want to set up a tub

[DSGB]

i have a small bp/ not sure of age or weight. i have it in a glass cage right now but im having trouble keeping my temps straight. what size tub should i get. should i get one that it could live in its whole life? also would like t see set ups of a single tub.

[JLC]

The most expensive piece of a tub setup is the thermostat used to control the heat. Everything else is pennies, by comparison. And the t-stat can be attached to any new tub you buy. So why not spend $5 on a comfy little 15qt tub for a baby that he will feel safe and secure in....and later on down the road, spring for a new tub when he needs something bigger?

[DSGB]

yeah i just read another thread. so im thinking about doing 3 small tubs and three big ones. so i can get 2 more babies and have a place for em all for when they grow up. i have a cheap book shelf i think i could use.

? about the flexwatt stuff an t-stat. where do i get them? i have a uth on my glass tank. would this not work for a tub?

and ? about the tubs themselves... obviously they need holes drilled in for ventilation but how many, what size holes. and the tops of the tubs. can they just be snug on the top with the bottom of a rack on the book shelf?

[Kagez28]

Rich at reptilebasics.com can hook you up with some flex and a t-stat.

that UTH on the tank is going to be a Pain in and behind to get off. you can give it a try but if it bends to much you can break the heating elements then it's garbage. flexwatt is cheaper and in my opinion way better then those zoo med ones.

and for holes in the tub... most people use a soldering iron which can be found at walmart or home depot. you have to work it out yourself how many holes. just melt some and let the humidity settle, then if more is needed keep at it untill you get the right humidity. remember you can always add more holes and if there are too many you can just cover them with some electrical tape.

if your tubs will fit tightly on a book shelf go for it. but if not you'll have to use the lids.

hope this helps

[JLC]

yeah i just read another thread. so im thinking about doing 3 small tubs and three big ones. so i can get 2 more babies and have a place for em all for when they grow up. i have a cheap book shelf i think i could use.

? about the flexwatt stuff an t-stat. where do i get them? i have a uth on my glass tank. would this not work for a tub?

and ? about the tubs themselves... obviously they need holes drilled in for ventilation but how many, what size holes. and the tops of the tubs. can they just be snug on the top with the bottom of a rack on the book shelf?

You can use a UTH on a tub, but you still need a t-stat to control it. If you're going to put three small tubs on one shelf...you can lay down a single strip of flexwatt along the shelf, then slide the tubs in that that one end is over the flexwatt.....make sense? (Not sure if your shelf/tubs will accomodate that sort of setup, but it's worth a little creative thinking to figure out)

You can get flexwatt and t-stats both from reptilebasics.com.

The size and number of holes depends entirely on your own situation. Most folks have to play with 'em a bit to get the right balance of air flow and humidity control. Melting them in with a standard soldering iron gives you a perfect sized hole.

And lastly, if the tubs fit snugly on the shelf with no more than a 1/8" gap, then they don't need a lid. Just make sure the snake can't wedge his face into the gap and push the tub to increase the gap size.

[DSGB]

thanks. what about minimum to maximum that you would use for a little guy.

[Kagez28]

min to max what? tub size? i go 6 qt for hatchlings up to 250g then 15 qt for juvies till they look like they need some more room. then they get there own 32 qt tub. i do have 41 qt in case my females decide to be on the large side.

[DSGB]

yeah thanks.