Tanks vs tubs?

Okay, so my bp is currently in a 10 gallon tank and I've been wanting to upgrade him to a larger tub in the future. Problem is, I saw that thread a while ago of someone who moved their bp into a rack after being in a tank for most of it's life that started to rub itself raw trying to get to the light, and I have to admit it freaked me out a bit.
Now, I know I could get a clear tub to avoid that issue but it got me thinking about the pros and cons of tubs and tanks as a whole, so I was wondering what everyone's opinions are on this topic? Especially people who've tried both methods, but all opinions are appreciated! :D

light generally stresses ball pythons out, as they are a nocturnal species. i find it hard to believe the OP knew the snake wanted light; that goes against their nature. the rubbing behavior was likely a result of incorrect husbandry.

tubs are fantastic. ive kept beeps in glass tanks for over 3 years but once i made the switch to tubs and a rack system their behavior and eating responses were much more positive.

i was originally against tubs and racks due to ignorance, but im so so glad ive made the switch. literally just fed everyone in their new adult (41qt) rack tonight; everyone ate. [emoji4]

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

light generally stresses ball pythons out, as they are a nocturnal species. i find it hard to believe the OP knew the snake wanted light; that goes against their nature. the rubbing behavior was likely a result of incorrect husbandry.

tubs are fantastic. ive kept beeps in glass tanks for over 3 years but once i made the switch to tubs and a rack system their behavior and eating responses were much more positive.

i was originally against tubs and racks due to ignorance, but im so so glad ive made the switch. literally just fed everyone in their new adult (41qt) rack tonight; everyone ate. [emoji4]

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Sorry, I should've been more specific when referencing that other thread, I believe the OP wasn't sure what was causing it and other people responded saying that MAY have been what was causing it, I don't know if that was definitely the cause but it still scared me a bit haha :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Ditto

Sorry, I should've been more specific when referencing that other thread, I believe the OP wasn't sure what was causing it and other people responded saying that MAY have been what was causing it, I don't know if that was definitely the cause but it still scared me a bit haha :rolleyes:

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hey no worries! idk what thread you're referencing (haven't been on much lately) so im just guessing.

ironically, i just read a thread about someone having their first rack and immediately seeing a positive difference in feeding response and behavior.

do a bit more research if you're still feeling apprehensive about tubs/racks and please ask any more questions you might have! [emoji4]

A lot of it is personal preference.

Proper Husbandry is the main concern regardless of what you house your noodle in. Making sure the temps and humidity are good while making sure there is a sense of security for the snake.

My oldest girl is 18. Half of her life was in a tub. The last half has been in a nice big tank. She does well. She's only fussy about food and will only eat live. Activity and such doesn't bother her and she will come out to explore from time to time

Out of my three yearlings, one is a spitfire. She has to be housed in a tub because she will strike at everything and anything that moves. Initially I had her in an exo-terra, she's my fancy girl I wanted to have in a nice display tank...but then had to cover her it with a blanket as she decided to coil up on a driftwood branch and play angry tree python at anything moving. Her tub has made it much easier to deal with as she cannot see what's going on.

The tubs can be a bit easier to maintain humidity on, a big plus.
But if you really want to show a snake off, obviously the visibility sucks.

Choose what you want! But do right by the snake is the most important part!

For me I have my BPs in tanks with most of the tank covered in foam board. Just one side is open for viewing. The tanks are big but have enough stuff in them to avoid to much open space. I should be able to get a decent amount of use as they grow.
I have my Boas in tubs and the biggest reason is they will increase in size dramatically and for now it seems like a great the way to go. As they grow I can upgrade tubs until they reach a size I can buy the forever home.
My plans are eventually putting them all in PVC enclosures.

I went from tanks, to AP cages now to tubs. By far snakes are eating and shedding better than ever before.

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Originally Posted by Armiyana

A lot of it is personal preference.

Proper Husbandry is the main concern regardless of what you house your noodle in. Making sure the temps and humidity are good while making sure there is a sense of security for the snake.

My oldest girl is 18. Half of her life was in a tub. The last half has been in a nice big tank. She does well. She's only fussy about food and will only eat live. Activity and such doesn't bother her and she will come out to explore from time to time

Out of my three yearlings, one is a spitfire. She has to be housed in a tub because she will strike at everything and anything that moves. Initially I had her in an exo-terra, she's my fancy girl I wanted to have in a nice display tank...but then had to cover her it with a blanket as she decided to coil up on a driftwood branch and play angry tree python at anything moving. Her tub has made it much easier to deal with as she cannot see what's going on.

The tubs can be a bit easier to maintain humidity on, a big plus.
But if you really want to show a snake off, obviously the visibility sucks.

Choose what you want! But do right by the snake is the most important part!

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You make some great points .... shame about your display snake not doing well in the tank /viv but at least it's settled now .

I've only ever used tanks and vivs and never had any issues with any of my Royals ...so it can be achieved with most of them .
Sure with tubs it's easier to keep the humidity levels right but humidity can be controlled / adjusted in tanks and vivs - it's just a little harder .


All my snakes including 3 Royals are in lovely , landscaped vivs and do really well feeding and shedding perfectly... so it can be achieved .

At my peak I had 24 display snakes all species/types and can't imagine not being able to watch and observe them ...

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

You make some great points .... shame about your display snake not doing well in the tank /viv but at least it's settled now .

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I really hope she mellows out with age. I'd love to move her to a nice tank later on. She's slowed down a bit with the security of being in a tub the last 2 months, but she will still make a point to come out of her hide and try to strike when I do take too long when I peek in for wellness checks or water topoffs.
I just don't want to risk her injuring her nose because I want a pretty tank snake. So for now she's my grumpy tub noodle. X3

And I agree! The proper humidity in the tanks can be done. And in multiple ways. It just is a noticeable difference with the tubs... though that can be a drawback as well. Cause if you don't spot check tubs often enough you can get some nasty bacteria or fungal buildup in the bedding and risk a URI to them as well. The tank routines can keep it from reaching that point as quickly.

Back when I first started, I lost a tiny King hatchling that escaped out of a shoe box tub. I've tried them again on occasion with other animals, but personally, I just never trust the flexibility of plastic tubs. They obviously work better with a rack ceiling, but if you are just using the tub and it's latching top, there aren't a lot of good ways to conveniently secure that top - at least to my satisfaction.

I worry less with a glass tank. Glass tanks come as small as 5-gal, which completely covered and insulated, is working well for my BP hatchling. He has eaten twice for me, no problems.

My favorite look for a reptile room is black Boaphiles, or black stacks of AP cages.
Sort of mimicked that by covering three sides and most of the screen tops with foam and black posterboard. The lighted and planted vivs look dramatic that way. I use a length of black fabric as a skirt to hide the 2X4 wood stands they rest on.

My biggest issue with tanks is that you run out of available space quickly.

I'm determined to get a boa in the nest few months, but WHERE THE HECK AM I GOING TO PUT HIM?

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Originally Posted by distaff

My favorite look for a reptile room is black Boaphiles, or black stacks of AP cages.
Sort of mimicked that by covering three sides and most of the screen tops with foam and black posterboard. The lighted and planted vivs look dramatic that way. I use a length of black fabric as a skirt to hide the 2X4 wood stands they rest on.

My biggest issue with tanks is that you run out of available space quickly.

I'm determined to get a boa in the nest few months, but WHERE THE HECK AM I GOING TO PUT HIM?

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A nice Dwarf Boa ?


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Originally Posted by Zincubus

A nice Dwarf Boa ?


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Definitely a dwarf.
I'm not ready for a fifty pound snake, and doubt if I ever will be.

Tanks versus tubs is not necessarily the best way to frame this. The enclosure itself is just a box; what matters is what you put in the box and how you set it up.
The basic care sheet requirements of hot side, cold side, and humidity can be achieved in any of these, and it’s really not rocket science. The next requirement is hides and cover, which can also be achieved in all of these.

My biggest complaint with the tank-vs-tub debate is that it centers on things like temperature and humidity which you can totally dial in with a modicum of up front effort in any of these kinds of boxes. And once it’s dialed in (needing to mist three times a day does not count as “dialed in” IMHO; even in a tank with a screen top there are easy ways to raise the humidity that don’t require nearly that level of daily effort) you don’t have to do much on a daily basis to maintain it. Getting the temperatures and humidity right in a glass tank, and also providing enough hides and cover, is really not that difficult.

I do think that ball pythons in general should have more space than they get in the commonly-used and recommended tubs that fit into common racks. That does not mean EMPTY space, or a 55 gallon tank with one hide, a water bowl, a screen top, and a lamp. The reason they should have more space is that they should have a choice of hides, microclimates, light levels, etc. They will often choose to hang out in a different spot at night than during the day, for example; so they should have more than one spot to choose from. They should have enough head room to at the VERY least lift their head as far off the ground as they are able to without the aid of a wall or other support.

Most tubs in racks do not offer the space for them to do those things. But that isn’t because it’s a tub, that’s because it’s a small tub. You can get a bigger tub and then there’s room.

THat’s not to say that different materials don’t have their pros and cons; glass doesn’t retain heat as well, but it won’t warp or melt from heat sources. Plastic retains heat better, but it’s harder to use higher-wattage heat sources with.

It’s probably a bit more work to modify a plastic tub lid to safely work with a lamp or CHE than it does to cover the screen top of a tank with foil to retain humidity. It’s probably about an equivalent amount of work to use a RHP with a plastic tub lid or with a screen top. But again, none of these things is rocket science.

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Originally Posted by distaff

Back when I first started, I lost a tiny King hatchling that escaped out of a shoe box tub. I've tried them again on occasion with other animals, but personally, I just never trust the flexibility of plastic tubs. They obviously work better with a rack ceiling, but if you are just using the tub and it's latching top, there aren't a lot of good ways to conveniently secure that top - at least to my satisfaction.

I worry less with a glass tank. Glass tanks come as small as 5-gal, which completely covered and insulated, is working well for my BP hatchling. He has eaten twice for me, no problems.

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I found the smallest bra-plast tub option to be the hardest to secure - you either need a shelf VERY close to the top of the tub lid or an extra measure to secure them. They were just too flexible to do it any other way. :(

Using similar size tupperware however had much better lids and less flexible sides which worked fine. :confusd:

I guess I never understood tanks vs tubs because PVC enclosures seem to be in a league of their own.

I love my Animal Plastic terrariums but understand that they're not for everyone since they're take a large amount of space and can be pricey. However, I feel like they're an amzing option if you don't have a lot of BPs. Never had an issue with heating or humidity with them. They also look amazing!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ff736d02e2.jpg

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Originally Posted by Mr. Misha

I guess I never understood tanks vs tubs because PVC enclosures seem to be in a league of their own.

I love my Animal Plastic terrariums but understand that they're not for everyone since they're take a large amount of space and can be pricey. However, I feel like they're an amzing option if you don't have a lot of BPs. Never had an issue with heating or humidity with them. They also look amazing!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ff736d02e2.jpg

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They look amazing !!

So what's in each one ??


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Originally Posted by Zincubus

They look amazing !!

So what's in each one ??


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Thanks so much! I have the T12 and T10 split and the T8 is for my 5th.

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Originally Posted by Mr. Misha

Thanks so much! I have the T12 and T10 split and the T8 is for my 5th.

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What type/s of snakes ??


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Beautiful set-up with the AP's!

I am always looking for ways to make our reptile room/music room/craft room/study look more beautiful.
Last year, thinking it would be an improvement, I moved all the snakes into the storage/bird/rat room. I didn't like it. The birds enjoy the West facing window in there, they are safe from the dogs (flighted, cage doors always open), but the space has a basement feel, and just didn't work well for animals I want showcased (even if some snakes are always hiding).
The big heavy vivs were drug back out to the study after several months. I interact with the snakes much more often in this main room. Very crowded in here, but I keep it looking nice.

What is better? Tank, Cage, Tub?

That question is just about as old as keeping reptiles as pets. Truth is all 3 can be done right and can be done wrong. On each side of the argument you will have people that believe that their way is the only right way, and the arguments get heated.

IMHO it strongly depends on the species as well. For instance, BP's do exceptionally well in tubs. I believe that "enrichment" for a Ball Python is a extremely private, dark and tight place to be. I've had all versions of reptile enclosures and I've kept BP's for about 19 years now. That doesn't make me an expert, and there are people that kept them for longer. But it did give me a good chance to observe the animals in different settings and notice where they seemed to thrive the most, and which setup seemed the most ideal FOR THIS SPECIES.

I'm extremely OCD when it comes to animals, esp. my animals. I re-search thoroughly and all the time. I observe. I am a stickler for having things just right. I also used to rehab severely ill, emaciated and imported Ball Pythons, true challenges.

When it comes to Ball Pythons, I'm strictly in the "Tub" camp. That said, I do have one large BP male in a beautiful display cage. However, this gorgeous eye candy setup is really more for my enjoyment, then it is for his. I'm 100% sure that he would be just as happy (if not happier) in a tub.

There are many species I wouldn't set up in tubs. The ones that like a lot of space, use it all, climb and observe. Those are the ones that take the most advantage of such a setup, and you will enjoy seeing the snakes out in the open. I only have 6 BP's. 5 in a rack. I could get a stack of 5 cages, I have the funds, I have the space. But I feel they are perfectly happy where they are and I'm leaving them housed the way they are for THEIR sake. I might at some point add display cages, but most likely they would be for another species.

Glass Tanks are imho the worst for a species such as the BP. You can make them work, of course. But it takes the most effort to make them work for a species that need to have specific humidity, tons of privacy and a controlled ambient temperature. Glass tanks are great for certain lizards, or for snakes that need it dry and either burrow or don't mind the more "exposed" feel of the glass tank.

That brings me to PVC cages. All the rage. And after all, most racks are made out of PVC as well. But...PVC IS the most toxic plastic out there. That's just a fact. It out gasses throughout its life (more in the beginning of course) and heating it or having higher humidity increases the toxins.
Now, you will hear everyone say, its worked for me for years. My animals are fine. Etc etc. But PVC is PVC. We take those risks, as many feel that the benefits outweigh the risks.

http://www.coverttruth.com/posts/pvc-outgassing

Then you have some manufacturer that use some form of plastics that is less toxic then PVC. Neodesha comes to mind (love those) Not sure what showcages.com uses, but they are also great cages.

Long story short, there are benefits and negatives to all of the different options. All can be done right, or wrong. One should keep the species and its needs in mind, as well.

To me the only wrong thing is to believe that there is only one right way.

Zina makes a good point about species specific enclosure considerations.
This is a BP board, and maybe there is not much air circulation inside a termite mound.

The author of my book on the Bogertophis genus, The Complete Suboc, by Dusty Rhoades (pen name?), cautions against enclosures with limited air circulation for Bogertophis. Given that, if I were going to use tubs for my Trans Pecos rats, or Rosalies, I would use a circular drill bit on the tub, and install those circular snap-on screen vents that insect breeders commonly use.

I've been intending to get garters for years. I'd prefer a set-up that has lots of vertical climbing branches, and a lighted basking area.

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

What type/s of snakes ??


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They're all BPs.