I made a massive mistake...

Bought what I thought was a good enclosure from Craigslist (48x29x29, bigger than a T10) with extras, had only been used for a monitor for a few months, but when I brought it home it's clear it has issues right off the bat.

The doors are a flimsy plastic and don't even close all the way because of these dumb rubber stoppers, and I have no idea how this lock is supposed to work. The material is plywood. It's silicon sealed but still.

It came with two huge logs, but only one of them has been baked and the other is way too big to cure in my oven so it's useless. A bunch of lamps and bulbs which who knows what's still good, and finally a giant tout with what I'm told is brand new untouched substrate.

This put me $275 in the hole and I feel like a total idiot. It was either I buy something like this, wait a year+ for an actual professional setup, retrofit ANOTHER tank and deal with the same problems all over again, or clumsily try to build something myself. No matter what I was screwed. Feeling discouraged from the hobby altogether after this...
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...bc8cbf04b6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...2087d8b0b7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...325c6dbf97.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ef31b3ea99.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...70403f9195.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...f6753d11de.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...72be7b5ec7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...2795c92c90.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...09529a599b.jpg

Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk

Yes you did...:(

I would bake the substrate IF you decide to keep it (I probably would use it in my garden), & throw away those logs, not worth dealing with versus the risk.

Look at the bright side, at least it wasn't a car you bought hastily. Never let a seller rush you into buying something before you really look it over. ;)

You'd have been far better off waiting for a new enclosure to be built, & that's what I thought your plan was? :confusd:

Monitors can carry tons of germs, so every inch, inside & out, needs the full disinfectant-treatment. Test the lights & sanitize all of them too- every inch.

Not sure how to fix the doors, hard to do over the 'net. Glad it's not mine...

(Was the monitor rehomed or did it die from something?)

I don't even know what I'm going to do now, I don't have much money left and very little income (and unlike most people I've not gotten a dime out of any of the stimulus bills).

The best I can think to do is, after cleaning and disinfecting, completely reseal the entire enclosure and try to get glass doors that actually fit properly. Which by the end will probably cost me about as much as just paying the premium for a fully built T10.

Who am I kidding this is a freaking disaster... I'm completely screwed...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Yes you did...:(

I would bake the substrate if you decide to keep it, & probably throw away those logs, not worth dealing with vs. the risk.

Look at the bright side, at least it wasn't a car you bought hastily. Never let a seller rush you into buying something before you really look it over.

You'd have been far better off waiting for a new enclosure to be built, & that's what I thought your plan was? :confusd:

And monitors can carry tons of germs, so every inch, inside & out, needs the full disinfectant-treatment. Test the lights & sanitize all of them too- every inch.

Glad it's not mine...

---

Everywhere I looked the wait times were going to be months, and I did not feel comfortable, with what little money I had, paying up to half a grand for an item I wasn't going to see for such a long time that I'd have to make a second temporary enclosure due to the main one taking so long. But clearly I made the stupid choice anyway.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snagrio

...unlike most people I've not gotten a dime out of any of the stimulus bills...

---

I recently read something somewhere that said if you haven't received the "stimulus $" to call the IRS. I'd suggest doing so.

Oh great, I walk out to the deck where I put it and find my dad spraying weed killer everywhere while the wind's blowing around. Even after telling him to stop he blew me off and kept going so I had to hastily throw a tarp over the whole thing and hope it doesn't get even worse.

I'm, I'm just done with everything.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snagrio

Everywhere I looked the wait times were going to be months, and I did not feel comfortable, with what little money I had, paying up to half a grand for an item I wasn't going to see for such a long time that I'd have to make a second temporary enclosure due to the main one taking so long. But clearly I made the stupid choice anyway.

---

There's a good old saying: Buy in haste, regret at leisure.

We've all made mistakes in life...the way to make better ones is to learn from the ones you make. You might try to re-sell this whole mess- you'll lose some $ but not all.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I recently read something somewhere that said if you haven't received the "stimulus $" to call the IRS. I'd suggest doing so.

---

This might help with the stimulus issue:

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

There's a good old saying: Buy in haste, regret at leisure.

We've all made mistakes in life...the way to make better ones is to learn from the ones you make. You might try to re-sell this whole mess- you'll lose some $ but not all.

---

Agreed, I'd try to resell it even if you lose a little cash. If you're going to spend money on a big enclosure, with a RHP from Pro Products my T10 cost me $381 shipped. Yea I ordered in September and it got here yesterday, but I don't have to worry about anything with it.

No sense in beating yourself up or stressing over it. What's done is done, all you can do now is learn from this and move forward. I would try to sell this even if you have to sell it piece by piece and try to recoup some of your money. Keep your chin up, no one on this site has never made a mistake be it in reptile keeping or somewhere else in our lives. What matters is what you do next.

Have taken a moment to calm down and collect myself...

I'm going to see what I can do to work with what I have. I have a mother who's handy in DIY and willing to help with the door issue and I'll pitch the logs and substrate.

So now, what is suggested for sanitation? And what paints are safe to use for reptiles so I can recoat the whole thing afterwards to make it look nice?

EDIT: Or is it really THAT bad that I shouldn't even try, attempt to resell, and start from scratch?

This is a "learn & move on" moment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld8eAH0MW00 ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snagrio

Have taken a moment to calm down and collect myself...

I'm going to see what I can do to work with what I have. I have a mother who's handy in DIY and willing to help with the door issue and I'll pitch the logs and substrate.

So now, what is suggested for sanitation? And what paints are safe to use for reptiles so I can recoat the whole thing afterwards to make it look nice?

EDIT: Or is it really THAT bad that I shouldn't even try, attempt to resell, and start from scratch?

---

I'm still concerned about what was in it before and why that occupant vacated.. if you know what I mean. If it were me I'd try to sell it cheap and get some of my cash back.

If you really want to try to clean it and use it, you need to F10 or Chlorexidine the entire thing. I'd strip that silicon out and redo the seals, as stuff can over time get underneath it and just live in there (this is why I don't buy used fish tanks typically).

If you really want to use this thing I wouldn't take any chances. Sand the entire thing, and either use a acrylic or marine grade paint (anything with low or no VOC) OR (what I would prefer if I were you)stain the wood then apply a wood sealant. You can find wood sealant at most hardware stores that are "baby safe" once it dries.

Edit: Just to add to be SUPER clear, cure time for MOST acrylic paints is 2-3 weeks. On top of that, oil based stains are toxic, and even some water based can be if you don't properly seal it, so you're taking a lot of risk, OR waiting just as long to DIY this enclosure as you would just ordering something new, that you don't have to worry about the safety of your snake in.

I agree w/ Hugsplox' post ^ ^ ^ It's just not worth the risk & all the work involved.

It's preferable with a used enclosure to use multiple antiseptic cleaners (separately, one at a time!) because each of them is most effective against some but not all things equally.

Just like if you're sick & take an antibiotic, it may or may not work- you have to use the right agent to kill pathogens, but in the case of a used cage, there's no way to know what's lurking in the semi-porous crevices of wood & other improperly sealed surfaces.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...=1#post2749346

My mother's not going to be happy to hear this... After all the trouble I put her through (it's Craigslist so you know, buddy system and I have no friends to do that with me) only to have to tell her I have to sell the whole thing back at a loss mere hours after the fact. Sigh...

I'm going to be frank, I've been in a very negative mood for some time now and this was supposed to be an uplifting moment for a change, but all it's done is crush me down further. This whole snake thing was supposed to help me get my mind off of my life troubles, not add to them...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snagrio

My mother's not going to be happy to hear this... After all the trouble I put her through (it's Craigslist so you know, buddy system and I have no friends to do that with me) only to have to tell her I have to sell the whole thing back at a loss mere hours after the fact. Sigh...

I'm going to be frank, I've been in a very negative mood for some time now and this was supposed to be an uplifting moment for a change, but all it's done is crush me down further. This whole snake thing was supposed to help me get my mind off of my life troubles, not add to them...

---

I understand your frustration, but you should have taken time to think it over before buying it. You could have taken pics & went home to post it here & ask us before buying it. But you bought it. :confusd:
It's not as if we didn't tell you similar things previously about another used enclosure you looked at.

FYI, when you look at something for sale, always remember it's not the last one on the planet. Don't seem too eager (even if you are)! What's more, if you take the time to go home & think it over, you'd be surprised how the seller's price may come down. That's how you get better deals. Though personally I don't think this would ever be a good deal for reasons already posted. Sorry...

As we've said, it's a learning experience for you, if nothing else. Another learning experience would be to house your snake in this & then have to watch it die from a mystery illness. :tears: I KNOW you don't want that...so look at the bright side, eh? It could be worse, always, your life could be worse...like if you weren't able to be online to learn these things, right?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I understand your frustration, but you should have taken time to think it over before buying it. You could have taken pics & went home to post it here & ask us before buying it. But you bought it. :confusd:
It's not as if we didn't tell you similar things previously about another used enclosure you looked at.

FYI, when you look at something for sale, always remember it's not the last one on the planet. Don't seem too eager (even if you are)! What's more, if you take the time to go home & think it over, you'd be surprised how the seller's price may come down. That's how you get better deals. Though personally I don't think this would ever be a good deal for reasons already posted. Sorry...

As we've said, it's a learning experience for you, if nothing else. Another learning experience would be to house your snake in this & then have to watch it die from a mystery illness. :tears: I KNOW you don't want that...so look at the bright side, eh? It could be worse, always, your life could be worse...like if you weren't able to be online to learn these things, right?

---

I know, I'm a fool, I get it. One of the endless examples of me trying to be a freaking adult for once and make my own decisions only to yet again fail miserably. Why do you think I'm still under my parents' roof? Because I can't do stuff on my own.

Why do I even try...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snagrio

...Why do I even try...

---

Because that's how you learn...it's part of growing up & beyond. Everyone has more to learn about some things, no one's ever a "finished product"- that's why forums exist, to share information.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I recently read something somewhere that said if you haven't received the "stimulus $" to call the IRS. I'd suggest doing so.

---

As a former tax examiner with said organization, I second and third this suggestion.

Snagrio,

You might not want to hear this, but I am going to give you some tough love.

1. Run away form this enclosure unless you are confident you can clean it thoroughly and make it escape proof. Don't try to make it work with those doors and then end up with a lost snake. Don't compound the problem.

2. Own your mistake. Part of being an adult is admitting when we make a mistake.

3. Learn from it. Next time, don't commit until you've seen the enclosures first hand and examined them, etc. Ask more questions, take your time. Do not be impulsive.

4. Do not beat yourself up. It doesn't help. It only makes you feel worse while getting away from #'s 2 and 3.

5. Put into perspective. This may have been a mistake, but no one got hurt, you will recover, etc.

There are options out there for cages that ship in 6 weeks or less (Boaphile, Reptile Basics, some AP stuff, etc.) and are good quality cages. Additionally, height benefits keepers when cleaning time comes, but makes it harder to heat and our BP's could care less.

Take a deep breath, realize we are here to help, and that life will go on. Also realize that as you grow you will have more and more responsibility and times when consequences of your mistakes can be much more dramatic. This is the time to learn to be calm and collected and learn from small mistakes so you do not make big ones, or at least as many big ones.

I put it back up on the site for less than half of what I paid for it, threw a bunch of other things (other supplies I don't need, electronics, ect.) on there at the same time, and did a couple job applications.

Still extremely mad at myself though...

I think it's a good idea to sell it, too. A lot of great advice here. The most important part is you realized you made a mistake, and even more importantly, you're fixing it. Your mistake isn't earth shatteringly terrible or life altering for you or anyone else, so don't beat yourself up about it too much. You have a lot of options so focus on those right now and you can turn this around. You've got this :gj:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snagrio

I put it back up on the site for less than half of what I paid for it, threw a bunch of other things (other supplies I don't need, electronics, ect.) on there at the same time, and did a couple job applications.

Still extremely mad at myself though...

---

All good steps.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snagrio

I put it back up on the site for less than half of what I paid for it, threw a bunch of other things (other supplies I don't need, electronics, ect.) on there at the same time, and did a couple job applications.

Still extremely mad at myself though...

---

:gj: I'm not saying there are no good bargains to be found, ever, but they're far & few between, & even then a new enclosure is better- safer! Usually people have good reasons to unload stuff- so from now on, be suspicious (!), ask questions, go home & sleep on it (know that if someone beats you to it, you'll find another one, no big deal); also get more opinions from others, & don't be afraid to say "no thanks", "never mind, I found another one", or "something came up & my fish needs emergency surgery" (lol) etc.

I hope you're years away from buying a house ;) -if you think buying a used enclosure is tough- lemme tell ya. I once bought a used car when I was just starting college, but even then I spent extra $ to take it to a trusted mechanic for an inspection before committing to it. The last thing I needed was a "lemon" with expensive repairs on my "shoestring budget", but it turned out to be a good used car. The mechanic gave it his approval & he was right- it had no issues whatsoever. But without his expertise & advice, I wouldn't have known, & it could have been a real "money pit". No one knows everything- there's a lot to be said for experience. When I've bought houses, I've hired home inspectors to check everything out, along with input from family & friends. One person might see something the others don't.

Good luck on the job applications.

If I'll be lucky enough to even sell it above $50 bucks at this point... The only genuinely nice thing I've gotten out of this utter fiasco is the tote (it's a nice size and has the clamping locks unlike the ones I have which just snap shut). You know you're screwed when you throw nearly $300 down the drain and your consolation prize is a plastic box...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snagrio

If I'll be lucky enough to even sell it above $50 bucks at this point... The only genuinely nice thing I've gotten out of this utter fiasco is the tote (it's a nice size and has the clamping locks unlike the ones I have which just snap shut). You know you're screwed when you throw nearly $300 down the drain and your consolation prize is a plastic box...

---

Well, no one's telling you to "give it away" either, but do think about what you're going to say when a prospective buyer asks what lived (or died) in it, & why you're selling it. Maybe something like "I don't know- I bought it for my pet but it turns out it doesn't fit the space I have." or something plausible along those lines. If you tell them everything we've discussed here, you'll have it for a long time. Everyone is responsible for doing their own "due diligence".

All I wanted to do was just save a little money while not having to wait half a year before my BP could move out of his already cramped quarters and having to make up a second temporary enclosure in the meantime. I simply didn't have the funds to comfortably drop close to if not half a grand on something I wasn't sure I'd see within any reasonable stretch of time. Yet all I ended up doing was just waste MORE money anyway because of course that's how it always works so now I have to wait even LONGER to get an actual proper setup than if I just bit the freaking bullet months ago because now there's for sure no way I can afford anything of the sort.

I get it wasn't as expensive a mistake as many expensive mistakes tend to be, but when you're in financial straights like I am it might as well be like buying a lemon car.

I take mistakes and failures hard, and this was easily the most egregious personal case in a long time that I'm going to be very bitter about for weeks...

Reading through this thread its clear the biggest concerns with your purchase are sanitation and making the enclosure escape proof. If you want to sell it, keep in mind you are not the only eager shopper out there. I have purchased and resold my fair share of supplies and you don't have to end up losing much money. It is a fairly large enclosure which many inexperienced shoppers will be really drawn to. You can possibly do some simple stuff to make it more appealing such as installing some caster wheels, possibly painting it a different color or possibly putting a picture background on.
As far as the door situation you can always remove the sliding doors and install something with hinges that either opens up or down, or if you place a piece of wood in the middle that opens/closes like a normal cabinet. The fact that the enclosure is made out of wood makes it very easy to work with to modify it even if it is only to sell it. Clean the enclosure as best you can, throw in some substrate, get a nice piece of driftwood, some hides, a water bowl and sell it as is "full set up". Also, the logs you can disinfect using the soaking method with diluted bleach... I would have to look up the specifics but I have heard it used when the piece of wood is too big for the oven.

Don't beat yourself up we all make mistakes. Years ago I drove a couple hours away to look at a car I was sure was a great deal. I called to ask for advice from my father and uncle and despite their warning to let it go and sleep on it I decided to buy it on impulse. I was very excited that night on my way back home because somehow I decided it was a good idea to buy a car that I could not even get a very good look at since it was getting dark. As soon as I pulled into the driveway the check engine light came on, under further inspection the car had been in a pretty nasty accident where the rear was all dented especially inside the truck looked like crumpled tin foil, the rear bumper was falling off, it would not pass smog due to some sensors not working, the rim covers were for a toyota and the car I bought was a Nissan... the point is I seriously messed up. I was blessed to have the support of my father in slowly fixing what could be fixed and using the car as is for a few years. It did sit for several months because I couldn't even look at it without getting upset and I couldn't register it until it passed smog but eventually everything worked out. We live and learn, keep your head up and focus your energy on finding a solution.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gerguera

Don't beat yourself up we all make mistakes. Years ago I drove a couple hours away to look at a car I was sure was a great deal. I called to ask for advice from my father and uncle and despite their warning to let it go and sleep on it I decided to buy it on impulse. I was very excited that night on my way back home because somehow I decided it was a good idea to buy a car that I could not even get a very good look at since it was getting dark. As soon as I pulled into the driveway the check engine light came on, under further inspection the car had been in a pretty nasty accident where the rear was all dented especially inside the truck looked like crumpled tin foil, the rear bumper was falling off, it would not pass smog due to some sensors not working, the rim covers were for a toyota and the car I bought was a Nissan... the point is I seriously messed up. I was blessed to have the support of my father in slowly fixing what could be fixed and using the car as is for a few years. It did sit for several months because I couldn't even look at it without getting upset and I couldn't register it until it passed smog but eventually everything worked out. We live and learn, keep your head up and focus your energy on finding a solution.

---

:rofl:This story hit me right in the feels. I paid $1600 for a older Nissan 240 when I was like 18 because I thought it was this cool little racecar. Turns out it had been totaled on a race track, had no title, and I couldn't even register the thing. I ended up selling it for something like $600 for parts just to get some cash back.

Point is, it's not the end of the world. No amount of being bitter or mad is going to fix the issue at hand. I'm sure your snake is fine, sell this enclosure, put some money away, and just order yourself something new that you can trust. People tend to think failure is the enemy, I promise you it's not, you'll learn more from this than had it ended up working out. Plus, the added benefit of being an active member here, sharing your story might teach someone else a very important lesson without having to learn it the hard way like you have.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hugsplox

:rofl:This story hit me right in the feels. I paid $1600 for a older Nissan 240 when I was like 18 because I thought it was this cool little racecar. Turns out it had been totaled on a race track, had no title, and I couldn't even register the thing. I ended up selling it for something like $600 for parts just to get some cash back.

Point is, it's not the end of the world. No amount of being bitter or mad is going to fix the issue at hand. I'm sure your snake is fine, sell this enclosure, put some money away, and just order yourself something new that you can trust. People tend to think failure is the enemy, I promise you it's not, you'll learn more from this than had it ended up working out. Plus, the added benefit of being an active member here, sharing your story might teach someone else a very important lesson without having to learn it the hard way like you have.

---

I don't know if I should say "I'm glad you can relate" lol :rofl:
I've heard the saying, "A smart man learns from his mistakes, a wise man learns from others mistakes".
To OP, stuff happens and best thing we can do is learn from it.

I woke up to several people showing interest, so there's something at least.

In hindsight I probably could've cleaned it up, make everything look nicer and attempt to put a higher price to regain more of my lost money (if not potentially gain money) but, the goal was to get rid of this thing ASAP so, what are ya gonna do.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snagrio

I woke up to several people showing interest, so there's something at least.

In hindsight I probably could've cleaned it up, make everything look nicer and attempt to put a higher price to regain more of my lost money (if not potentially gain money) but, the goal was to get rid of this thing ASAP so, what are ya gonna do.

---

Well, if no one buys it right off, just take down the ad quickly & re-do it. ;)

And btw, do NOT try to sanitize wood with bleach, not even bleach that's been diluted: wood absorbs too much & will give off toxic fumes forever from bleach- it's not safe for your snake- just don't do it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Well, if no one buys it right off, just take down the ad quickly & re-do it. ;)

And btw, do NOT try to sanitize wood with bleach, not even bleach that's been diluted: wood absorbs too much & will give off toxic fumes forever from bleach- it's not safe for your snake- just don't do it.

---

I have three people "in line" so to speak. One wanted to pick it up today but then tried to lowball (I'm already offering this thing below half of what I paid for it, no thanks) so that will probably not happen. The other two I have on notified standby to see if the first one ponies up. If none of them work out by the end of the day I'll take the ad down, wait a few days while I get it cleaned and presentable, and see if I can't get a little more out of the thing than what I paid and try to turn this whole mess around.

And yeah I kind of automatically figured bleach was too strong by default, absorption or otherwise.

There you go, good for you making some lemonade! Good luck selling it and finding a more suitable home for your snake :)

I was going to finally start cleaning the thing out today thanks to the weather warming up from a last minute chill spell, but of course just my luck both my dad and my next door neighbors decided to burn random wood so now the air's filled with smoke and there's no point in getting the thing out from the tarp (it's on a roofed porch as the only place indoors with room is the basement, which is where my snake is so I obviously don't want the thing anywhere near there) where it's going to get permeated with it so I have to wait yet again.

I am late here in this conversation but I just wanted to say I feel for you. I don't know how big that enclosure is, but I was able to buy a decent sized exo-terra enclosure used through a local ad for one of my snakes for less than $100. It was easy to disinfect because it is glass and metal. If you decide to try looking again, you can probably find something like that . Sometimes you just have to be persistent and look every day and one will pop up. I bought another enclosure at my local reptile store that was on clearance. They also were selling some much larger display enclosures because they were re-doing their shop and those were decent prices. Try calling your local reptile store and see if they have any used enclosures. Sometimes they do. Pets are often brought in to sell to the shops in large enclosures.

Were you ever able to sell the one you bought at the beginning of this thread? Your last post seems to indicate you still have it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FollowTheSun

I am late here in this conversation but I just wanted to say I feel for you. I don't know how big that enclosure is, but I was able to buy a decent sized exo-terra enclosure used through a local ad for one of my snakes for less than $100. It was easy to disinfect because it is glass and metal. If you decide to try looking again, you can probably find something like that . Sometimes you just have to be persistent and look every day and one will pop up. I bought another enclosure at my local reptile store that was on clearance. They also were selling some much larger display enclosures because they were re-doing their shop and those were decent prices. Try calling your local reptile store and see if they have any used enclosures. Sometimes they do. Pets are often brought in to sell to the shops in large enclosures.

Were you ever able to sell the one you bought at the beginning of this thread? Your last post seems to indicate you still have it.

---

Have to clean it up so it looks more "sellable" so yeah I still have it.

I haven't read your other threads so forgive me if I'm mistaken about info you have already shared - but I get the impression your snake is a male BP. If he is currently in an enclosure that's too small, you might look into setting him up in a large plastic tub. Even the biggest tubs are cheap, and fantastic for maintaining proper temp and humidity. That way you could provide him with more room while you save up for a PVC enclosure.

Almost every reputable PVC enclosure maker is absolutely hammered with orders, and while the supply chain for materials will gradually open up as the Covid situation resolves over the next year or so, I don't think you will ever really see a fast turnaround time for a good PVC. So settle in, do your research and planning and saving, and eventually order an enclosure that you can be sure will comfortably accommodate your snake. It is absolutely worth the wait, and in the meantime tub enclosures can be really excellent.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Caitlin

I haven't read your other threads so forgive me if I'm mistaken about info you have already shared - but I get the impression your snake is a male BP. If he is currently in an enclosure that's too small, you might look into setting him up in a large plastic tub. Even the biggest tubs are cheap, and fantastic for maintaining proper temp and humidity. That way you could provide him with more room while you save up for a PVC enclosure.

Almost every reputable PVC enclosure maker is absolutely hammered with orders, and while the supply chain for materials will gradually open up as the Covid situation resolves over the next year or so, I don't think you will ever really see a fast turnaround time for a good PVC. So settle in, do your research and planning and saving, and eventually order an enclosure that you can be sure will comfortably accommodate your snake. It is absolutely worth the wait, and in the meantime tub enclosures can be really excellent.

---

I sneakily "removed" the tub the whole thing came with when I put the ad for it back up earlier today for such purposes. My only hangup is how ambient heat is going to work since I know a regulated UTH shouldn't melt the plastic provided air flow is given, but I'm no so sure about a CHE...

Another thing is I can return the screen top I bought for the 55 gallon I was going to repurpose so, there's a little extra money back there too.

Part of me wants to keep the 55 gallon "just in case" but, it's probably best to sell it anyway. Besides, once he moves to the tub, the retrofitted 30 gallon is still there for "potential future use." :twisted:

You can easily modify a tub to accommodate a CHE. You just cut a round hole in the top, cover it with a pizza screen that you zip tie into place, and hang the CHE outside of the tub. For a large tub you will likely need a UTH to maintain the warm spot and the CHE to maintain ambient temp. Putting the CHE at one end rather than in the middle allows you to create a temp gradient.

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...ea&oe=60903572

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Caitlin

You can easily modify a tub to accommodate a CHE. You just cut a round hole in the top, cover it with a pizza screen that you zip tie into place, and hang the CHE outside of the tub. For a large tub you will likely need a UTH to maintain the warm spot and the CHE to maintain ambient temp. Putting the CHE at one end rather than in the middle allows you to create a temp gradient.

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...ea&oe=60903572

---

This is really cool!

Something I haven't thought about, but how am I going to regulate temps for a new setup, when I only have the one set now? Do I need to get an entire new set of heating elements and t-stats?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snagrio

Something I haven't thought about, but how am I going to regulate temps for a new setup, when I only have the one set now? Do I need to get an entire new set of heating elements and t-stats?

---

You only have one snake, right? You have heat & t-stat for what he's living in now, right? It would be most convenient & helpful IF you had extra equipment to set up another enclosure first, so you can completely test it for a few days (MINIMUM) before moving your snake into it, but I suppose it's going to depend on how prepared (ahead of time) & how skilled at installing things you are too? It's a good idea to have spare heat etc. on hand anyway, because if or when something fails, it takes a while to get a replacement, so I'd advise doing that- getting the extra equipment.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

You only have one snake, right? You have heat & t-stat for what he's living in now, right? It would be most convenient & helpful IF you had extra equipment to set up another enclosure first, so you can completely test it for a few days (MINIMUM) before moving your snake into it, but I suppose it's going to depend on how prepared (ahead of time) & how skilled at installing things you are too? It's a good idea to have spare heat etc. on hand anyway, because if or when something fails, it takes a while to get a replacement, so I'd advise doing that- getting the extra equipment.

---

Kind of figured as much. It's a tentative time figuring out where expenses are going to be allocated in what order once I get some things sold off. I'd love to get the T10 ordered just so it's in the queue already but it's a LARGE chunk of money to drop all at once. But it will probably be the first thing I do anyway because I really need to place the order as the wait's probably going to be a year+ at this point with how production's been slammed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snagrio

Kind of figured as much. It's a tentative time figuring out where expenses are going to be allocated in what order once I get some things sold off. I'd love to get the T10 ordered just so it's in the queue already but it's a LARGE chunk of money to drop all at once. But it will probably be the first thing I do anyway because I really need to place the order as the wait's probably going to be a year+ at this point with how production's been slammed.

---

It's not a year plus to get a AP enclosure. It isn't quick, but it's not over a year. Mine got here in 7 months, and while that may seem like a long time, cutting corners and trying to get something comparable quicker isn't going to solve your enclosure debacle you're dealing with. That being said, you DO NOT HAVE to order a AP enclosure. I kept my BP in a glass tank for almost a year, and could have kept doing it, everything was fine, I just wanted the convenience of a PVC enclosure for the humidity. All of my other animals are in glass tanks, there's no reason, if you can't afford it, for you to think AP is your only option. On that same note, there's zero reason that AP should be the only vendor you look at if you for sure want a PVC enclosure. Plenty of other vendors have been mentioned multiple times, all over the forum.

Going back to what Bogertophis said, you need to have extras of everything. Realistically, something is going to break, and in my experience things break at the worst possible times. For example, couple of weeks back, the heat bulb in my quarantine tank went out at about 10:30 on a Tuesday night. We had a cold snap that night and it got down into the very low 70s in the room where the tank was, and while it probably wouldn't have hurt the snake, I fortunately had a spare bulbs. I have spare heat mats, fixtures, bulbs, substrate, I mean you name it I have at least 2 as backups for all my enclosures. Having extra equipment is right there with having some funds saved for emergency vet care if/when it's needed.

The question "do you need another set of heating equipment" you HAVE to set a new enclosure up and let it run for a few days to make sure you gradient is right, that your temps and humidity are right, etc etc. You can't, I mean you can but personally I think it's poor practice, just stick the snake in a brand new untested enclosure and expect not to have issues.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hugsplox

It's not a year plus to get a AP enclosure. It isn't quick, but it's not over a year. Mine got here in 7 months, and while that may seem like a long time, cutting corners and trying to get something comparable quicker isn't going to solve your enclosure debacle you're dealing with. That being said, you DO NOT HAVE to order a AP enclosure. I kept my BP in a glass tank for almost a year, and could have kept doing it, everything was fine, I just wanted the convenience of a PVC enclosure for the humidity. All of my other animals are in glass tanks, there's no reason, if you can't afford it, for you to think AP is your only option. On that same note, there's zero reason that AP should be the only vendor you look at if you for sure want a PVC enclosure. Plenty of other vendors have been mentioned multiple times, all over the forum.

Going back to what Bogertophis said, you need to have extras of everything. Realistically, something is going to break, and in my experience things break at the worst possible times. For example, couple of weeks back, the heat bulb in my quarantine tank went out at about 10:30 on a Tuesday night. We had a cold snap that night and it got down into the very low 70s in the room where the tank was, and while it probably wouldn't have hurt the snake, I fortunately had a spare bulbs. I have spare heat mats, fixtures, bulbs, substrate, I mean you name it I have at least 2 as backups for all my enclosures. Having extra equipment is right there with having some funds saved for emergency vet care if/when it's needed.

The question "do you need another set of heating equipment" you HAVE to set a new enclosure up and let it run for a few days to make sure you gradient is right, that your temps and humidity are right, etc etc. You can't, I mean you can but personally I think it's poor practice, just stick the snake in a brand new untested enclosure and expect not to have issues.

---

Thing is AP from what I've seen is the most affordable when it comes to PVC setups, and seems to have the most glowing reviews out of any vendor (every time I look up reviews for another brand there always seem to be mentions of how this or that is less in quality compared to AP). And the year+ was a bit of an exaggeration granted, but still.

I think what I'll do is, once I can get the current enclosure sold (I've got someone highly interested in it who should be coming to see it tomorrow, and if they buy it I'll actually be turning a small profit out of the deal), I'll go ahead and place an order for a T10 just so it's squared away and the "clock is set" so to speak. Then as I recover the money spent on that I can get a second set of equipment for a tub setup.

Good luck tomorrow. :gj: And yes, if that was me, I'd get that T10 ordered. If you wait, you'll be in the midst of their "Christmas-holiday rush" of orders- you almost are now anyway. ;)

Still haven't managed to sell it yet (keep getting fakes or people who just waste my time) but I have sold other things to regain enough money so I've finally just placed down an order for a T10 with glass doors, door lock, LEDs and RHP. But I'm a little confused with the Pro Products site that I'm supposed to put the order in from. There's nowhere for me to actually add a RHP to my cart to order so, do I just contact them or something?

Have had no dealings with them, but I think I'd contact them & ask, unless someone else here knows? Glad you're getting your order in. :gj:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snagrio

Still haven't managed to sell it yet (keep getting fakes or people who just waste my time) but I have sold other things to regain enough money so I've finally just placed down an order for a T10 with glass doors, door lock, LEDs and RHP. But I'm a little confused with the Pro Products site that I'm supposed to put the order in from. There's nowhere for me to actually add a RHP to my cart to order so, do I just contact them or something?

---

I called them for mine. Bob is fantastic, he'll ask you what size enclosure you're getting, what your room temps are, and what kind of animal you're keeping, then he'll recommend a size RHP for you. Last I heard he's a little backed up because of Covid, but he'll get you taken care of.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hugsplox

I called them for mine. Bob is fantastic, he'll ask you what size enclosure you're getting, what your room temps are, and what kind of animal you're keeping, then he'll recommend a size RHP for you. Last I heard he's a little backed up because of Covid, but he'll get you taken care of.

---

Got it all done over the phone and also ordered some new hides from Reptile Basics. Everything's set in motion now. :gj: