The facination with Tubs???

[Argentra]

Ah cool. Thanks, BlueApplePaste. Much appreciated. I was thinking of going with 3/4 exterior ply as recommended by the head set tech of my theatre department. Those plans will help a lot.

Once I have a 4 cage setup for the corns, I can just stick with tanks for the BPs until they're bigger. Already have one 4x2 display cage for the female, might build a 3x2 for the male once he needs it.

[jonf]

My wife asks the same question everytime we go to Target or Walmart. I always have to make a stop on the rubbermaid/sterilite aisle to see whats new or discontinued.............

I can't get enough of them for some reason. I think if you are not making a display cage, then these are the hands down best option for housing small to medium snakes.

[ctrlfreq]

Alright, I must know. Why is everyone so thrilled with tubs??

Number one reason is ease of cleaning. It's a plastic tub, so you pull it out, dump it in a bag, spray with chlorhexadine, wipe out, refill. Having extras on-hand also makes the whole process easier, since you only need to move each animal once.

Beyond that, they are cheap and easy to acquire, and just as important, lines of readily available consumer models meet the standard floor-space requirements through each life-cycle stage (hatchling @ 6q, juvenile @ 27q, adult @41q), which saves the small animals stress associated with living in a large enclosure because it's owner was planning ahead for when it eventually becomes a 2500g adult.

[Subzero]

You cant bash on tubs, when your looking for a display cage... I dont want 30 fish tanks/display cages in my house Id be cleaning full time.

[Argentra]

Oh believe me, I'm not bashing just to bash. I have used tubs, and in fact have two in use right now for corn QT, and I just don't see the appeal. To me, tanks work better and display cages are nicer and (usually) lighter than tanks, so that's what I'm looking to use.

[771subliminal]

ive wondered about this too. when it comes to breeding or housing alot of snakes i can understand all the way. but i see alot when someone as about just one snake everyone wants to tell them to stay far away from tanks and only use tubs.

so why tubs with if just one snake and have plenty of space in your home?

[Argentra]

I completely agree. When keeping more than 5 snakes, it's practical space wise to have racks with tubs. But when you only have 1-3, those tubs just sit alone without the insulation of the rack and surrounding tubs and, IMO, look ugly.

Also, and PLEASE don't be mad at me for this it's just what I see, unless you are a big time breeder getting a good income from your collection, these animals are companions. And, since most people wish to view their companion (even if it's only for an hour late at night) without pulling out a drawer-like tub, they set up tanks or display cages.
True, tanks require a bit more effort to get going and stay where they should... but they do work! It just takes patience and a bit of innovation. And, in the end, that effort is worth it when you have a happy snake in an attractive environment.

[Entropy]

I started using tubs waaaaay back when I just had two snakes. They fed better, they shed better, the temps were much easier to keep stable, they were easier to clean and no problems at all with them.

[frankykeno]

Also, and PLEASE don't be mad at me for this it's just what I see, unless you are a big time breeder getting a good income from your collection, these animals are companions. And, since most people wish to view their companion (even if it's only for an hour late at night) without pulling out a drawer-like tub, they set up tanks or display cages.
True, tanks require a bit more effort to get going and stay where they should... but they do work! It just takes patience and a bit of innovation. And, in the end, that effort is worth it when you have a happy snake in an attractive environment.

Nobody's going to be "mad" at you. Like with feeding, everyone has their own ways and that should be respected.

Where the problem comes in I think is the challenge that tanks can present. For a new keeper, that may have gotten the snake on an impulse or been given poor pet store advice (or gawd help a not really healthy well started snake), the additional challenge of trying to get a big glass enclosure dialled in can be a real headache.

We all need to remember that while we are fiddling away with the enclosure, the snake is stuck in there having to deal with less than ideal conditions. I think there can be a compromise if you want to use a more display type glass enclosure (remembering BP's make pretty poor display animals). If you haven't planned ahead and got that tank tweaked and set up properly before you even got the snake, then perhaps put the snake into a tub for now. It's not expensive, it's faster to get stable, etc. Then spend the time messing about with the glass tank until you've learned all the tricks to deal with it. For me that makes sense.

[Gloryhound]

I think building or buying a display rack like this is the best way to go rather than a glass tank.



It gives the view you want, but is also easier to control temps and humidity. To keep it simple to clean put a piece of vinyl in the bottom and then a sheets of news print for substrate. Change paper as needed clean and disinfect vinyl and rest of the inside of the enclosure once a month.