Tanks vs tubs?

[distaff]

My favorite look for a reptile room is black Boaphiles, or black stacks of AP cages.
Sort of mimicked that by covering three sides and most of the screen tops with foam and black posterboard. The lighted and planted vivs look dramatic that way. I use a length of black fabric as a skirt to hide the 2X4 wood stands they rest on.

My biggest issue with tanks is that you run out of available space quickly.

I'm determined to get a boa in the nest few months, but WHERE THE HECK AM I GOING TO PUT HIM?

[Zincubus]

My favorite look for a reptile room is black Boaphiles, or black stacks of AP cages.
Sort of mimicked that by covering three sides and most of the screen tops with foam and black posterboard. The lighted and planted vivs look dramatic that way. I use a length of black fabric as a skirt to hide the 2X4 wood stands they rest on.

My biggest issue with tanks is that you run out of available space quickly.

I'm determined to get a boa in the nest few months, but WHERE THE HECK AM I GOING TO PUT HIM?

A nice Dwarf Boa ?


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[distaff]

A nice Dwarf Boa ?


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Definitely a dwarf.
I'm not ready for a fifty pound snake, and doubt if I ever will be.

[Coluber42]

Tanks versus tubs is not necessarily the best way to frame this. The enclosure itself is just a box; what matters is what you put in the box and how you set it up.
The basic care sheet requirements of hot side, cold side, and humidity can be achieved in any of these, and it’s really not rocket science. The next requirement is hides and cover, which can also be achieved in all of these.

My biggest complaint with the tank-vs-tub debate is that it centers on things like temperature and humidity which you can totally dial in with a modicum of up front effort in any of these kinds of boxes. And once it’s dialed in (needing to mist three times a day does not count as “dialed in” IMHO; even in a tank with a screen top there are easy ways to raise the humidity that don’t require nearly that level of daily effort) you don’t have to do much on a daily basis to maintain it. Getting the temperatures and humidity right in a glass tank, and also providing enough hides and cover, is really not that difficult.

I do think that ball pythons in general should have more space than they get in the commonly-used and recommended tubs that fit into common racks. That does not mean EMPTY space, or a 55 gallon tank with one hide, a water bowl, a screen top, and a lamp. The reason they should have more space is that they should have a choice of hides, microclimates, light levels, etc. They will often choose to hang out in a different spot at night than during the day, for example; so they should have more than one spot to choose from. They should have enough head room to at the VERY least lift their head as far off the ground as they are able to without the aid of a wall or other support.

Most tubs in racks do not offer the space for them to do those things. But that isn’t because it’s a tub, that’s because it’s a small tub. You can get a bigger tub and then there’s room.

THat’s not to say that different materials don’t have their pros and cons; glass doesn’t retain heat as well, but it won’t warp or melt from heat sources. Plastic retains heat better, but it’s harder to use higher-wattage heat sources with.

It’s probably a bit more work to modify a plastic tub lid to safely work with a lamp or CHE than it does to cover the screen top of a tank with foil to retain humidity. It’s probably about an equivalent amount of work to use a RHP with a plastic tub lid or with a screen top. But again, none of these things is rocket science.

[dr del]

Back when I first started, I lost a tiny King hatchling that escaped out of a shoe box tub. I've tried them again on occasion with other animals, but personally, I just never trust the flexibility of plastic tubs. They obviously work better with a rack ceiling, but if you are just using the tub and it's latching top, there aren't a lot of good ways to conveniently secure that top - at least to my satisfaction.

I worry less with a glass tank. Glass tanks come as small as 5-gal, which completely covered and insulated, is working well for my BP hatchling. He has eaten twice for me, no problems.

I found the smallest bra-plast tub option to be the hardest to secure - you either need a shelf VERY close to the top of the tub lid or an extra measure to secure them. They were just too flexible to do it any other way.

Using similar size tupperware however had much better lids and less flexible sides which worked fine.

[Mr. Misha]

I guess I never understood tanks vs tubs because PVC enclosures seem to be in a league of their own.

I love my Animal Plastic terrariums but understand that they're not for everyone since they're take a large amount of space and can be pricey. However, I feel like they're an amzing option if you don't have a lot of BPs. Never had an issue with heating or humidity with them. They also look amazing!

[Zincubus]

I guess I never understood tanks vs tubs because PVC enclosures seem to be in a league of their own.

I love my Animal Plastic terrariums but understand that they're not for everyone since they're take a large amount of space and can be pricey. However, I feel like they're an amzing option if you don't have a lot of BPs. Never had an issue with heating or humidity with them. They also look amazing!

They look amazing !!

So what's in each one ??


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[Mr. Misha]

They look amazing !!

So what's in each one ??


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Thanks so much! I have the T12 and T10 split and the T8 is for my 5th.

[Zincubus]

Thanks so much! I have the T12 and T10 split and the T8 is for my 5th.

What type/s of snakes ??


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[distaff]

Beautiful set-up with the AP's!

I am always looking for ways to make our reptile room/music room/craft room/study look more beautiful.
Last year, thinking it would be an improvement, I moved all the snakes into the storage/bird/rat room. I didn't like it. The birds enjoy the West facing window in there, they are safe from the dogs (flighted, cage doors always open), but the space has a basement feel, and just didn't work well for animals I want showcased (even if some snakes are always hiding).
The big heavy vivs were drug back out to the study after several months. I interact with the snakes much more often in this main room. Very crowded in here, but I keep it looking nice.