Tubs or Tanks?

[MissMizzyMiz]

Hey, so I'm new to this forum, and fairly new to owning snakes, but I've been waiting for a couple years now to get a rosy boa, doing research, and saving up and such.

As I've been looking around I've seen a lot of people using plastic tubs to house snakes and I wanted to get opinions on them, and I have a couple of questions. It would definitely be easier for me to use a tub, and would save a lot of money so I could get other better equipment.

So my first question is how you get good heating in a tub. I'm not sure how you would set up a heat lamp with one (since it's not a screen top)? I could always use a heat pad underneath but I wasn't sure if just the heat pad was enough? What other ways could I heat a tub?

My next question is the lid, is a tub lid secure enough that they can't get out? Any tips on that?

And my last question isn't really related to tubs, but I had to ask, I breed cavies and ALWAYS have pine shavings on hand. Are wood shavings an ok substrate for snakes or will it damage their scales?

Thanks so much to anyone who answer! Please let me know if there is any problems with tubs vs tanks, or things I should know about, I want to give my future snake a comfortable habitat :)

[marvelfreak]

So my first question is how you get good heating in a tub. I'm not sure how you would set up a heat lamp with one (since it's not a screen top)? I could always use a heat pad underneath but I wasn't sure if just the heat pad was enough? What other ways could I heat a tub?

My next question is the lid, is a tub lid secure enough that they can't get out? Any tips on that?

And my last question isn't really related to tubs, but I had to ask, I breed cavies and ALWAYS have pine shavings on hand. Are wood shavings an ok substrate for snakes or will it damage their scales?

Thanks so much to anyone who answer! Please let me know if there is any problems with tubs vs tanks, or things I should know about, I want to give my future snake a comfortable habitat :)
First question: A heat pad with a thermostat to control the temps. You'll want one big enough to cover about 1/3 of the bottom of the tote.

Next: You can buy totes with locks on them. With a Rosie your going to want one with locks on all four side. You'll also want to drill air holes in it.


Then: I would stay way from pine for snakes. I found Reptile Bark works great. My buddy has a Rosie and he uses coconut husk and sand mixture.

[Stewjoe]

I don't like glass enclosures. They let in vibrations and let out heat and humidity. If they are not covered they also make some snakes insecure. Most cases of snakes escaping are from "fish tanks".

Tubs/Racks are ideal for many inactive and small snakes. They hold heat and humidity, provides snakes a sense of security and don't reverberate. They fall flat on their face for display quality though, I like being able to see my snakes without disturbing them.

I use radiant heat panels to heat my snakes when possible, it is not always feasible or practical though. For anything arboreal or semi-arboreal I do not use heat pads because they naturally climb to bask and descend into the shade to cool off.

I prefer proper reptile enclosures. Either PVC or custom enclosures. I downsized my collection so I could keep all my snakes in enclosures that were up to my high standards. I was stuck in the "gotta catch em all" mentality and had snakes in racks and I just got burned out and did not enjoy them being hidden away. I keep my snakes on paper towel, it is sanitary and easy to deal with.
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy237/stewjoe98/DSC_1323-1.jpg

[MissMizzyMiz]

Thanks! This is very helpful :)

[formica]

It all comes down to what you like, how much money you want to spend, and how you want to display your snake, there are endless discussions about the pros and cons of both, but a properly set up glass tank is just as good as a properly set up tub or wooden vivarium.

as said already, heat mat + thermostat is the best option, and you will have no problems reaching whatever tempretures you need for any snake - this is where tubs are great, they are easy to drill holes in and fit thermostats and thermometers, without to much risk of leaving the enclosure unsecured, and as long as you get a tub with a locking lid ("really usefull box", for eg), wooden vivariums are also great for this, although they need a little more care when it comes to cleaning, than tubs

that said, a glass tank, with a plastic or screen lid, is not that difficult to secure even with your probe holes drilled thru

also reiterating what has been said already, pine should not be used for reptiles, its highly toxic - infact keep those shavings and any enclosures containing them well away from your snake enclosure, dust travels a long long way