or made in the caging forum.

PERFECT!!! thank you so much for the shopping list, that will most certainly come in handy. i do think i would "splurge" lmao! and get the more clear bins. and for the binder clips i have some here as a matter of fact! i will have to take pics tonight of what we do.. and let you know what the shop owner says about taking the 20gal back.

Target should have those Clearview storage tubs. The numbers are 1756 and 1956 I think. The 15qt tubs would be perfect and shouldn't be more than $3.99. You can use newspaper or aspen for substrate, I just prefer newspaper or kraft paper because when it's clean, it's clean :)

Great thanks.. im not so bummed out and pissed anymore.. just wait till this guys shop opens at noon, oh hell no! and yes ive been looking at those morphs, i think they are way awesome!! it just kills me, they use the uvb bulbs at their shop, have all glass enclosures, keep the babys and juviniles together, exc.. grrrr!!!!! guess ill be looking into another "supplier"

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AshleyB

how does the UTH not melt the plastic? its warm/hot? (insert puzzled face) ive been advised to get a thermostat too, lordy lordy if only id known

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Consider that you only want the UTH to heat the inside to 92-94 degrees, that's not warm enough to melt plastic.

UTH'S should always be kept on a thermostat, or they can and will reach temps in the 120's.

Here's what I house my babies in:

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...b/BabyRack.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...ub/BabyTub.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...b/BabyTub2.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...b/PretzelA.jpg

Those are 15 quart tubs, $3 at Dollar General, ventilation holes soldered in the sides. The first picture was taken when they were temporarily being heated with a human heat pad set on the lowest setting (any higher gets too hot), with NO AUTO-OFF feature. I was waiting on an order of Flexwatt (UTH) and a thermostat to come in.

In the second picture above, you can see the AcuRite Digital thermometer, that you can get at Walmart for $12.

This is another picture of it:
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...t/Acu-Rite.jpg

The hide on the right side of the picture, in the pictures above is a plastic flower pot saucer with an entrance soldered out. Remember that ball pythons thrive in small tight spaces. Shortly after these pictures were taken, the green hide was removed and replaced with an identical flower pot saucer hide, since the green hide was too big, and it was never utilized by the snake.

As to tacky - for me, it's not about looks, it's about providing the best possible environment for each of my kiddos. For me, tubs work best at maintaining proper temps, humidity, and sense of security that my snakes need. Ball pythons make poor display snakes, since they spend most of their time in their hides.

Plus, I don't find my set-ups to be tacky. :)

Here's how some of my juvie's are set-up:
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...Tub/Setup3.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...Tub/Setup1.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...aEnclosure.jpg

Sounds like you got some killer advice here! That is why this forum is the best...

You've also learned a valuable lesson about what pet shops don't know..A lot! :)

Wow, awesome pics, Robin! :rockon: