ok, so here's my sitchapation.

Situation. Dilema. "A conundrum, if you will..."

I already have the smaller of my two snakes in a tub. I'm switching the larger one over this weekend. I want to stack the tubs, but I don't have a rack. Well, I'm a chick, I have one, but y'know...

My question is: How can I separate the tubs so that the heat pannel for the upper tub isnt laying on the roof of the lower tub? Do I even need to, since heat rises?

Suggestions needed. Thanks,
Haylee

It shouldn't be a problem, but it's always a good idea to get an environment ready before introducing your snakes. Just set it up as planned and take accurate temps of both tubs before placing your snakes in there. If you don't have a spare tub, place the current tub setup with the snake on the top and leave the bottom one empty while waiting for the temp data. Allow a full day for the temps to stabilize.

Somewhere online I have seen where a guy went to an Ikea store and bought a tub stacking unit similar to a rack. He installed flexwatt in it. The only real difference between this set up and a commercially made rack seemed to be that he had to keep the lid on his tubs which you are doing anyway. It seems to me that the price was only about $40 or so. Maybe this set up would be good for you.You can see this rack by doing a Google search of "Ikea rack". It is on the Redtail Boa Forum.

I dont know if the IKEA thing would work for me. I'll just set them on top of each other and see how they do tomorrow.

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Originally Posted by Mindibun

I dont know if the IKEA thing would work for me. I'll just set them on top of each other and see how they do tomorrow.

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what about plywood or something to separate the tubs

www.reptilebasics.com

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Originally Posted by Mindibun

I dont know if the IKEA thing would work for me. I'll just set them on top of each other and see how they do tomorrow.

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Well I just thought that I would throw the idea out there. I thought that the guy had a pretty good idea.

You'll be fine. I have six tubs set up this way on two identical desks. Mine are stacked like this:

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...Tub/Setup3.jpg

You still want to have it up and running for 24 to 48 hours so you can tweak it. The tub sitting on top will be a little warmer than the one on the bottom by a few degrees. So aim to keep the bottom one at the lower end of your temp range (90-94 being the range) so that the top one doesn't get much more than 94.

ok thanks Rabernet, that helped a lot. Also, I cant find anything that is big enough for the larger snake's hides. I've been trying to just find something around the house but so far no luck. What does everyone else use? Right now she likes to get under a big dog dish, but it's impractical and I hate it. She constantly knocks it around too.

Look at dollar stores. I got my last big hides at a Dollar Tree when the Halloween stuff was out. They had these huge party bowls(purple with spiders, EEE! Too cute) and the adult females easily fit under them. And they were only a $1, so might as well.

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Originally Posted by Mindibun

ok thanks Rabernet, that helped a lot. Also, I cant find anything that is big enough for the larger snake's hides. I've been trying to just find something around the house but so far no luck. What does everyone else use? Right now she likes to get under a big dog dish, but it's impractical and I hate it. She constantly knocks it around too.

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Small kitty litter pans are marvelous!

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...b/Sarahtub.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...outsidetub.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...oraAugust5.jpg

I thought about that but didnt think they'd fit. At least not two at once. What did you use to cut the hole in it btw?

The water bowls you have in those pics are what she likes to use. Originally it was a water bowl (go figure, huh? -lol-) but she was constantly tipping it to get under and inside it. Now I just give her a little bowl for water and let her do with that one as she likes. But she bangs it around like I said, and sometimes drops it on herself and I worry she cant get out (even though I know that's probably ridiculous.)

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Originally Posted by Mindibun

I thought about that but didnt think they'd fit. At least not two at once. What did you use to cut the hole in it btw?

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Two at once? I only house one snake per enclosure. During breeding, the hide is removed.

I used a solder iron to melt the entrance out.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

I used a solder iron to melt the entrance out.

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Aromatic, and cleanup's a breeze! But fun, no doubt! :)

Also, a good bread-knife works for stuff like that. Just use it like a saw.

No, no, not two snakes at once. I meant two hides at once. Everyone says the tub itself is a hide but my tubs are in a relatively high-traffic area, so I like to give two hides.

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Originally Posted by Mindibun

No, no, not two snakes at once. I meant two hides at once. Everyone says the tub itself is a hide but my tubs are in a relatively high-traffic area, so I like to give two hides.

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These hides are large enough to allow the snake to choose warm or cool end of the hide, yet dark enough to provide a sense of security. Don't believe it? This girl was in the cool side of the hide! :D And she was 2500 grams.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...b/Sarahtub.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...ayundertub.jpg

I like using heavy, crockery bowls for water. None of my snakes can tip them over.. and I never end up with cold-water-soaked tubs.