I use tubs, but they are in a heated room.
I use an ultratherm (from reptilebasics) under one end hooked to a t-stat. If I need to up the ambient temp, I have a lamp on a lamp stand that is adjustable (the stand and the lamp is on a dimmer). I drill holes in the tub on all 4 sides near the top (not many like 5-6 on the long sides and 3 on the short ends) to help move air around.
I DO advise using bulldog clips (binder clips... the giant ones that are 2" long and hold up to 1" thick) on the long sides of the tubs to keep them down.. boas are good at pushing them up otherwise.
I have 3 tubs on hand and used to use them (and glass tanks) exclusively. When I upgraded to a rack, I moved everyone out of the tubs except for my large boa that is in a very large tub. I keep the rest of the tubs around for quarantine setups.
When I was in my old apartment and using a non-heatd room, I would still use the heat lamp over the warm end of the tubs with the uth on the warm side also.. But I would drape a towel over the tub to help hold in heat. This system seemed to work pretty well.
I much prefer tubs to glass tanks... For me, they are so much easier to clean and swap out as needed. I am a small person, so lifting a big glass tank to move it or clean wouldn't work. I plan on buying pvc cages for all of my larger snakes (boas, jag. carpet) when they are large enough, but will keep the BPs, sandboas, and hognose in their racks.
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