Tub Questions

I finally got my Sterilite tubs (yay), and just read through the sticky on setup... but of course, there are a few more questions I have to ask. TIA for any advice!

- I only have the 3 UTHs on my current tanks, so how do I get the tubs stabilized before moving the snakes? Wouldn't I have to freeze them in their current homes to do that? :confused: I can't afford to buy 3 spare heaters!

- That thread says not to stick the UTH directly on a tub, but rather to leave the paper on. Since I've already taken off the paper (to stick to my glass tanks), how do I make them plastic-safe again?

- Can you stack tubs without a rack? I will be getting one eventually, but in the meantime I thought about stacking at least 2 of the tubs.

- This might be a really stupid question, but just to verify... do more holes equal lower humidity and vice-versa? My house is pretty cold and dry, so maybe I should start with fewer holes than usual - and just add as needed.

- Finally, will they still need two identical hides? Delilah and Mona have rock caves that are pretty big, so I can't fit two of each in a tub. Should I just get rid of those and get flatter ones instead? (like these: http://www.reptilebasics.com/Hide-Boxes-p-1-c-282.html)

The way I switched tank to tub a few days back, is I held him for 2 hours until the heat mat had adjusted.

My UTH is directly on the plastic, and the plastic hasn't melted one bit.

I'm not really sure about that one.

Yeah. Adding more holes will reduce the humidity significantly because of more air flow.

My little guy doesn't have 2 identical hides and is just fine. But if you want 2 identical ones, those look good.

Wrap the UTH's in tin foil to cure the stickies.

Your snakes will be fine without heat for a couple hours. Just make sure they haven't recently eaten and get the temps stable asap!

Dennis

Once you take the UTHs off the tanks, just keep the ambient temps up higher than 70. You could wrap the tanks in a blanket if your house is colder than that like you said. It won't really hurt them for a couple hours.

Thanks everyone! I thought it took DAYS to stabilize, so I was more worried than necessary... LOL. ;)

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I finally got my Sterilite tubs (yay), and just read through the sticky on setup... but of course, there are a few more questions I have to ask. TIA for any advice!

- I only have the 3 UTHs on my current tanks, so how do I get the tubs stabilized before moving the snakes? Wouldn't I have to freeze them in their current homes to do that? :confused: I can't afford to buy 3 spare heaters!

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They will be fine for a few hours without heat.

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- That thread says not to stick the UTH directly on a tub, but rather to leave the paper on. Since I've already taken off the paper (to stick to my glass tanks), how do I make them plastic-safe again?

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The only reason UTHs are plastic safe is because they should be used with a thermostat. If the UTH is regulated properly it shouldn't matter if it has the paper on or not. I just hope you can peel the UTHs off the tanks without screwing them up.

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- Can you stack tubs without a rack? I will be getting one eventually, but in the meantime I thought about stacking at least 2 of the tubs.

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You could stack them but then the bottom tub (and all the tubs in the center) will be receiving a hot spot of 92* from the bottom and top. I don't Think this would be *bad*. You could try it out and see how it works. If there is a huge temp difference, I would just line them up side by side.

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- This might be a really stupid question, but just to verify... do more holes equal lower humidity and vice-versa? My house is pretty cold and dry, so maybe I should start with fewer holes than usual - and just add as needed.

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More holes = Lower humidity
Less holes = Higher humidity.
Add holes as needed.

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- Finally, will they still need two identical hides? Delilah and Mona have rock caves that are pretty big, so I can't fit two of each in a tub. Should I just get rid of those and get flatter ones instead? (like these: http://www.reptilebasics.com/Hide-Boxes-p-1-c-282.html)

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If they aren't in a rack setup, use two hides. Racks are usually enclosed on three sides which makes it pretty dark and cozy. If the tub is standing alone, it isn't as enclosed. My snakes actually use hides that are way to small for them. They still like to use them so I haven't bothered to upgrade. If you think it is worth it to get some new hides, then go for it!

yay tubs!

Everybody here has gave you all the advice you asked for so I just wanted to congratulate you.
Welcome to the tub-club and I gurantee you will never think twice about putting them back in those tanks :D

Thanks again! :) One more question, though... Mona has been in shed for about a week, and seems a few more days away from finishing. Should I wait until she's done before moving her? The obvious answer seems to be yes, but I'm afraid she will have a horrible shed in her current tank. It's been so cold (outside) this week, I can barely keep the hot side above 82 - and the humidity stays around 50-55, even with frequent misting. Is it too late to save this shed cycle?

P.S. With the help of my roommate and a new electric drill (another pickup from Walmart today), we got holes in two of the tubs - halfway there! :gj:

I would just move her. Stress does not affect a shed. Proper husbandry does.

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Originally Posted by Lolo76

P.S. With the help of my roommate and a new electric drill (another pickup from Walmart today), we got holes in two of the tubs - halfway there! :gj:

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Soldering iron is WAY easier. :D

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Originally Posted by wax32

Soldering iron is WAY easier. :D

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Can you post a pic of a soldering Iron. I though it was a glue gun, but I guess I was wrong. Good thing, I was gonna buy one this weekend...

DUH! nevermind I found a pic. I feel so dumb now haha! about how much does a cheap one cost?

Thanx!!

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Originally Posted by wax32

Soldering iron is WAY easier. :D

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Really? It was a pain in the butt when I did it.

Compared to drilling holes I found it slower, smellier, and you only have one hole size choice. I vote drilling all the way! :gj:

Dennis

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Originally Posted by Hapa_Haole

Really? It was a pain in the butt when I did it.

Compared to drilling holes I found it slower, smellier, and you only have one hole size choice. I vote drilling all the way! :gj:

Dennis

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You can easily snap the plastic tubs when drilling. There are size options with soldering irons, you just have to get different sized tips.

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Originally Posted by Danounet

DUH! nevermind I found a pic. I feel so dumb now haha! about how much does a cheap one cost?

Thanx!!

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I got a really cheap one from Walmart for $5-10. Works perfect for holes.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

You can easily snap the plastic tubs when drilling. There are size options with soldering irons, you just have to get different sized tips.

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I always read that but when I drilled my two tubs it couldn't have been easier.

Point the drill, brace the tub, click the trigger and you got a hole. Have you ever done it yourself? Or are you just repeating what many others have said? Because it seems like cracking a tub would be pretty hard to do IMO.

Dennis

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Originally Posted by Hapa_Haole

I always read that but when I drilled my two tubs it couldn't have been easier.

Point the drill, brace the tub, click the trigger and you got a hole. Have you ever done it yourself? Or are you just repeating what many others have said? Because it seems like cracking a tub would be pretty hard to do IMO.

Dennis

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Well you have to think about it too, if you have a drill great! but if you dont have one, why spend all the money in a drill? I think the soldering Iron would be much, much cheaper. I for one dont have a drill where I live. :P

FYI: I only paid $10.99 for my new drill at Walmart. ;) It's a cheapo Black & Decker wireless drill, but it worked just fine!

Well, Since I was a pyromaniac when I was a kid, I still prefer the burn it to hell aproach :taz:

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Originally Posted by Danounet

Well, Since I was a pyromaniac when I was a kid, I still prefer the burn it to hell aproach :taz:

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LOL... I had a wood-burning kit when I was a kid, and it was pretty cool. :D

Btw, I have Mona's tub set up now, but I'm just waiting for it to warm up... humidity is looking great (57-58%), but the temps are still below 80. It has been almost 2 hours, so hopefully it doesn't take all night! Mona is in her old tank with a ceramic lamp, and looks like she'll be fine for a while.

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Originally Posted by Lolo76

FYI: I only paid $10.99 for my new drill at Walmart.

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Drill from WalMart, tubs from WalMart, hides from WalMart, AcuRite from WalMart... didn't know WalMart was also SnakeMart, LOL!

How's the new tub coming along?

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Originally Posted by Patricia

Drill from WalMart, tubs from WalMart, hides from WalMart, AcuRite from WalMart... didn't know WalMart was also SnakeMart, LOL!

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I know, huh?! We don't even have a WalMart around here (I was in the East Bay yesterday), since San Franciscans consider them the devil... but as the owner of 3 snakes, 2 cats and a dog, I only care about good deals. :salute:

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How's the new tub coming along?

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I cross-posted the answer to that a minute ago, LOL. The temperatures are still pretty low, so I'm afraid I might have to use the heat lamp too... how would I set that up with my tub? I'm not a handy person, so I can't do anything too complicated!

Oh, or I could remove the foil that's currently wrapped around the UTH - would that make a difference? If I understood correctly, it should NOT melt a Sterilite tub if I stick it directly on the plastic. Right?

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Originally Posted by Lolo76

(I was in the East Bay yesterday)

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My brother lives in the East Bay area, and we're planning to go visit next month. There must be a dozen WalMarts within spitting distance of him!

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Originally Posted by Lolo76

Oh, or I could remove the foil that's currently wrapped around the UTH - would that make a difference? If I understood correctly, it should NOT melt a Sterilite tub if I stick it directly on the plastic. Right?

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Leave the foil, it makes it easier to remove when cleaning and wouldn't make a difference heat wise.

To use a heat lamp, you need to find a way to hang the lamp maybe 16" off the top of the tub.

What size UTH are you using and what size tub? I apologize if you've already stated the answers to these.

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Originally Posted by mrshawt

Leave the foil, it makes it easier to remove when cleaning and wouldn't make a difference heat wise.

To use a heat lamp, you need to find a way to hang the lamp maybe 16" off the top of the tub.

What size UTH are you using and what size tub? I apologize if you've already stated the answers to these.

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Thanks! For Mona (the one I'm working on right now), I am using a 41 quart Sterilite tub with locking lid, and a 10-20 gallon ZooMed UTH. With her glass (20gal) tank, I also used a ceramic heat emitter laid on the screen.

So, how the heck will I mount the light? Hmmmmmm..... :cool:

There's the problem: Upgrade to a 30-40g UTH. It's what I'm using in my cold house and it works great.

I think if you get a bigger UTH, you won't even need the CHE above. It's great with tubs that you don't have to worry about heating all this empty air space.

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Originally Posted by Patricia

My brother lives in the East Bay area, and we're planning to go visit next month. There must be a dozen WalMarts within spitting distance of him!

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Yeah, they are ALL in the East Bay! None in the city (SF) or the Peninsula, so we just go to Target instead... ;)

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Originally Posted by mrshawt

There's the problem: Upgrade to a 30-40g UTH. It's what I'm using in my cold house and it works great.

I think if you get a bigger UTH, you won't even need the CHE above. It's great with tubs that you don't have to worry about heating all this empty air space.

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Awesome. I needed an extra 10-20gal UTH anyway, since Toby's glass tank only has a lamp... so I'll just buy a 30-40 instead! :gj:

P.S. I also live in a cold house (and climate), and 2 of the snakes are in the coldest room - my bedroom, which rarely gets above 65 degrees. I love it that way, but the snakes probably disagree.

Here's how it looks now... the humidity is already at 72, so I might actually have to drill more holes. I was also surprised how well her caves fit, since they seemed too big for the tub. Yay!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9...D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9...D550/ry%3D400/

I hate to ask, but what kind of tape is that in the last pic?

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Originally Posted by mrshawt

I hate to ask, but what kind of tape is that in the last pic?

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It's "duck tape" which is like duct tape but not quite as sticky - no good?

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Originally Posted by Lolo76

It's "duck tape" which is like duct tape but not quite as sticky - no good?

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If you're going to leave it in there make sure there is absolutely no way for it to come off. Snakes and tape don't mix well. I think most people recommend to not have any tape in there at all.

Dennis

If you realy wanna stick that there, You should probably get a hot glue gun. I already learned the hardway before I hit these boards :(.

Looks great though. I am jealous :P. Just how big is mona?

Painters tape (the blue masking tape) can also be used. It has very weak glue.

I would say even painters tape is too sticky. Low tack artist tape is the only thing I would use. Preferably nothing though.

If there is something sticky in there, the snake will find a way to get stuck to it.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

I would say even painters tape is too sticky. Low tack artist tape is the only thing I would use. Preferably nothing though.

If there is something sticky in there, the snake will find a way to get stuck to it.

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I've never seen artist's tape before, what's it like?

Lolo, I run my probe cord underneath the substrate and it doesn't really move around a lot.

Is that enough air for a snake? (Seriously asking, in case I ever move to a tub setup.)

I LOVE her name in the colored squares! :gj:

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Originally Posted by Patricia

Is that enough air for a snake? (Seriously asking, in case I ever move to a tub setup.)

I LOVE her name in the colored squares! :gj:

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If there are holes, there is air flow.

The number of holes are more for controlling humidity than allowing more air to breathe.

(I say go for the tubs! :))

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Originally Posted by Hapa_Haole

If you're going to leave it in there make sure there is absolutely no way for it to come off. Snakes and tape don't mix well. I think most people recommend to not have any tape in there at all.

Dennis

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Alrighty, I can just run the wire under the paper... I was afraid that was more dangerous, since Delilah once got twisted up in hers! :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Danounet

Looks great though. I am jealous :P. Just how big is mona?

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Thanks! Mona is my BIG girl, at just over 4ft long and nearly 2000g... :)

Next to my juvie female
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF5714.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p.../DSCF56652.jpg

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Originally Posted by Patricia

Is that enough air for a snake? (Seriously asking, in case I ever move to a tub setup.)

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I know, it doesn't look like enough - but supposedly it is! I mean, they can live in a pillowcase & box overnight, so I guess they don't need a whole lot of air. ;)

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I LOVE her name in the colored squares! :gj:

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Thanks. :) I was just going to use them for labeling the tubs, and came up with that idea at the last minute.

Btw, I just WAY overpaid for a 30-40gal UTH at PetCo, but I was desperate... didn't have time to order it online, especially since it's now the weekend. This thing had better work, or I'm taking it back in a heartbeat - might return it anyway, if I can get one online quickly.

Snakes dont use as much Oxigen as mammals do, their metabolisms are totaly different. They are reptiles after all.

As far as the wire goes. You can do what I do. Who said the wire has to be inside? I place the accurite unit in the cold side in a corner, run the wire outside. Then the wire comes back in the oposite corner and goes under the warm side hide. :)

Ah-ha... good idea! :gj:

Oh ya I forgot, I got carried away with the wire stuff lol. She looks big and beautiful!

How long did it take her to get that big? how old is she? How big and old is the other one in the pic for comparison. I cant wait till my girl gets that big! :D

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Originally Posted by Danounet

Oh ya I forgot, I got carried away with the wire stuff lol. She looks big and beautiful!

How long did it take her to get that big? how old is she? How big and old is the other one in the pic for comparison. I cant wait till my girl gets that big! :D

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I got her as an adult from a breeder (J&J Reptiles), so I'm not responsible for her impressive girth. ;) But as far as I know, she was born in either 2005 or 2006, and laid a clutch last season... therefore she is at least 3 years old. As for the little girl, I got her as a hatchling in February, so she's around 6-7 months old & ~350g currently. She is a very picky eater, so her growth was slow at first... now that we know what she likes and how she likes it, I'm hoping she will catch up with Mona eventually!

Here's an even better comparison shot of the girls...

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF5715.jpg

I haven't introduced her to Toby yet, who will be her future mate (hopefully)... but he's a little younger than Delilah and around 340g.

I see, I wonder how big a male would get compared to her size :).

I dont know why, but for some reason I find female pets have more personality than males. Ive had female dogs all my life, and just one male dog. And in the case of balls, the females get bigger, which is a plus for me :D