Tubs

I'm looking into switching to tubs, I get the vibe my girl might really like one a lot more than her tank (privacy issue). She is 4 years old about 33 inches long and thick. I am not sure of her exact weight.

few questions about tubs:

What size tub would be best for her size and age (what dimensions should it be)?


does plastic heat up faster than glass? should i bump my heating pad a size down? (its a zilla pad designed for 30-40 gal tanks)

Where are some places i can get tubs that work well for bps? ( I would really prefer going to a local store rather than ordering one online)

Are there another do's don'ts that I should or shouldn't do with the tub that I would do with an aquarium?

Is there a preferred substrate for a tub?

thanks in advance :)

A tub will typically have less height and less ventalation than a tank so actually you should not have to use as big of a heat mat due to it holding the temp. I would suggest a cb70 tub it does seem to be the standard for large breeders to house there snakes and it being 3 feet long should create a good gradiant. I personallly use 41 qt sterilites but hopefully some time this year i will be switching from my homemade rack to a ars or freedom breeder to save some room in my house. You can get a cb70 tub at bed bath and beyond its for underbed storage. If you want to order one check out reptile tubs.com. Your humidity will also go up in a tub so you might have to work with additional ventalation to allow the humidity to be correct.

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Originally Posted by snakedork

A tub will typically have less height and less ventalation than a tank so actually you should not have to use as big of a heat mat due to it holding the temp. I would suggest a cb70 tub it does seem to be the standard for large breeders to house there snakes and it being 3 feet long should create a good gradiant. I personallly use 41 qt sterilites but hopefully some time this year i will be switching from my homemade rack to a ars or freedom breeder to save some room in my house. You can get a cb70 tub at bed bath and beyond its for underbed storage. If you want to order one check out reptile tubs.com. Your humidity will also go up in a tub so you might have to work with additional ventalation to allow the humidity to be correct.

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how would i help ventilate? you mean by poking holes in the top?

If your current heat pad is currently stuck on the bottom of your tank with adhesive, don't use it on your tub. Removing it from the glass may actually damage the heat elements inside and create hot spots.

Heating pads should be controlled by either a thermostat or a rheostat or dimmer, so that they do not overheat.

I use a 41 quart Sterilite tub from Walmart (about $8) with a locking lid. Get a solder wand and solder out ventilation holes (start with a few and add more if your humidity is too high).

I solder holes about an inch apart across the top rim of the tub and some in the lid.

You can make one nice hide for such a big girl with a kitty litter pan (small Van Ness also from Walmart). Solder out a doorway in the kitty litter pan with it upside down. Get a large crock from Walmart too for a water dish.

I place the water dish on the cool end and the hide next to it, so that the snake can thermoregulate inside the hide like this:


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

She's in the cool side of this hide:

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

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

I've used aspen and I currently use un-printed newsprint now for my substrate.

While you're at Walmart, pick up this digital thermometer/hygrometer in the hardware department with the indoor/outdoor thermometers (about $12)

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...mageloader.gif

I attach it to the inside of the tub with velcro - otherwise, the snake will always be turning it over. Run the probe to the inside of the warm side of the tub.

Good luck!

thanks so much!

as far as resticking the heat pad...would it be safe if i put something thing between the heat pad and the tub bottom? It feels like a waste not to use the pads i already have.

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Originally Posted by zackw419

thanks so much!

as far as resticking the heat pad...would it be safe if i put something thing between the heat pad and the tub bottom? It feels like a waste not to use the pads i already have.

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It's just not worth the risk to me. The price of a new heat pad vs. the price of a vet visit to treat a burn seems worth it to me to go ahead and invest in a new one. I'm sure she's worth it! :)

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Originally Posted by rabernet

It's just not worth the risk to me. The price of a new heat pad vs. the price of a vet visit to treat a burn seems worth it to me to go ahead and invest in a new one. I'm sure she's worth it! :)

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yeah, you're right.

ps 1 more q

so should get 1 hide big enough to fit the hot and cool side? I thought they preferred tight fitting hides?

I personally use one tight fitting hide on the warm side. It works well for me.

You could order flexwatt for your tub. It's only a couple bucks and I trust it a lot more than UTHs (I had one go haywire once). you would just need one foot of the 11" wide stuff, plus one of the cords.

My setup for my 1270 g girl looks almost just like Rabernet's! I use the same tub, same therm/hygro, but I have a massive crock that was given to me. As you can tell by the dirt in it, cypress can be dusty. I have since switched to aspen, and she also has two hides (black plastic from RBI and a cereal box), one on the flexwatt and one off.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...g?t=1235249273

I'm not sure if this tub will be big enough for her when she's an adult? I will at least have to get a smaller water crock, that's for sure, but for the meantime I LOVE this one that she can't flip!

v

Mine haven't been able to flip the crock from Walmart so far (knock wood).

As for the answer on the hide and if it's snug enough. The key in this instance is that it's DARK inside, and they feel secure in it. Whichever end they are curled up in, they are feeling touching them on the top and three sides. All my adult females in this tub are set up this way, and all come flying out of those hides on feeding day! LOL

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Originally Posted by zackw419

yeah, you're right.

ps 1 more q

so should get 1 hide big enough to fit the hot and cool side? I thought they preferred tight fitting hides?

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I give mine tight hides. A smaller enclosure that fits one hide comfortably can work well, as the snake will move the hide.

Mine routinely switch the hide around from hot to cool. :)

Bruce

Just got this tub from wallmart, im having second thoughts on whether there is enough height to it or not. I know ball pythons aren't arboreal but mine is always crawling up her stick and up the walls of the aquarium. I just don't want to limit her. but as far as surface space there is PLENTY.


Thought?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zackw419

just got this tub from wallmart, im having second thoughts on whether there is enough height to it or not. I know ball pythons aren't arboreal but mine is always crawling up her stick and up the walls of the aquarium. I just don't want to limit her. But as far as surface space there is plenty.


Thought?

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...9/SANY0332.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...9/SANY0333.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zackw419

Just got this tub from wallmart, im having second thoughts on whether there is enough height to it or not. I know ball pythons aren't arboreal but mine is always crawling up her stick and up the walls of the aquarium. I just don't want to limit her. but as far as surface space there is PLENTY.


Thought?

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If she's always climbing, she could be stressed out and looking for ways to get out. I'm more concerned over my ball pythons that are constantly cruising than those who I rarely see.

Set her up in this, if she disappears after a day of acclimating and you rarely see her - she's likely pleased as punch with her new set-up!

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Originally Posted by zackw419

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...9/SANY0332.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...9/SANY0333.jpg

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Hmmm, you didn't get the one with a locking lid - be SURE that you have some good security on that tub, a big girl will be able to pop that lid off. I'd suggest some luggage straps. But it's plenty big for an adult - longer than the one I use (mine is wider).

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Originally Posted by rabernet

If she's always climbing, she could be stressed out and looking for ways to get out. I'm more concerned over my ball pythons that are constantly cruising than those who I rarely see.

Set her up in this, if she disappears after a day of acclimating and you rarely see her - she's likely pleased as punch with her new set-up!

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edit

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Hmmm, you didn't get the one with a locking lid - be SURE that you have some good security on that tub, a big girl will be able to pop that lid off. I'd suggest some luggage straps. But it's plenty big for an adult - longer than the one I use (mine is wider).

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so you think the height demensions are fine? If you think the one you use is big enough it would be no problem to go and switch this one out tomarow, I was debating between the one you had, and this one.


oh, and ps a she only comes out at night so its not like shes constanly moving all day, in the day shes in the hide.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zackw419

so you think the height demensions are fine? If you think the one you use is big enough it would be no problem to go and switch this one out tomarow, I was debating between the one you had, and this one.


oh, and ps a she only comes out at night so its not like shes constanly moving all day, in the day shes in the hide.

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Yup - six inches is fine for height - even enough room for them to hang out on top of their hide.

Worst case scenario, you try the tub and decide you don't like it and can go back to the tank. But I think after a few weeks in the tub, you'll find that keeping her husbandry correct and cleaning will be so much easier, and she'll probably be happier too!

The one you have is fine - as long as you properly secure it so that she can't escape it - I don't trust that type of lid. If you had a rack you could slide it into without the lid - even better! :)

I think im going to get the one you have because it would be alot more convienient rather than wraping the one i have up with belts. Are you sure this is big enough for an adult female? (lol..i worry alot) Will she ever need something bigger? If so, how will I know?

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Originally Posted by zackw419

I think im going to get the one you have because it would be alot more convienient rather than wraping the one i have up with belts. Are you sure this is big enough for an adult female? (lol..i worry alot) Will she ever need something bigger? If so, how will I know?

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It's the largest enclosure that I use for my adult females, the largest one being 3200 grams (over six pounds). The nice thing about tubs, if you need to go larger, it's not expensive to do so.

Before you stick the heat pad on, stop by the plumbing section and pick up some aluminum tape for plumbing and use that to stick the heat pad on the enclosure (tape at the edges). That way you can re-use the heat pad again if you need to move it to another tub.

As far as how will you know if she needs larger - just learn to read your snake. If she's eating, pooping and shedding regularly, and using her hide, then she should be just fine!

Finished Product:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...9/SANY0334.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...9/SANY0336.jpg

I have the 'out' heating prob thingy sitting on top of the substrate, is that where it should be? (it say 94F on the warm side)

the cool side says 72F if thats not warm enough how can i heat that up?

and the humitity is 80%, i probably need to make some more holes later.

other than that i think bally digs it

I think she digs it too - and she's smaller than I thought (if she fits in that hide).

You can always get a small space heater and set it in front of the tub to raise the cool side temps, but I wouldn't be too worried about 72 degrees if she has 94 on the warm side available to her!

Looks great and I bet you (and she) are going to love it!

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Originally Posted by rabernet

I think she digs it too - and she's smaller than I thought (if she fits in that hide).

You can always get a small space heater and set it in front of the tub to raise the cool side temps, but I wouldn't be too worried about 72 degrees if she has 94 on the warm side available to her!

Looks great and I bet you (and she) are going to love it!

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Thanks a bunch Rabernet :)

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Originally Posted by zackw419

Thanks a bunch Rabernet :)

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My pleasure! :)