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rubbermaid housing

T

tstrenuous10

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i was just wondering if these are good as a permenant home for a pet snake. i know a lot of people use racks for breeding but im wondering about keeping a ball python in one as a home for it.



does anyone have plans or pictures or both of how to do this?
 
tstrenuous10 said:
i was just wondering if these are good as a permenant home for a pet snake. i know a lot of people use racks for breeding but im wondering about keeping a ball python in one as a home for it.



does anyone have plans or pictures or both of how to do this?
Click to expand...

For racks we use the rubbermaid and sterilite tubs, so they should work for homes for bps. I know I have seen people use them. I think they use something to make sure the snakes can't push the lids off, like straps or bungee cords. You would have to heat it with heat tape also. I think Matt at MGreptiles sells tubs already setup also.
 
I will have to look into that. I might rather build it just so i know how the heat tape works but then again might be worth it just to HAVE it instead of trying to figure out what works where.

question on substrate, how often do you change the newspaper substrate?


still looking for more info on the sterilite houses though.
 
tstrenuous10 said:
question on substrate, how often do you change the newspaper substrate?


still looking for more info on the sterilite houses though.
Click to expand...

Well I change my newspaper whenever gets soiled either from urates or defecation. Sometimes I change it when they get it all balled up and folded, just because it drives me crazy. So I usually end up changing it at least once if not twice a week.

What info are you looking for on the sterilites?
 
from looking at it it doesn't look that hard. all you need is flexwatt tape and a power cord. is it THAT simple?
 
No, not quite. Flexwatt itself can run well over 100 degrees, you will need a thermostat to control it. You need to make sure to have holes for ventilation and once it is setup make sure you have a good heat gradient.
 
im assuming the vet holes are going to be too small for the snake to fit through. forgot to mention the thermostat to regulate the temperature. i assume the heat gradient is the 80/90 cool/hot everyone differs on. are there certian containers that work better for a heat gradient then others (thickness play a role?)?

this seems too simple to assemble. is it really this easy?
heat tape
container
thermostat
hides and substrate
gradient
snake
 
tstrenuous10 said:
im assuming the vet holes are going to be too small for the snake to fit through. forgot to mention the thermostat to regulate the temperature. i assume the heat gradient is the 80/90 cool/hot everyone differs on. are there certian containers that work better for a heat gradient then others (thickness play a role?)?

this seems too simple to assemble. is it really this easy?
heat tape
container
thermostat
hides and substrate
gradient
snake
Click to expand...

Yup, really that easy! I have both tub set ups and one rack. For the tubs I use the Sterilite 1986 model from WalMart (about $8), 1 foot of 11" flexwatt, thermostat, water bowl, hides, aspen and snake! They all thrive and a few won't eat during shed - some will, but all never miss a meal otherwise and have perfect sheds.

I just moved my original ball python that was in a glass viv into his very own tub last weekend - as he's been my only fasting ball of my current eight. I'm hoping that he'll do better in this environment.
 
questions on the flexwatt tape
1. anywhere to buy it EXCEPT online?
2. is that just to make the warm spot for the snake?
3. anyone have some pictures they can post?
4. what about lighting? i know the snake is nocturnal but i just can't put him in the tank and leave him in the closet and keeping a tupperware container where i have his glass tank now would look REALLY TACKY.
 
tstrenuous10 said:
questions on the flexwatt tape
1. anywhere to buy it EXCEPT online?
2. is that just to make the warm spot for the snake?
3. anyone have some pictures they can post?
4. what about lighting? i know the snake is nocturnal but i just can't put him in the tank and leave him in the closet and keeping a tupperware container where i have his glass tank now would look REALLY TACKY.
Click to expand...

1. you can buy more expensive versions at a pet store but the flexwatt is better and cheaper to buy online.

2. Yes it is to give your snake a 90-92 degree "hot spot"

3. sorry, I dont right now

4. You will still want to have daylight wherever you keep the tub, closet is not a good idea. It is really personal prefernece as to the looks.
 
is the light that can penetrate the tub enough or should i take the lid off and let him get direct sunlight?

what about the holes mentioned earlier, where should i put them, what are they for (air?) and how many should i put?
 
hi. i started off having a plastic tub when i first brought my bp home as a temporary while i built the 'real one'. i am still building it and will use the tub as the feeder cage later...but he really loves it in the mean time. i got it from ikea for 8.99 and its about 15"x12"x12"h. he loves it bc it is translucent not transparent, and so he feels safe. he doesnt even use his hides! i heat it with a UTH on a thermostat, and then also use a ceramic heater on one side as a 'hot wall', so-to-speak.
i also use newsprint and check it daily for feces/urates. only had to clean it once last saturday. i also took a few sheets of the newspaper and crumpled them up and threw them in there so he is sort-of surrounded and can slide through them. i hear him at night for hours. good luck...
 
as far as the vent holes go i would put some near the bottom on the warm side and near the top on the cool side . they only need to be maybe a quarter of an inch in diameter if that with about 4 to 6 at each end . they are for air curculation and setting them up this way will allow the air to enter on the warm side and exit on the cool side which helps maintain a good ambient air temp through out the tank . ball pythons dont need direct sunlight , just a daily photo period(light and dark like a normal day) . you can pretty much get away with using a standard bulb for lighting , but a uv-b bulb imho seems to bring out a critters colors better . generally a 12 hour on 12 hour off cycle works well . you can buy a timer to do this for you so you dont have to worry about forgetting to turn it on or off .
 
ok now im serious about building one of these

how do i light the thing without keeping the lid off?
where is the best place to get the flex watt tape and what all do i need? anyone make an all-in-one kit?
is 40G 40G or is it better to get a shorter tub rather than a taller one?

thanks for the tips on the holes. that helps out a lot. i figure ill start with 3 or 4 since i can always add more.
 
tstrenuous10 said:
ok now im serious about building one of these

how do i light the thing without keeping the lid off?
where is the best place to get the flex watt tape and what all do i need? anyone make an all-in-one kit?
is 40G 40G or is it better to get a shorter tub rather than a taller one?

thanks for the tips on the holes. that helps out a lot. i figure ill start with 3 or 4 since i can always add more.
Click to expand...

You don't need a light in your tub, as long as you get a clear to semi clear tub and it is in a room with natural daylight (window).

Shorter tubs are best for getting a good heat gradient, tall tubs the heat rises to the top.

There a a few places to order kits, but here is a link to where I buy my stuff.
You can also buy the tubs and just get supplies from here. They also have "how to" on the flexwatt. http://www.mgreptiles.com/index.html
 
Flexwatt

Don't forget to put a dimmer switch in the power cord. Flexwatt can get over 110 degrees. Also put Flexwatt on one end of the tub only. That way your pet can control there own body temp.
 
I would even be afraid of a dimmer on the flexwatt. A thermostat is always the best route.

Here are a few of our home made racks.

Hatchling size, 6" x 10"
Juvis bin size, 8" x 16"
Young adults, 16" x 24"
Breeder girls, 16" x 34"

Hatchling
attachment.php


Juvi
attachment.php


male/small female rack
attachment.php


Adult female rack
attachment.php
 
NEW I'm doing this for just one snake. I don't want a rack setup. Just one tub. I think a dimmer would work the same as a thermostat but the dimmer could get bumped without being noticed and crank the heat up, although if it's behind a dresser that wouldn't be a problem.

Thanks Bill, I figured a clear(ish) tub would allow enough light for the snake and get the right amount for him. I was also thinking the same on the smaller tub size. I looked at the mg site a short time ago and that is probably where i will get my stuff unless someone shows me another site. i like their how-to
 
tstrenuous10 said:
NEW I'm doing this for just one snake. I don't want a rack setup. Just one tub. I think a dimmer would work the same as a thermostat but the dimmer could get bumped without being noticed and crank the heat up, although if it's behind a dresser that wouldn't be a problem.

Thanks Bill, I figured a clear(ish) tub would allow enough light for the snake and get the right amount for him. I was also thinking the same on the smaller tub size. I looked at the mg site a short time ago and that is probably where i will get my stuff unless someone shows me another site. i like their how-to
Click to expand...

Dimmers work alright, but you have to constantly monitor and adjust your temperatures. If your house warms up 5 degress during the day your tub will go up the same amount at least. So dimmers can be a pain in the butt. LOL.
 
Bill & Amy said:
Dimmers work alright, but you have to constantly monitor and adjust your temperatures. If your house warms up 5 degress during the day your tub will go up the same amount at least. So dimmers can be a pain in the butt. LOL.
Click to expand...


yet another reason for the thermostat. but the house is programmed. it would probably come more from outside sunlight.
 
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