Thinking about ditching the tank and getting a tub

I will setup my acurite tomorrow to measure my tank's humidity but I feel it is low plus the fact Tuna is experiencing a bad shed.
I'm thinking about moving her to a tub and I have a few questions.

Would it improve the humidity if I don't have or plan on getting a rack to place the tub in? I would transfer my UTH from the tank to the tub.

Since the tub will probably be smaller, what kind of items should I place in it besides the hide and substrate?

Any other tips, suggestions or ideas are welcome.

The tub will definitely retain more humidity because there is less ventilation than in a tank, whether it's in a rack or not. With the tub you want substrate and a water dish at bare minimum (if it's an opaque tub the hides aren't completely necessary) and if you can afford the space, a hide on the cool end and the warm end. The same heat gradient and husbandry should be maintained :)

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Originally Posted by Alexandra V

The tub will definitely retain more humidity because there is less ventilation than in a tank, whether it's in a rack or not. With the tub you want substrate and a water dish at bare minimum (if it's an opaque tub the hides aren't completely necessary) and if you can afford the space, a hide on the cool end and the warm end. The same heat gradient and husbandry should be maintained :)

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Any tub in particular or just an appropriate sized rubbermaid tub?

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Originally Posted by Rusky

Any tub in particular or just an appropriate sized rubbermaid tub?

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If it's not in a rack, then any tub that's got a secure top will do. Just melt or drill a few holes for ventilation, and maybe weigh down the lid in the middle so that the snake can't push it open, and you should be golden with any old tub you can find.

I'll second Alexandra's posts. :gj:

I'm going to make the changeover tonight.

Any tips on removing UTH's? My friend gave me his tank with it already attached so I'm not sure if it can be removed.

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Originally Posted by Rusky

I'm going to make the changeover tonight.

Any tips on removing UTH's? My friend gave me his tank with it already attached so I'm not sure if it can be removed.

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http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...o-Remove-a-UTH!


Brian

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Originally Posted by Rusky

I'm going to make the changeover tonight.

Any tips on removing UTH's? My friend gave me his tank with it already attached so I'm not sure if it can be removed.

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Nail polish remover worked for me to remove. Then just super glue to the tub.

You don't have to move the snake from a tank, especially if they are relaxed and like the tank, just because of humidity. Just use the foil treatment or plexiglass over the screen top and make sure the glass is insulated and voila!

But if you're dead set on a tub, they can be on their own without a rack. Just make sure the lid also has ventilation holes and use mini bungee cords to hold the lid secure. I used those, and even adult BPs and young corns couldn't get out. :D

Just keep in mind that all snakes are different, and they all have housing preferences. I had several that just would NOT eat or settle in a tub that did perfectly in tanks. :)

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Originally Posted by Argentra

You don't have to move the snake from a tank, especially if they are relaxed and like the tank, just because of humidity. Just use the foil treatment or plexiglass over the screen top and make sure the glass is insulated and voila!

But if you're dead set on a tub, they can be on their own without a rack. Just make sure the lid also has ventilation holes and use mini bungee cords to hold the lid secure. I used those, and even adult BPs and young corns couldn't get out. :D

Just keep in mind that all snakes are different, and they all have housing preferences. I had several that just would NOT eat or settle in a tub that did perfectly in tanks. :)

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Well she has been eating well, except this week when she was shedding.
I will check the humidity tonight and depending on how it is maybe I can find a way to increase it in the tank.

The only thing that stands out is that in the evenings she will start crawling around the tank a lot, climbing to the top trying to get out. Other than that she likes being handled and doesn't mind too much when I touch her around the head (trying to remove shed from nose hole).

What are u using for substrate in your tank? I had a problem until I switched to cypress and haven't misted my tank since Sunday.

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Originally Posted by tuffstuff07

What are u using for substrate in your tank? I had a problem until I switched to cypress and haven't misted my tank since Sunday.

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I'm also using cypress.
I'll have a better idea tonight when I have to work with once I setup the acurite.

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Originally Posted by Rusky

Well she has been eating well, except this week when she was shedding.
I will check the humidity tonight and depending on how it is maybe I can find a way to increase it in the tank.

The only thing that stands out is that in the evenings she will start crawling around the tank a lot, climbing to the top trying to get out. Other than that she likes being handled and doesn't mind too much when I touch her around the head (trying to remove shed from nose hole).

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BPs are nocturnal, so seeing your snake out cruising in the evenings is normal. You can take some steps to try to maintain humidity in the tank, but IMO, once you try the tub and find you never have to mist or mess with it at all to maintain humidity, you'll wonder why you spent so much time messing with the tank...

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Originally Posted by tuffstuff07

What are u using for substrate in your tank? I had a problem until I switched to cypress and haven't misted my tank since Sunday.

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Cypress is usually pretty moist straight out of the bag, but after a few days it will dry out and the humidity will drop. You will eventually have to start misting again, although I've found cypress to hold humidity and moisture much better than aspen... I'm running tubs with paper towel substrate and have no humidity issues at all...

Oh, I also wanted to mention that while it was stated in a previous post to make sure you put holes in the lid of the tub, that's not necessary at all. I've never had a single hole in the lid of any of my tubs and have never had any issues. Just add more holes in the sides of the tubs until you reach desired humidity...

We had the same issue with humidity in our tank easy fix was a peice of Plexi from Home Depot sized for the tank screen. Drilled a few holes in it for ventilation and bingo humidity holds at 60%. The water dish size also makes a difference but for the most part we are using EcoEarth and just misting once a week while feeding and stiring it around. Hopefuly the pics come out so you can see what we did. And yes I know the temps are a little off just got done cleaning :) they usually hold at 94.1 hot side 80.5 ambient
Robie;)

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._5501545_n.jpg


http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._4642573_n.jpg

Hmm, do you have the tank back and BOTH sides covered and insulated? When glass tanks are uncovered, BPs especially don't feel very secure and start looking around for safer spots. Also, you should make sure she has two identical hides, one for each end, so she doesn't have to choose security over temps. :)
Also, the foil treatment for a screen top is really easy and cheap. :D I believe they made a sticky of my picture tutorial in the Caging Forum.

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Originally Posted by Argentra

Hmm, do you have the tank back and BOTH sides covered and insulated? When glass tanks are uncovered, BPs especially don't feel very secure and start looking around for safer spots. Also, you should make sure she has two identical hides, one for each end, so she doesn't have to choose security over temps. :)
Also, the foil treatment for a screen top is really easy and cheap. :D I believe they made a sticky of my picture tutorial in the Caging Forum.

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Three sides have black construction paper taped on almost all the way to the top. I have 1 exo something hide on one side and a smaller black square hide on the other.

Since I can't edit my post I'll make another one.

Just installed the acurite. Humidity is holding at 58%.
Does it matter where I stick the probe, I stuck it in a the corner behind the hide.

personally I place probes in hot and cool hides inside the humidity will be different that outside.

Tub or tank each has issues. There is no magic fix. Tubs do not hold heat at all, if you are in a cool area that can be an issue. on off t-stats tend also to have more issues in COOL rooms (especially if they vary a lot) with tubs.

Before anyone jumps on me saying that they have never had an issue with their on off t-stats in the snake room that is always at 80ºF please read the above cool rooms with unstable temps... they have more issues not always have issues... been there had that discussion.

A third option...

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...arium-Solution

There is no right enclosure and no wrong one just what YOU can manage. Tubs can work tanks can work (I never mist mine I have upright and side turned) enclosures can work it is the keeper whom makes the captive environment not the container.