Sideways Tub Rack

[hops523]

Hey everyone, so a little over a week ago I got my first ball python in quite sometime. He's a 165 gram Pastel YB, and he's set up in a 28 qt tub with newspaper bundled, two hides, etc. The 28 qt tub is a part of a 6 drawer melamine rack where the tubs fit in sideways. I have belly heat running in the back, and everything seems to be working fine. What I'm worried about is when this male, and future BPs get to be around the 500 gram range, how will this sideways rack work for me? Eventually I will be building a normal rack to fit 41 qt tubs, would it be a good idea to add a couple shelves that will fit 28 qts?
Thank you

[Wes]

The Sideways tubs work fine for me. I keep my Females in them til about 1500 grams, then they get moved to my 41qt rack. Been keeping them this way for around a year now with no problems.

Also, my males will be moved to these once they hit about 500 grams and will stay in them their entire lives unless they are unusually large males.

[MasonC2K]

I have 2 side racks and they works fine.

[Slim]

Personally, I'm not a fan of side ways tub set ups where the heat runs down one of the long sides. It gives your snake less options for getting close to or away from the heat source when trying to thermoregulate.

Your milage may vary...

[hops523]

Thanks for the replies. Are you able to fit hides when your Bps are larger?

Slim, I am also thinking of running the tape down one of the short sides, and see how that works.

[Mike41793]

Thanks for the replies. Are you able to fit hides when your Bps are larger?

Slim, I am also thinking of running the tape down one of the short sides, and see how that works.

I think that would work as long as its providing heat to roughly 25% of the bottom of the tub

[snakesRkewl]

I have a 41qt sideways rack I use for breeding in and love it.
The 11X12 flexwatt heats one end and the females have a really nice cool end to go to when they want to cool themselves for breeding.

A 28qt sideways rack with back heat would work fine for males forever just make sure it's not so hot that they NEED to cool off. I'd keep the hot spot in the back no higher than 88-89 degrees depending partly on the rooms ambient temp.

I don't let most of my younger snakes have hides unless they prove to be picky eaters.
None of my large snakes have hides.

[hops523]

Thats very interesting, for some reason I just thought it wouldn't work. I will keep the rack the way it is and keep the hot side at 88-89. Ill have to think about what Ill do for future racks, but Im sure Ill be building a few

Would you still not use hides if a younger snake is in a 28 qt? I have newspaper bundled up throughout the tub, but Ive never a tub setup with no hides.

[snakesRkewl]

Would you still not use hides if a younger snake is in a 28 qt? I have newspaper bundled up throughout the tub, but Ive never a tub setup with no hides.

If they eat well they don't get a hide, if they start missing meals they get one until we feel they are over the shy eating issues then they lose the hide.
None our adults have hides and they are awesome eaters.

[hops523]

Cool, thanks for the help! Ill definitely try this after he eats a few meals.