Deli cups water dishes, pvc pipes and silicone...questions ;)

[zina10]

I have become tired of my Ball Pythons pushing their water dishes around. They manage to tip even the heavy, no tip ones over. They never get tipped over all the way, of course, but they tip them slightly and water sloshes out. They also get substrate pushed in.

So I've been playing with the idea of the "Deli cup" water dishes. They are big enough, a bit taller (not to tall, though) and will be easy to swap out. I want to install a "mount" into the tub. Basically, a PVC pipe ring, that has the perfect diameter to hold the deli cup in place. I planned to hot glue the PVC down.

I've received the Deli cups today and was going to go to Lowes later to see what I can buy, PVC wise.

But there is just one thing that is bugging me. I don't want liquid urates or any nastiness to be able to creep underneath that PVC and Deli cup. That would defeat the purpose of making this easy and keeping it clean. So I thought about "sealing" the ring of PVC with some sort of silicone, just put a bead all around the bottom to keep any liquids or "stuff" from seeping under it.

Does anyone see a problem with that ? Which sealer would be "safe" for snakes ? Aquarium one?? How long should I "air it out" ?

I want to be sure I do this right...before I glue stuff

I have bought brand new tubs as well, so that I have an extra set. This way I can take my time setting this up.

Thanks for any help and ideas

[Eavlynn]

Any silicon sealant should work, I've used the clear lexel sealant with a lot of my projects. Your plan sounds good in theory, the only way to know if it will work well in practice is to try it.

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[CALM Pythons]

Just bought some today... DAP Silicone bath & kitchen waterproof ect... $5.68 at lowes. I love your idea too.. Depending on the size of the water dish you can Silicone just about any PVC/Plastic barrier that sits about the same height so it cant be spilled.. Take a walk around the Plumbing Section near Toilet Drains so the PVC Pipe Circumference is bigger than sink pvc, at least like a (6") pvc Coupler.

[CALM Pythons]

Id decide on the size (Diameter cup your going to use and buy a 10' length) and cut a bunch off cylinders off of it.. Here is a example of a 8" diameter... Of corse the smaller the diameter the cheaper and vice versa.
I found up to 12" diameter and down to 1.5"...
https://m.lowes.com/pd/Charlotte-Pip...-Pipe/50152524

6" too
https://m.lowes.com/pd/Charlotte-Pip...-Pipe/50152546

[cchardwick]

There is a coupler that fits perfect and one that is close but is slightly too large, I'm not sure what you call the one that fits perfect but look around and you'll find it. I think it cost less than $2 per coupler. I put them in all my ARS-80 tubs and used silicone to glue them down. I glue all the way around the coupler to the bottom, I've only ever had one pop off, I still need to reglue it, but for now I'm using it for a small king snake that can't push it over. They even work great for my 10 pound reticulated python, she can't knock it over. I used to throw out all my dirty deli cups but I decided to keep them and wash them when I run out, works great instead of buying new cups. If you buy a case of 500 you can use new ones for a very long time before you have to wash the old ones out (depending on how many tubs you have). My ARS-70 series tubs have built in cup holders, they basically work the same. The couplers work great but are not as pretty as the built in cup holders LOL. Of course you really can't tell when the deli cup is in there and full of water.

[zina10]

Thanks all, for the tips and advice !! Very much appreciated

I got this today to seal around the PVC. Its safe for aquariums and around food, so I figure it should be plenty safe around reptiles, once cured..




Finally got my deli cups in, too.





I have looked at different PVC couplers online. Seems most people use the 4 inch one. However, my Deli cups are just a bit over 4 inch wide on the bottom, and of course the top has that lip around it that makes it even wider. The lip can rest on the PVC, so not a problem, but not sure the deli cup will fit into the 4 inch coupler. I would rather the coupler not be way bigger around then the Deli cup, would prefer a snug fit.

Tomorrow I will take one of the Deli cups to the hardware store and have a look around. Ideally I will find some coupler that will fit, because then I don't have to cut rings off of a pipe. Either way, I will find something I want this to look good and be functional..

[zina10]

Ok, I'm not sure "how" I measured the deli cups earlier, but they are actually a bit LESS then 4 inch across the bottom. So I'm getting the 4 inch PVC couplers tomorrow, and then I will fix up the new tubs, let the silicone cure, and move the snakes into the clean, new and improved tubs

Then I can deep clean and scrub the old tubs and keep them as spares..

I'm looking forward NOT to have all that soaked aspen from spilled water in freshly cleaned tubs

[BR8080]

That is an awesome idea!!!

I've often come home from work (I work midnight shift at the 911 center) and it looks like a bulldozer has been through her enclosure and wondered what I'm going to do when my snakes grow.

The only thing I wonder is if it's large enough for them to get a soak if they want? Do balls ever soak like boas do?

[Meerna]

Could someone upload a picture of the coupler you're talking about? I've been looking for a way to keep my snakes from dumping their water bowls as well, I already have a tube of that DAP sealant from making things for my axolotls. Are you still planning on gluing the pvc to the tub as well?

[CALM Pythons]

Ok, I'm not sure "how" I measured the deli cups earlier, but they are actually a bit LESS then 4 inch across the bottom. So I'm getting the 4 inch PVC couplers tomorrow, and then I will fix up the new tubs, let the silicone cure, and move the snakes into the clean, new and improved tubs

Then I can deep clean and scrub the old tubs and keep them as spares..

I'm looking forward NOT to have all that soaked aspen from spilled water in freshly cleaned tubs

Well a 4" coupler is a millimeter bigger so that it slides over a 4" PVC (outside Diameter) pipe..so the 4" coupler should be 100% perfect for you