Tubs

[zackw419]

I'm looking into switching to tubs, I get the vibe my girl might really like one a lot more than her tank (privacy issue). She is 4 years old about 33 inches long and thick. I am not sure of her exact weight.

few questions about tubs:

What size tub would be best for her size and age (what dimensions should it be)?


does plastic heat up faster than glass? should i bump my heating pad a size down? (its a zilla pad designed for 30-40 gal tanks)

Where are some places i can get tubs that work well for bps? ( I would really prefer going to a local store rather than ordering one online)

Are there another do's don'ts that I should or shouldn't do with the tub that I would do with an aquarium?

Is there a preferred substrate for a tub?

thanks in advance

[snakedork]

A tub will typically have less height and less ventalation than a tank so actually you should not have to use as big of a heat mat due to it holding the temp. I would suggest a cb70 tub it does seem to be the standard for large breeders to house there snakes and it being 3 feet long should create a good gradiant. I personallly use 41 qt sterilites but hopefully some time this year i will be switching from my homemade rack to a ars or freedom breeder to save some room in my house. You can get a cb70 tub at bed bath and beyond its for underbed storage. If you want to order one check out reptile tubs.com. Your humidity will also go up in a tub so you might have to work with additional ventalation to allow the humidity to be correct.

[zackw419]

A tub will typically have less height and less ventalation than a tank so actually you should not have to use as big of a heat mat due to it holding the temp. I would suggest a cb70 tub it does seem to be the standard for large breeders to house there snakes and it being 3 feet long should create a good gradiant. I personallly use 41 qt sterilites but hopefully some time this year i will be switching from my homemade rack to a ars or freedom breeder to save some room in my house. You can get a cb70 tub at bed bath and beyond its for underbed storage. If you want to order one check out reptile tubs.com. Your humidity will also go up in a tub so you might have to work with additional ventalation to allow the humidity to be correct.

how would i help ventilate? you mean by poking holes in the top?

[rabernet]

If your current heat pad is currently stuck on the bottom of your tank with adhesive, don't use it on your tub. Removing it from the glass may actually damage the heat elements inside and create hot spots.

Heating pads should be controlled by either a thermostat or a rheostat or dimmer, so that they do not overheat.

I use a 41 quart Sterilite tub from Walmart (about $8) with a locking lid. Get a solder wand and solder out ventilation holes (start with a few and add more if your humidity is too high).

I solder holes about an inch apart across the top rim of the tub and some in the lid.

You can make one nice hide for such a big girl with a kitty litter pan (small Van Ness also from Walmart). Solder out a doorway in the kitty litter pan with it upside down. Get a large crock from Walmart too for a water dish.

I place the water dish on the cool end and the hide next to it, so that the snake can thermoregulate inside the hide like this:




She's in the cool side of this hide:





I've used aspen and I currently use un-printed newsprint now for my substrate.

While you're at Walmart, pick up this digital thermometer/hygrometer in the hardware department with the indoor/outdoor thermometers (about $12)



I attach it to the inside of the tub with velcro - otherwise, the snake will always be turning it over. Run the probe to the inside of the warm side of the tub.

Good luck!

[zackw419]

thanks so much!

as far as resticking the heat pad...would it be safe if i put something thing between the heat pad and the tub bottom? It feels like a waste not to use the pads i already have.

[rabernet]

thanks so much!

as far as resticking the heat pad...would it be safe if i put something thing between the heat pad and the tub bottom? It feels like a waste not to use the pads i already have.

It's just not worth the risk to me. The price of a new heat pad vs. the price of a vet visit to treat a burn seems worth it to me to go ahead and invest in a new one. I'm sure she's worth it!

[zackw419]

It's just not worth the risk to me. The price of a new heat pad vs. the price of a vet visit to treat a burn seems worth it to me to go ahead and invest in a new one. I'm sure she's worth it!

yeah, you're right.

ps 1 more q

so should get 1 hide big enough to fit the hot and cool side? I thought they preferred tight fitting hides?

[Kaorte]

I personally use one tight fitting hide on the warm side. It works well for me.

[Vacado]

You could order flexwatt for your tub. It's only a couple bucks and I trust it a lot more than UTHs (I had one go haywire once). you would just need one foot of the 11" wide stuff, plus one of the cords.

My setup for my 1270 g girl looks almost just like Rabernet's! I use the same tub, same therm/hygro, but I have a massive crock that was given to me. As you can tell by the dirt in it, cypress can be dusty. I have since switched to aspen, and she also has two hides (black plastic from RBI and a cereal box), one on the flexwatt and one off.



I'm not sure if this tub will be big enough for her when she's an adult? I will at least have to get a smaller water crock, that's for sure, but for the meantime I LOVE this one that she can't flip!

v

[rabernet]

Mine haven't been able to flip the crock from Walmart so far (knock wood).

As for the answer on the hide and if it's snug enough. The key in this instance is that it's DARK inside, and they feel secure in it. Whichever end they are curled up in, they are feeling touching them on the top and three sides. All my adult females in this tub are set up this way, and all come flying out of those hides on feeding day! LOL