Question about new tub set up

[Christine]

I decided to use a tub for the first time for my new baby boa. I bought a rubbermaid tub. I have a heat pad with a thermostat set on 90. The accurite is reading 87 on the hot side and 78 on the cool side the humidity is 64%. The thing I am wondering about is the smell. I noticed that when I open the lid the plastic smell is pretty noticable is this normal. I have my ball in a neodesha and I dont get a smell like this with that cage.. There is also two plastic hides from reptile basic and a plastic water dish. Like I said this is the first time for me using a tub and just want to make sure this is a normal occurrence .
I have checked the heat pad and there is not melting or anything like that going on
Thanks
Christine

[iCandiBallPythons]

It wears off

[jason221]

Just out of curiosity, what temperature is the room the tub is in? Can I see a picture of the tub? I may be getting a boa next weekend and want to see others' setups.

[Vypyrz]

Here is my baby boa set-up. I keep the thermostat set-at 92F and the room temp around 78-80F, since they like to perch on top of the hides or on the little branch. It is a 32qt tub...

[Christine]

The picture of Vypyrz set up is the same way mine is set up I need to get some pics. I also have to keep the thermostat set at 92. It keeps the cooler side of the tub at a steady 78.The only thing I have different is that I use paper towels. When I used the aspen my humidity was going almost to 90%. As soon as I took it out it went to 74%

[Vypyrz]

The picture of Vypyrz set up is the same way mine is set up I need to get some pics. I also have to keep the thermostat set at 92. It keeps the cooler side of the tub at a steady 78.The only thing I have different is that I use paper towels. When I used the aspen my humidity was going almost to 90%. As soon as I took it out it went to 74%

I use oscillating fans for air circulation to help keep my humidity stable in the tubs. I basically have them on low speed and setting about 5-6 feet from the tubs.

[Nimitz87]

very nice thread on the tubs...how long can/do you keep the boas in the 32 qt tub? and can I start a baby ( month old) in one right away?

I'm looking at doing the tub and then when old enough to get a boaphile or proline setup

oh another question how do you guys get those very neat air holes in the tub?

Thanks

Chad

[Vypyrz]

very nice thread on the tubs...how long can/do you keep the boas in the 32 qt tub? and can I start a baby ( month old) in one right away?

I'm looking at doing the tub and then when old enough to get a boaphile or proline setup

oh another question how do you guys get those very neat air holes in the tub?

Thanks

Chad

Yes you can set them up in a 32 qt now. Boas don't usually get stressed about open space like BP's do. Just make sure you have 2 hides for them to use if they want to. Young boas are good climbers and like to perch, so I give them a piece of wood . Don't be suprised if you see them hanging out on their branch or on top of the hide during the day. Sometimes that is where they sleep.

When I mark the holes for my tubs, I take a ruler and slide it up under the lip to hold it steady and then I put a mark every 2 inches (just my preference), so I put a mark at 0,2,4,6,etc.. Then I slide the ruler down and line the top edge of it with the marks I just made, then I put marks on the odd numbers 1,3,5,7,etc... That is how I get that off-set look.



To make the holes, I use a soldering iron. They cost about $12 and you can get them at Lowes, Wal-Mart, most Hardware stores, and auto parts stores.



There are other ways to make the holes. Alot of people drill them. I have also heard of people heating up things like ice picks or thin Phillips screwdrivers with a candle to melt the holes...

[Vypyrz]

very nice thread on the tubs...how long can/do you keep the boas in the 32 qt tub?

There are basically two different recommendations on when to upgrade the size of the enclosure. The first is the length + width method. This means that when the length of the snake equals the length + width of the enclosure then its time. A 32qt tub measures about 24"L X 13"W, so if you use that method, you wouldn't need to upgrade until you boa reaches 37 inches.

The other method that some people will recommend is 1 square foot of floor space per 1 foot of snake length. The 32qt tub has just over 2 square feet of floor space in it so if you follow that one you would upgrade when your snake reaches about 26 inches.

Personally, I just use whatever number is somewhere in the middle. My Costa Rican is about 29-30 inches, so I will be moving him into a bigger tub this week...