Plastic Bins for housing snakes?

[EL Ziggy]

Hey everybody, is it really ok to house snakes in plastic bins? I've heard people are buying them at Walmart and just drilling small holes in the sides and top. I know I'll have to keep a closer watch on my 4 yr. old to make sure he doesn't decide to take the "baby" out on his own. If this will work it will save me a few bucks instead of buying a more expensive aquarium. I just want to use it for a baby MBK for maybe a year or so. What about lighting (which I guess I don't really need) and the UTH heaters? Any thoughts?

[franks]

You can put a UTH under it if it is hooked up to a thermostat or dimmer. For light cycle, you can leave it in a well lit room. Kingsnakes are diurnal.

[Concept9]

They are absolutely ok, just make sure you get a good quality one like a Rubbermaid or Sterilite and the lid locks down well.

I use these for all my new babies so I don't have to buy expensive Terrariums.

My new setup for my Boa cost me only $120.00.

You can even do this cheaper if you use paper substrates and analog gauges(not recommended).

1) Tub x 1.
2) Digital Thermometer x 2.
3) Digital Hygrometer x 1.
4) UTH x 1.
5) Thermostat x 1.
6) Bag of substrate.
7) Water bowl.
8) Hide x 2.
9) Plants x 2.

[EL Ziggy]

I can get a 20gal long terrarium at PetSmart with 2 hides, light, uth, water bowl, and a bag of substrate for $120. I guess that isn't too bad. I know that will be fine for the juvenile but will that be large enough to house an adult mbk or will I have to get something larger? And since Caesar is in a 40gal terrarium I guess the new addition should be in a terrarium too. Can't play favorites : )

[Concept9]

I can get a 20gal long terrarium at PetSmart with 2 hides, light, uth, water bowl, and a bag of substrate for $120. I guess that isn't too bad. I know that will be fine for the juvenile but will that be large enough to house an adult mbk or will I have to get something larger? And since Caesar is in a 40gal terrarium I guess the new addition should be in a terrarium too. Can't play favorites : )

My MBK is in a 90gal tank. :) He is 4'7" and still growing.

That's the cheap stuff. Less then $25.00 if you go Rubbermaid and make your hides and water bowls.

Its the thermostats, gauges and UTH that gets you.

Thermostat = $45.00+
UTH = $17.00+
Gauges = $10.00ea+

[Concept9]

I can get a 20gal long terrarium at PetSmart with 2 hides, light, uth, water bowl, and a bag of substrate for $120. I guess that isn't too bad. I know that will be fine for the juvenile but will that be large enough to house an adult mbk or will I have to get something larger? And since Caesar is in a 40gal terrarium I guess the new addition should be in a terrarium too. Can't play favorites : )

This one ?

Zilla® 20G Tropical Kit - Starter Kits - Habitats & Decor - PetSmart (http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=16657086&f=PAD%2FpsNotAvailInCA%2FNo)

[EL Ziggy]

MBK, That's not the same one I was looking at (it doesn't have the hides and water dish) but other than that it's pretty much the same setup. Is that a good deal?

[Concept9]

Yes and no. LOL.

Personally, I don't like the terrarium liners unless you buy two or three so when your animal poops on it you can remove it and replace it with a clean one. But you said your come with real substrate so never mind. :P

These also come with a no-name brand heat matt. I much prefer Zoo-Med or another big name.

Most of the lids for these just sit on top and lock down with a couple spring clips, I have used these and personally I don't trust them. I sure they work ok though.

Also, these kits come with analog gauges which are well know for being inaccurate.

I guess what I'm trying say (the long way around) is that for the same money you can buy quality items, including a thermostat (Very important)
and digital gauges better suited to your reptiles needs.

As you can see from my list above that my new setup is customized for my Boa including a thermostat (very important again :)) and digital Zoo-Med thermometers and Zoo-Med UTH that can be trusted.

I hope this helps, I know we got off topic a bit, LOL

[EL Ziggy]

Yeah, I probably wouldn't use the liners. I'll stick with Aspen or Reptibark. I actually need to get a digital thermometer since I'm using an analog one right now. It stay's pretty warm here in GA. so I'm not too worried about the temps getting too low. My cool side tends to stay around 76-80 and the hot side stays around 85-90. If the top doesn't slide and lock in like the tank I have now I probably wont buy that other kit. I guess I could also get a better uth if the one that's included isn't reliable.

[Concept9]

FYI on the Repti-bark.

I tried this on my MBK and he hated it. He turned into the anti-Christ for a week. It has a strong smell but I think it was the fact he could not burrow as well.

I switched him back to aspen and he turned into a puppy dog again and was frolicking like a dolphin in the ocean.

But, all snakes are different and your may not burrow as much as mine. :)