Plastic Tub vs Glass Aquarium - Temperament

Is there a difference in the temperament of a snake (BP) kept in a 20L glass aquarium vs. a Sterilite 27 QT opaque tub?

Does it matter that the snake can't see what's going on when in a tub?

A rack system would be a big space saver but it just doesn't seem right. Do the snakes care?

BTW, I've had various pythons when I was younger and want to get a few for my kids. I just want to make sure the snakes stay very friendly. Not really interested in breeding.

Thanks for the help and any suggestions.

I personally don't think it makes much difference in their temperment.

However, remember that BPs are naturally timid and shy snakes. They seem to do better in smaller, more "cozy" quarters as opposed to a large, open glass terrarium where all sides are transparent. In other words, the snake might be more stressed when it feels "exposed" so to speak, as many animals have trouble comprehending the nature of transparent glass.

I vote for a nice, custom snake cage (animal plastics, vision, boaphile, etc) which have only one viewing area in the front and all other sides are enclosed.

The flipside to that is some people think their snakes adjust better to being handled when they can see everything thats going on. They can watch you from their hides and see you're not a threat. But I think it's just personal taste on whether or not to go with aquariums or tubs..

I have housed in both......to me it doesnt seem to make much difference to the snake as long as they have a hide spot and feel comfy.

All of mine are in tubs and all have relaxed and calm personalities.

My first BP was pretty much hatched and raised in a plastic tub at her breeder's. When I bought her from him, she was almost a year old....I put her in a glass tank that I'd had all set up. Temps and humidity were spot on...plenty of hides and leaves to crawl around in.....should have been perfect. But...she wouldn't eat. As soon as I gave in and moved her into a plain ol' tub she started eating like there was no tomorrow.

Of course, this is just my experience with a single snake...take that for what it is. But I truly believe they don't need to "see the world around them" or even particularly want to. They are content knowing their little space in the world is safe and warm and somehow filled with plentiful prey items. :D

All of mine are in tubs as well. I used tanks before and they didnt do me or my snakes any good. They were tougher to clean and my snakes didnt eat well in them at all, so I quickly changed them over to tubs and those problems are history.

Many Ball pythons tend tend to be more nervous when highly visible in a glass tank. Most do better/calmer in a smaller tub enviroment.

This is a generalization and there are always exceptions to the rule.
There is good reason most professionals use tubs, they tend to do much better and maintenance becomes much easier.

I only use tubs for my 50+ snakes

I had posted on this thread earlier but my post is not here. I don't know if this is due to an error by me or the system but I will post again. I have some snakes that are kept in a rack and I have some in PVC cages. Care is much easier in the rack. However, I find that the snakes kept in the rack are all startled to some degree when I slide the tubs out, some more than others. The ones that are in PVC cages with glass or acrylic doors peek out of their hides when I walk into the room and are always at ease. That has been my experience. I would not use a glass tank for the following reasons- The snake would be more exposed and perhaps feel stressed- It would be harder to control heat and humidity- You can't stack them. I would recommend a rack over glass terrariums any day. If you can afford PVC cages and don't have a large number of snakes I would recommend them. The smartest and most cost effective way to go would be a rack. If you buy a new snake you just put it in an empty tub instead of getting a new enclosure (not to suggest that you don't need a quarantine setup of some kind). If a glass tank is your only option because of cost (you can get them free or very cheap) that will also work. I feel either of the other choices would be a better one if you can swing it.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I've had various pythons (many years ago) and have always used glass aquariums. I've only just learned about tubs and racks.

Someone suggested in another thread that putting a young snake in an adult size (27 qt) tub would be bad because the snake wouldn't feel secure in the open area. Some else suggested crumpled newspaper and various hides to fill up the space until the snake grew. I'd rather not have to keep upgrading the size of the tubs because I won't be breeding so the smaller tubs will go to waste quickly.

I want to get three BPs because I have three kids and it would make things less stressful for ME. A rack system of tubs would take up less room and be easier to maintain. Anyone have any suggestions for an inexpensive rack system (with heat) for three or four BPs?

Thanks.

One thing that helped to show me that tubs really work. Is that when I try to keep wild caught snakes (I work w/some stock thats not available CB) they will no eat and settle in w/glass. But in tubs they thrive.
In my experience. Whenever I move an animal into a glass something seems to go wrong.
That's just my experience though. :gj:

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

I want to get three BPs because I have three kids and it would make things less stressful for ME. A rack system of tubs would take up less room and be easier to maintain. Anyone have any suggestions for an inexpensive rack system (with heat) for three or four BPs?

Thanks.

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Check out http://www.reptilebasics.com

Rack systems save room, that's for sure. I even built a rack myself and will build a second one for most of my BPs. Of course, I made the rack to hold 12" tall tubs, since NONE of my snakes like being cramped into those 6" models.

HOWEVER, don't knock tanks! Tanks and glass enclosures can work just as well, if not better, than plastic tubs and racks IF you do things right. Heck, the 5 tanks I have going now are more stable, and look nicer, than all 9 of the tubs including the three in the rack! :)
Sorry...I just tend to run to the defense of tanks. Only those not handled properly, (i.e. not insulated on glass or screen, too tall, lamps instead of UTH or tape) will give headaches and bad environments for the snakes. A correctly set up and maintained tank is wonderful...with the only drawbacks that it's heavy and you can't stack them (but then, there's always laying a tank on its side and making a door for the 'front).

Back to the question at hand: It all depends on each snake. I have one normal girl, my first BP, who sulks and refuses to eat if I try putting her in any kind of tub. My rescued pastel male doesn't seem to care, as long as he has hides he can move around, and my new pastel female eats fine but doesn't seem comfortable in her 10g tank (I intend to try her in a tub and see if she changes at all).
Getting to know your own snake, and trying out different things, Carefully of course, is the way to determine what type of enclosure works for them AND for you. :)

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Check out http://www.reptilebasics.com

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Am I missing something? $280 or a 4 drawer rack system!

The tubs are around $10 each. Is the rack and heat worth $240?

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

Am I missing something? $280 or a 4 drawer rack system!

The tubs are around $10 each. Is the rack and heat worth $240?

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You can build your own if your good with your hands. It'll cost less.

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Originally Posted by JayBP

You can build your own if your good with your hands. It's a lot cheaper.

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Plans anywhere for a three or four drawer rack?

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

Plans anywhere for a three or four drawer rack?

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The measurements would depend on the size tubs you use.

Here are some examples:

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=61531

http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/rack.shtml

www.nsreptiles.com is less expensive.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

Am I missing something? $280 or a 4 drawer rack system!

The tubs are around $10 each. Is the rack and heat worth $240?

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Don't forget that shipping is included in that as well. Most other companies charge shipping that ranges from $50-$100. I have a couple of racks from Rich and I love em.

While I haven't used a tub before, my BP does fine in a tank. He sheds in one piece, eats fine, and isn't aggressive at all. :)

My rack is a three slot, using 90qt tubs (same length and width as a 40, but 12" tall) with space on top for a 20long tank. I did a pictorial of building it that is up on my website Grove of the Magi (link in sig).

Building is MUCH less expensive and you can customize however you wish. Those are the main reasons I don't get an RBI rack, tho Rich is Da Man! :)

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Originally Posted by Argentra

My rack is a three slot, using 90qt tubs (same length and width as a 40, but 12" tall) with space on top for a 20long tank. I did a pictorial of building it that is up on my website Grove of the Magi (link in sig).

Building is MUCH less expensive and you can customize however you wish. Those are the main reasons I don't get an RBI rack, tho Rich is Da Man! :)

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Do they make a tub size that is half of the 90 qt that is 12 inches, a 45 qt that is 12" tall?

Hmm... I'm not sure. I have some tubs that are 26Lx15wx10h and they work wonderfully for subadults. They're size 'L' Rubbermaid Clear Impressions I believe. For my second rack, which will be built to the size of the 90qts, I will be adding 'false floors' on the upper two levels to accommodate these smaller tubs.

I'm building one now that hold 6 v-70 tub and it is 3 feet high, 3 ft long and 18 wide w/ 11" flex watt heat tape in it!

HOLY THREAD DIGGER BATMAN!!

Dude, you gotta look at the dates. :O