My tub set-ups and liner comparison

I am going to post up here how I set up my rack tubs, and also do a comparison between the two liners that I use.

Here is a 32qt Sterilite 1755 with one RB medium hide. They only get one hide, unless they are a problem feeder, then two. The snake in the pic is 550ish grams. In the 1755s I use a small plastic crock dog dish for water. The liner is a pre-cut Reptisorb (more on this later).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/IMG_1273.jpg

Here is the same 32qt set up for a smaller snake. In this case two RB small hides. The snake is 250ish grams, and will be graduating to a bigger hide soon. Same crock and liner as above.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/IMG_1278.jpg

Here is a sideways oriented 1755. I use two hides due to the increased exposure. Snake is 600ish grams. Only strong feeders go in this rack. (likely overkill, but it is what it is) Same crock and liner as above.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/IMG_1276.jpg

Now, my Boaphile rack uses a 36qt Rubbermaid 3308 hard, industrial tub. I LOVE this tub. Pictured is with a medium RB hide and a large crock dog dish. Snake is 550ish grams. The liner here is a pre-cut kraft paper.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/IMG_1274.jpg

For the larger girls, I swap to a large RB hide, otherwise setup is the same as above. Snake is 950ish grams.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/IMG_1275.jpg

DISCLAIMER: This how I set up MY tubs. Works for me, and there are 1000 ways to skin a cat, just figured some folks might want ideas.

OK, now to discuss the liners.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/IMG_1286.jpg

The first set of liners are called Reptisorb and can be gotten from www.SuperiorShippingSupplies.com in Van Nuys, CA. I was introduced to these when I went to pick up my Enchi from Raul at West Coast Jungle. Scott did not have the size I needed listed on the website, but he was easily able to get me a quote and I ordered up a bundle. The Reptisorb liner is made from a non-organic fabric/paper. It seems to soak up liquid very nicely. I like this incase the snake urninates and I am not home, I do not have to worry about him/her sitting in a puddle. Also no matter how wet, the liner stays intact. This is a great feature. The only real downside (also can be a plus I guess) is that they are white, so any small stain really stands out.

The second liner is made from indented kraft paper and is available from www.cageliners.net. It is made from recycled materials and is biodegradable. I picked it up in pre-cut sheets as well, but it available in bulk rolls. My biggest issue is that it is from the East Coast, so shipping is a killer. It is very attractive, but not a durable as the Reptisorb. They soak up liquid well, but can weaken when soaked. I have used it for years in my boa cage, and now BP cages.

In the end, I will be switching over to all Reptisorb (mainly related to shipping, as pricing is very similar otherwise), but the kraft paper is a great alternative.

I use sani chips and love them. They stick to waste and soak up stuff very well like cat litter so the snake isnt sitting in it. It makes it easy to spot clean too. The only thing i dont like is that they go everywhere you open and pour them outta the bag. Thats not a huge deal though bc i vaccuum my room like twice a week anyways.

Im not really sure if this was just an informative thread or if you wanted us to post pics of our setups too so if you want i cant post pics of mine too. (they look identical to yours except different substrate, so theres probably not much point to lol). Wasnt trying to hijack your thread btw :)

Feel free to post and discuss set ups. This is a information type thread. We can all pick up new ideas here and there. I use sani-chips for my Hoggie. They do get everywhere.

I like the ease of a thorough clean each time with liners. With loose substrate, yes you can spot clean, but it is still not really that clean until you dump it and start over.

Thanks for the useful info jinx

Thanks for the info! I have a question: What are people's opinions on the rolls of construction grade rosin paper (either red or brown) that they sell at hardware stores, which is used to cover flooring and countertops on construction sites? I've read some places that they are fine, but I have also noticed that some are made with a type of formaldehyde, which can't be good. Any thoughts?

I would avoid ANY chemical impregnated paper.

I've been using aspen Sani-Chips in my tubs, and I love it, however, once all of my new 4 X 2 pvc enclosures arrive, I'll be switching to corrugated wrap. My snakes better like it, because 500' of it arrived today... :rofl:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

I've been using aspen Sani-Chips in my tubs, and I love it, however, once all of my new 4 X 2 pvc enclosures arrive, I'll be switching to corrugated wrap. My snakes better like it, because 500' of it arrived today... :rofl:

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I used to order the kraft paper by the roll for my boa cage, and it worked great. The Reptisorb stuff is fairly new, and with better shipping to me it edges out the paper.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

I've been using aspen Sani-Chips in my tubs, and I love it, however, once all of my new 4 X 2 pvc enclosures arrive, I'll be switching to corrugated wrap. My snakes better like it, because 500' of it arrived today... :rofl:

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I ordered 2 2.2cuft bags of the sani chips which will last AWHILE. So until then theyre gunna have to deal with it. After theyre used up though we'll talk about maybe changing it up.:gj:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Reakt20

Thanks for the info! I have a question: What are people's opinions on the rolls of construction grade rosin paper (either red or brown) that they sell at hardware stores, which is used to cover flooring and countertops on construction sites? I've read some places that they are fine, but I have also noticed that some are made with a type of formaldehyde, which can't be good. Any thoughts?

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No formaldehyde is not good, often this type of paper contains insecticides and fungicides as well. There are many sources of substrates out there that are free of chemicals many for close to the same price.

Currently I am using coco coir I really like it although it is messy.

There's just nothing like good ole Brawny or Bounty paper towels.
Only the best paper towels shall grace my tubs ;)

Since we're sharing, this is how I set up my 32 Qt IRIS tubs. All my snakes get two hides because that system has always worked well for me. I use indented Kraft paper and find it easy to use and nice looking. I'm east coast, so for me shipping is a little easier on the wallet. I use two different sized water bowls depending on who's in shed and who's not. The ones pictured are my 'shed bowls' because they have more surface area than the 4 inch crock bowls I normally use.

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...965/Rack_2.jpg

Nice, Slim. I thought about swapping out water bowls, but I just mist instead once they go clear.

Thank you! I've had great luck using the larger bowl. In that photo, you can see my humidity is at 61%, but I had just put that bowl in there after taking a look at the snake's belly. As a matter of fact, I hadn't even put water in the second bowl yet when I took that photo. (The second tub is home to my buddy's Normal male who was also going into shed. He's deployed till Aug 2012 and I'm watching his boy for him.)

Also, I took that photo while I was still in Virginia. Now that I'm home, keeping good humidity is rarely an issue. I usually run about 65% with the small 4 inch bowls.

My question is kind of a noob question but what size tubs do you keep BPs that are 1500g? I have a 550 gram in a 32 and a 211 in a 16. The reason is he gets very stressed out so I have him in a nice comfy area with a heat gradient.


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I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?ea0mnl

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Originally Posted by masonhall

what size tubs do you keep BPs that are 1500g?

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For me, the answer is a 32 Qt tub. I keep all my boys in 32 Qt IRIS tubs. My largest is currently sitting at 1750 grams, and he's doing just fine.

I am new here an was wanting to know how you set up your temperature/humidity gages in the tubs? This looks like an RBI rack which is the same as I have, but haven't set it up yet. Are the gages just held up by the hides or are they attached somehow? Do the probes run under the paper substrate? Is there any problems with them getting wet if the snake dumps the water bowl?

I also have a VE-300 thermostat that I need to know what the best way to install it on this type of rack...Sorry for all of the questions :)

Jim