$300, what would you do?

I live in TX, and keep my house pretty cold.
I first read about how glass tanks can be hard to keep humidity up, and that is a concern of mine.
I then read about the great results people were having by using tubs.
So, I start planning on doing a stand alone tub setup, then more reading talks about how getting the cool side's temp to stay around the 80 mark can be a problem for cool houses.


Now I'm back at square one, with out a clue.
My situation is probably unique to most readers on here, which might complacate things a bit more. lol
I'm totally blind, so my house temps is just done by comfort, and I know I keep a cold house.

I should have a temp/hygrometer in a few days, to get some basic room temps/humidities, but just me guessing, I'd say my house ranges from 72/74 during the day, and at the coldest at night, might be as low as 65.
Again, once I get this temp/hygrometer unit, I'll have more for sure numbers.

So, bassed off the info so far, what would you recommend?

A glass tub? If so, ways to plan on it's set up?

Stick with a tub, if so, how to fight the cold house temps?

Or, 3, I'm screwed and look at getting a puppy. lol

Thanks for the help guys.

I say if you're only gonna have one snake you make it a nice glass display tank with a Ceramic Heat Emitter and possibly an Under Tank Heater for your cool side temps. Don't be afraid of a glass cage; they're very easy to monitor and control temps and humidity with just a couple tricks like using the right substrate to hold moisture. Also covering most of the screen mesh with aluminum foil or some kind of thin insulation, and proper wattage of bulb for the right temps. You can also decorate and make a nice big cage pleasing to the eye for yourself and visitors.

Welcome fellow Texan! I would say you could go either way with a tank it a tub. The main thing is trial and error before you get your snake. Check humidity and temps and see how they fluctuate so you can change substrate, cover part or the tank, etc. to get desires humidity. As far as temps, my house stays pretty chilly too, but I have my snakes in one of the bedrooms with the vent turned down so it doesn't get so chilly in summer. Good luck, I know even with your unique situation you will figure it out :)

So the glass tank is back on the table then... lol

Well, a smaller plastic tub would fit my needs a little better, and takes less room than a glass tank, correct?

Not to mention cleaning a tub would be easier than a long glass tank, correct?

and I was actually going to use the blindness to my cheap advantage. lol
Sense I can't see, a tub works just fine.
It is a strictly for me snake, anyone who comes over, will probably not see it.

I have what I call my room, which is a bedroom with a desk, and guitar's and amp's in it. I was going to put my snake in this room, and when I want to play, I could move a plastic tub out of the room for an hour or so, so the vibrations wouldn't disturbe it... but now I'm rambling and putting the cart before the horse. lol

I just read the FAQ sticky which says plastic tubs hold heat rather well, and sense everyone uses a 10/20 gallon glass tank, with a screentop, but only a tub just a few gallons at most, with a plastic lid, it seems that the heat would stay trapped a little better?

This is why my brain hurts. lol


But, at the end of the day, the best setup for the snake is what I'm going with.
Sense I'll be doing all this with no site, I need to give the new snake the best atmosphere, so it will be less likely to refuze food, ETC, which give sited people problems, imagine doing it blind.

Thanks for listening to the new guys worried thoughts before he's done anything.
It's just over time, do to being blind, I've learned that planning for as much as you can helps in the long run. :)

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Originally Posted by elbee

Welcome fellow Texan! I would say you could go either way with a tank it a tub. The main thing is trial and error before you get your snake. Check humidity and temps and see how they fluctuate so you can change substrate, cover part or the tank, etc. to get desires humidity. As far as temps, my house stays pretty chilly too, but I have my snakes in one of the bedrooms with the vent turned down so it doesn't get so chilly in summer. Good luck, I know even with your unique situation you will figure it out :)

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I guess closing off that bedroom's vent will probably be a must. Didn't think of that...

Thanks for that tip. :)

A tub would also be easier to move and clean by far. Glass tanks look nice but are heavy. You're snake won't mind either way. Do you have a thermostat already? Are you going to use a heat pad?

Different things you can do to control the temp and humidity, like covering part of the screen top with ceran wrap. Another thing is use two UTH's for both side and keeping one higher then the other would boost the temperature inside of the tank as well as raise that cool spot, then you can use something like a Ceramic Heat Emitter to add up to the hotspot. That would situate your temps, but you'll most likely battle humidity problems, so this is why I say use ceran wrap and cover half of the tank. Please, please make sure you tape the ceran wrap to the top of the tank so it doesn't blow off and hit the dome light and catch fire, that would be horrible. Then using a larger water dish will help with humidity a bit more along with misting.

Now what I would do is look at cages from AP, because the way they're setup you'll get better humidity levels versus a tank. Just a thought for measure.

In a smaller tub like a 28 or 32qt your temps should be good with a UTH. With a longer tub like a 41qt the two UTH with one a lower setting is a good idea. Tubs are easier to clean and you could have two on hand with the low price and just transfer your snake at cleaning time. Easier for you, less stress for your snake. With display not a consideration, tubs are ideal I think.

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Originally Posted by elbee

A tub would also be easier to move and clean by far. Glass tanks look nice but are heavy. You're snake won't mind either way. Do you have a thermostat already? Are you going to use a heat pad?

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Well, I also have a thread in the cage forum, so I hope this thread isn't a no-no. :)
I figure I can start with a tub, and the worst thing is I might need to buy a bigger UTH and a glass tank if the tub doesn't pan out. :)

I plan on using a UTH, brands are welcome, but I figured a zooMed's repti-therm is what I'm basing off of.

I was going to use a ZooMed's thermostat, but in the other thread, it was suggested I consider a different one.
I've just done some basic looking at thermostats, so I'm not set on one.
Suggestions on thermostats are most deffenantly welcome.
:)
I was looking at a Herpstat, but not sure why it is rated so high from other users?

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Originally Posted by treeboa

In a smaller tub like a 28 or 32qt your temps should be good with a UTH. With a longer tub like a 41qt the two UTH with one a lower setting is a good idea. Tubs are easier to clean and you could have two on hand with the low price and just transfer your snake at cleaning time. Easier for you, less stress for your snake. With display not a consideration, tubs are ideal I think.

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Thank you!
Just reading this made me feel a little more confident that I might not be wasting a little money by trying the tub first. :)

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Originally Posted by taylor9209

Thank you!
Just reading this made me feel a little more confident that I might not be wasting a little money by trying the tub first. :)

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Nah, tubs are always a reasonable first step in my opinion. Tanks and all that are a pain to clean, plus if you ever had to deal with mites, that silicon in the corners can harbor those things.

I like to use Flexwatt or the new heat tape from Reptile Basics. You put the length you need by the foot, the cord, and connectors in your cart and check the box to have them put it together for you. I think it lasts longer, is about the same price even with shipping, and won't have adhesive on it to stick it to the tub if you want to use a 2 tub system. You can use aluminum tape if you want to stick it to the bottom and still be able to move it.

I've used glass tanks in the past and am much happier with tubs. I found the glass an absolute nightmare to clean! They were heavy and awkward. A tub with a UTH should be more than enough for your little guy :) My house gets freezing in the winter too; I have a small space heater to keep it warm without doubling my hydro bill.

I definitely agree with the tub idea; they're much easier to clean and maintain. And if they break, you're only out $10. As someone that had to move a 100 gallon tank this weekend, I can attest that they are a MAJOR pain in the you-know-what.

Awsome guys. I guess I'll see what the local wall-mart has for locking sterilite's in the 15QT's range.

Feeling much better about trying a tub.

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Originally Posted by taylor9209

Awsome guys. I guess I'll see what the local wall-mart has for locking sterilite's in the 15QT's range.

Feeling much better about trying a tub.

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Good choice :gj:

So when are you getting the little guy?! :D

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Originally Posted by taylor9209

Awsome guys. I guess I'll see what the local wall-mart has for locking sterilite's in the 15QT's range.

Feeling much better about trying a tub.

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You might want to pick up a bungee cord to help hold the lid down too. Even the smaller snakes can push the middle of the lid up enough to escape. Some people use duct tape too, I just found small bungee cords easier.

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Originally Posted by liv

Good choice :gj:

So when are you getting the little guy?! :D

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Well, the plan was to have the tub ready by beginning of next week, then play with getting temp's and humidities at the right spots.
I'm giving myself at least another week to work that out. lol
Then, I'll be on the hunt for what morph I want.

By not rushing this, it's actually taking some of the stress off of learning all this, and trying to make importent choices in a short time easier, I think these forums are also helping a lot.
So, relistically, I hope to at least have the snake orderd in about a month, but maybe sooner.


Still got some other stuff related to the tub before I start trying to get ready to pick a morph. ;)

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Originally Posted by treeboa

You might want to pick up a bungee cord to help hold the lid down too. Even the smaller snakes can push the middle of the lid up enough to escape. Some people use duct tape too, I just found small bungee cords easier.

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Extra security is on the shopping list. I was going to look at some binder clips or something similar...
Something to keep the mid-point of the lid tight, right?

Duct tape sounds like it would be a pain. lol

Velcro would do the trick as well and won't leave sticky residue.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by taylor9209

Extra security is on the shopping list. I was going to look at some binder clips or something similar...
Something to keep the mid-point of the lid tight, right?

Duct tape sounds like it would be a pain. lol

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Right! Duct tape IS a real pain! Missy, velcro is a great idea!! :)

personally I think shooting for keeping the cool side at 80 is overblown, in fact I think it's a little too warm. The cool side on my tubs is typically in the mid to low 70's for a large part of the year occasionally dropping into the high 60's and I don't have any problems with it.

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Originally Posted by taylor9209

Then, I'll be on the hunt for what morph I want.

Still got some other stuff related to the tub before I start trying to get ready to pick a morph. ;)

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I really don't mean to come off rude, I'm just genuinely curious...if you're totally blind, why would morph matter to you? And how would you even know someone was being honest with you and selling you a highend snake, and not a normal? (unless you took along an expert...but still.)

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Originally Posted by Anya

I really don't mean to come off rude, I'm just genuinely curious...if you're totally blind, why would morph matter to you? And how would you even know someone was being honest with you and selling you a highend snake, and not a normal? (unless you took along an expert...but still.)

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Hey, it's a good question. :)
As far as morph's and looks.
You can be blind, but appreciate the way something looks.
I haven't been blind my entire life, so basic colors aren't lost on me.
Take my guitars for example, I generally have a thing for black guitars, but not black only. Just like some people like Red cars, that isn't lost on blind people completely.
True it's looks can't probably be fully appreciated if you can see it, but I like the idea of having something that isn't in the local pet store.


As for buying, I figure I'll post the link to what I'm interested in, and get everyone's opinions on it, and get a good description.
I get the feeling that most on here would enjoy helping someone buy their first BP.

This way if a snake morph looks questionable, I'll know.
There are shady people, who will try to pull one over on you, sited or blind, being blind you do have to be extra careful.

I don't really think you will have temp issues. I keep my house at 70-72º most of the year and I just close the vent in the snake room to keep it in the mid 70's. As long as you have a nice hot spot the animal will be fine. It isn't going to freeze to death at 72º :P


I think its cool that you are still interested in morphs! We will gladly help you pick out something awesome!! :D :D

Well, a cheaper morph.
I think for now I'm setting my price at a $200 max for the snake.

I thought I might have found the one last night while browsing, a super pastel female around 140 Grams, for only $185.
When the other super pastel's were all at $400ish...
So, naturally I asked more info about this snake.
It was a typo, it was supposed to be $450. lol
So, that put it back out of my price range.
Ah well. lol

I'm curious to why no one has recommended a PVC cage like something from Animal Plastics? or maybe I just missed it... With a RHP (Radiant Heat Panel) it would solve the ambient temp issue and the pvc cage would be better at holding humidity as well.

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Originally Posted by Wes

I'm curious to why no one has recommended a PVC cage like something from Animal Plastics? or maybe I just missed it... With a RHP (Radiant Heat Panel) it would solve the ambient temp issue and the pvc cage would be better at holding humidity as well.

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A $300 budget would be cutting it really close. I think for $300 alone you could get the PVC cage, but none of the equipment that goes along with it. If OP gets a hatchling, they could always upgrade to a PVC enclosure once the animal is a little bigger.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

A $300 budget would be cutting it really close. I think for $300 alone you could get the PVC cage, but none of the equipment that goes along with it. If OP gets a hatchling, they could always upgrade to a PVC enclosure once the animal is a little bigger.

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True, I just didn't see anyone else say anything about them and it didn't seem like the OP knew about PVC cages.

Also, don't forget about classifieds. Just a couple weeks ago I saw 4 T8 Animal Plastics cages for $100 each with lights and locks on Craigslist.

The animal plastics cages do seem nice...

It looks like when the snake starts to reach it's adult size, I might move it to a nicer cage like that.

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Originally Posted by Wes

True, I just didn't see anyone else say anything about them and it didn't seem like the OP knew about PVC cages.

Also, don't forget about classifieds. Just a couple weeks ago I saw 4 T8 Animal Plastics cages for $100 each with lights and locks on Craigslist.

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I think if I was blind and display wasn't a consideration, I'd just stick with tubs. Really the only advantage I see to PVC cages is the display factor. The temps in my snake room are similar to hers and I don't use RHP, just UTH. Even a Craigslist bargain for a t8 at $100 is a lot more than a tub for less then $20.

Bought the tub today. Picked up a 15 QT Sterilite.
I know that's a little big for a hatchling, but I'm not for sure I'll be getting a hatchling.
Even still, it seems offly small to me once a water bowl and hides are in there.
It should be happy, it won't have much room. lol