Mixing tubs as snake rack tubs?

I just come across this and I was thinking it could be a really good tub for a DIY snake rack. I was wondering what you all think?
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...a647b611cd.jpg

I currently have totes on a wire rack housing my snakes and I'm considering building a much nicer snake rack for them. Plus some extra space ;)

Something far more space efficient and maintenance friendly.

These tubs look to be a good size and are going to be much sturdier than most totes you can get at a general box store. My main concern is the fact that them being black there would be very little to no actual light cycle for the ball pythons inside the system. Also the thickness of the tubs could reduce the efficiency of heating pads/heat tape underneath the tubs. But I am really not sure on that.

Ideas and suggestions? Right now just in the thinking and planning stage.

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I've seen them before in Home Depot/Lowe's for mixing concrete & such. I think the total darkness is a big drawback-& if they weren't so hard to cut into, they'd make nice hides for large snakes.

I'm not sure about the heat transfer either- I think they'd be much more insulating than the tubs most are using- they're much heavier & thicker. But some use UTH under wood, so that's about the same thing? I personally wouldn't but some say they do.

And there must be a way to cut a doorway into them (for "hides") because that's what I've seen ppl talk about doing with them. But it would be an awful lot of work, I think, to put clear "windows" in them so they have some light from the room, or to somehow add lighting?

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

And there must be a way to cut a doorway into them (for "hides") because that's what I've seen ppl talk about doing with them. But it would be an awful lot of work, I think, to put clear "windows" in them so they have some light from the room, or to somehow add lighting?

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I have used some of those 50 cent bowls that you get at Walmart for hides for my hatchlings. I cut a hole in them using a soldering iron. Works great for thick plastics.. yeah I think it would be too much work to try to make a window. I know some people use the solid gray bens in the factory snake racks. They probably do not need the light but it just seems like a quality of life issue to me.

Another system I considered was building one with doors on the front that open down instead of sliding tubs. I was going to use clear plexiglass for the fronts. But as I was thinking about it it would make cleaning a pain [emoji28] especially if I made them 8 or 9 in tall and 24 in deep.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Daniel_Effler

My main concern is the fact that them being black there would be very little to no actual light cycle for the ball pythons inside the system. Also the thickness of the tubs could reduce the efficiency of heating pads/heat tape underneath the tubs. But I am really not sure on that.

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I use one as part of my enclosure and I think it works great. You'd probably want to leave a gap at the top to allow in light. I didn't leave a gap, but my snake has the option to come up into an open terrarium.
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...5/dsc03345.jpg

Heat tape works great.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...5/dsc03344.jpg

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Originally Posted by Homebody

I use one as part of my enclosure and I think it works great. You'd probably want to leave a gap at the top to allow in light. I didn't leave a gap, but my snake has the option to come up into an open terrarium.
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...5/dsc03345.jpg

Heat tape works great.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...5/dsc03344.jpg

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Very nice setup. Thanks for showing me!

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I agree, in this case ^ ^ ^ that light isn't an issue when the snake basically has a 2-story home to choose what they way- that's the equivalent of an underground burrow outside. :gj: I just wouldn't want to house snakes in those "drawers" entirely with no options for light. Good to know the UTH works anyway.