Switching to a Tub

[UWStoutNinja]

I have only had my ball Mitch for a couple of months and I am already tired of spraying his 20gl screen topped tank down 4 or 5 times a day. I have decided to switch to a tub. I have already purchased everything I need, the only question I have is what should I do about air flow? If any of you have advice or pictures I would really appreciate it. I would like to add that these forums are a huge help, I wish I would have found this place before I got Mitch, it would have saved me a lot of time and money. Thanks a lot guys you are all a big help for a newbie like myself.

[elevatethis]

Use a soldering iron to punch about 6-8 small holes on the sides of the tub, that should be enough ventilation but not so much that you'll lose a lot of heat/humidity.

[krood]

you'll probably need more holes than that to keep the humidity under 60%. at least i did with mine. lol the back of it looks like swiss cheese. just start out with what elevatethis suggested and add more holes if necessary. you can always add more but you don't want to have too many.

[mxrider42]

Get a soldering iron to make the holes. I tried a drill and the drill cracked the side of the tub.

[Chase13]

You can get a soldering gun for about $6 at a walmart or radio shack. Start out with what Brad suggested and just add more holes until you get it right. Alos, when you do use a soldering gun, make sure you do it in a ventalated area. Outside would be best if its nice out or a garage. I do it in my bathroom with the fan on and leave it on for about 20 min after making the holes so I get all the burnt plastic smell out. By the way, do you mind me asking what you mean when you say "i have everything i need". Just curious...

[UWStoutNinja]

I have flexwatt for the bottom of the tub and a heat pad if I need it. I just need to get some rheostats and I should be set. I also have a taylor inside/outside thermometer so I can get the temps correct before I put him in the tub. One more quick question. Would a light dimmer work with a foot of 4" flexwatt or do you guys suggest a rheostat designed for reptiles. Thanks. Oh and I am just moving the 2 identical hides, water dish, half log, and climbing logs into his tub so he should adjust quickly.

[Chase13]

Id suggest a t-stat of some kind but dimmer switches do work. I mean if you get a dimmer switch that does what you want, i dont see why not. Maybe you could use a dimmer switch temporarilly until you get a rheo or t-stat.

[racerjay]

If I may hijack the thread for just one question...


Husbandry being considered equal, would a BP be more happy in a tank, or a tub? I like the tank for looking at him, but my wife won't let me keep him in view anyway so he's in the back room of our finished basement. Therefore, he doesn't get seen much by anybody but me anyway. If he'd be happier and more secure in a tub, I'll gladly set one up for him.

[tmlowe5704]

If I may hijack the thread for just one question...


Husbandry being considered equal, would a BP be more happy in a tank, or a tub? I like the tank for looking at him, but my wife won't let me keep him in view anyway so he's in the back room of our finished basement. Therefore, he doesn't get seen much by anybody but me anyway. If he'd be happier and more secure in a tub, I'll gladly set one up for him.

Tub for sure! There are more reasons people house them in tubs besides it being space economical.

[Chase13]

Easier to control temps, and by far easier to control humidity IMO. Plus its easier to clean