Need tub help fast!

[Mikekrause2000]

Okay i need help quick. Long story short, my BP Mitch needs a better home then his 20gal glass tank i guess. So im going to buy a tub. I have questions though. What size tub? What size hides, and how the hell do i heat it?

[PghBall]

Depends on the size of the snake, juvie = 15 QT tub with latchable lid, adult 32-40 QT tub with latchable lid. Hide can be made out of a cheap plastic bowl or bought online (lllreptiles). Size would depend on the size of the snake. You can heat with a heat pad connected to a thermostat. Here is the tub that I used in my homemade rack

http://www.target.com/Sterilite-32-q...n&frombrowse=0

[EverEvolvingExotics]

It depends what size your BP is. Usually 500g or less 15qt 1000g or less 32qt 1500g+ 42qt. A lot of people get the proper temperature gradient from using heat tape and a thermostat to dial in the proper temperatures. Just type in heat tape on google reptilebasics.com sells it. You absolutely NEED a thermostat or a rheostat or else the heat tape or any heating device will most likely get too hot and burn your snake. I like the tubs that have the locking latches on the side then i either use adjustable straps or adjustable bungee cords to secure the middle with single tubs to prevent escapes. For ventilation start with less that more. You can always add more holes if you tub is too humid. The easiest way is to use a soldering iron to melt holes in the sides ($8 at walmart). There are plenty of DIY single tub directions out there on this forum or do a search on google. Good luck, tubs make life much easier. The most expensive thing WILL be the thermostat but trust me its worth it. If you don't want to spend a ton on a thermostat but you don't want to go as cheap a rheostat check out the ZooMed 500R. Some people hate it but i have used it for years with great results and its around $30.

[kitedemon]

I agree that especially with a plastic tub you must have a thermostat! I have a 500r that basically sucks it heats the floor of the tub to 120º shuts off until it drops to 86 than back up it goes. A rheostat works fine as long as you have a constant room temperature if you have variations in room temp I'd really recommend a proportional thermostat. Like a helix, herpstat, ect. They are simple and just work. Good Luck.

[Nimitz87]

It depends what size your BP is. Usually 500g or less 15qt 1000g or less 32qt 1500g+ 42qt. A lot of people get the proper temperature gradient from using heat tape and a thermostat to dial in the proper temperatures. Just type in heat tape on google reptilebasics.com sells it. You absolutely NEED a thermostat or a rheostat or else the heat tape or any heating device will most likely get too hot and burn your snake. I like the tubs that have the locking latches on the side then i either use adjustable straps or adjustable bungee cords to secure the middle with single tubs to prevent escapes. For ventilation start with less that more. You can always add more holes if you tub is too humid. The easiest way is to use a soldering iron to melt holes in the sides ($8 at walmart). There are plenty of DIY single tub directions out there on this forum or do a search on google. Good luck, tubs make life much easier. The most expensive thing WILL be the thermostat but trust me its worth it. If you don't want to spend a ton on a thermostat but you don't want to go as cheap a rheostat check out the ZooMed 500R. Some people hate it but i have used it for years with great results and its around $30.

check out these for around $30 bucks heard great things, I just ordered one.

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...5106504&sr=8-6

Chad

[Mikekrause2000]

Okay. I think i did everything okay... Here are the steps i did.

1) Install the thermometer probes onto the sides of the tank.
http://img195.imageshack.us/i/imag0083g.jpg/
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/7686/imag0084j.jpg

2) Cut 2 small bowls into hides.
http://img440.imageshack.us/i/imag0085d.jpg/

3) Put some reptile wood chips in the bin and stirred in some water to make it moist. Also put in a climbing stick.
http://img291.imageshack.us/i/imag0086g.jpg/

4) Put in the water dish, a cheepo humidity gauge and Mitch. I also have an UTH placed under the side with the stick, under the hide.
http://img295.imageshack.us/i/imag0087f.jpg/

Things im GOING to do (hopefully tomorrow)

1) Order one of those heater turn on/off things.
2) Try to find/understand heat tape.
3) get a better humidity gauge
4) get black paper for the left/back side of the tank.

If anyone has any suggestions for me, or want to yell at me for anything wrong, please do so, i want to fix it. Also if anyone that is a plethora of snake knowledge could give me an AIM screen name or something, that would be awesome.

[j_h_smith]

Okay i need help quick. Long story short, my BP Mitch needs a better home then his 20gal glass tank i guess. So im going to buy a tub. I have questions though. What size tub? What size hides, and how the hell do i heat it?

What makes you think your snake NEEDS A BETTER HOME?

A 20 long is a great home for your snake. Easy to heat, just about the perfect size, easy to clean and your snake is visable. Without a rack, your snake has a better chance of escaping from a tub than a glass tank with a proper lid.

I just don't know why you think the 20 gal glass tank isn't good enough.

Jim Smith

[Mikekrause2000]

What makes you think your snake NEEDS A BETTER HOME?

A 20 long is a great home for your snake. Easy to heat, just about the perfect size, easy to clean and your snake is visable. Without a rack, your snake has a better chance of escaping from a tub than a glass tank with a proper lid.

I just don't know why you think the 20 gal glass tank isn't good enough.

Jim Smith

Because im having problems maintaining heat/humidity in the glass tank.

[j_h_smith]

Because im having problems maintaining heat/humidity in the glass tank.

With the proper sized UTH, a thermostat and a something to cover the top of the aquarium, there shouldn't be a problem using an aquarium. There are thousands upon thousands of ball pythons living in aquariums without any issues.

A tub isn't all that great to keep a snake without it being in some type of rack. Ball Pythons are strong enough to lift the cover from a tub and leave you looking everywhere for it.

Just one man's opinion,
Jim Smith

[Egapal]

Take the tape out. You should never use tape in your enclosure. The image of your tub shows that the hygrometer is taped on. Your snake can get stuck to that tape and then tear its scales off trying to get free. Search this forum and you will see a few injuries caused by tape. I would not keep a BP in a tub unless I had something to keep the top securely down. BP are stronger than you think.