Tub question

[Sharlynn93]

ok, I have never used a tub for a snake, so need some advice....I am POSSIBLY getting my husband a baby brazilian rainbow that he has been oogling over for the last month for christmas...right now she is at a pet store in a 20 long with a screen lid with a heat lamp so i KNOW she isn't getting the right humidity and temps, so I think a tub would be best for her...what I have "on hand" is a 58qt sterilite tub (no locking hinges on the lid) what would I need to do to it to make it a temporary habitat? or should I get one that has the locking hinges? is it ok to use a heat mat? (would have to order a thermostat online which would take a week but would a smaller heat mat for now be ok? looking to possibly get the snake tomorrow or the next day to make sure it doesn't get sold before I can get it for him...) figured possibly making a thick layer of substrate to knock down the surface heat? would that work as a very temporary solution?

[Terranaut]

If you keep an eye on all your temps I would think a week or so in that tub will be like an oasis compared to the pet store. As far as the tub I would personally get one with a locking lid. Someone posted something about Sterilite tubs being on sale a few weeks ago. Might be worth a look. Good luck.

[kwhitlock]

For my BRB I personally prefer the tub. He will eventually be put in an PVC enclosure soon, wasn't sure on which brand. But I couldn't imagine any other way to try and keep the humidity up enough in anything else tbh.

[Sharlynn93]

what do you use for heat? i keep reading to not use heat mats on plastic... :/

[Pareeeee]

what do you use for heat? i keep reading to not use heat mats on plastic... :/

I use heat mats. The important thing is to have them on thermostats. That way your snake and plastic are safe from burning. I would not use an unregulated heat mat on a tub...or anything.

Yeah, one of those tubs with the hinges is what you need. Like these:
http://www.plumbersurplus.com/images/prod/1/Sterilite-17551706-rw-250405-354151.jpg

Notice that the sides don't have hinges? A snake can escape by pushing the lid up in those spots. I bought large binder clips to secure the sides.
http://66.147.244.232/~neosusac/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/binder_clip.jpg

[Sharlynn93]

ok :) should I have one that has some height to it? and how far above the substrate do I drill ventilation holes? any tips for drilling into plastic without cracking?

[formica]

heat mat + thermostat, with plastic, is better than any other heating solution, and safer, than for eg heat lamp/ceramic on plastic

you probably dont need to drill any holes for a BRB because you want very high humidity, unless the tub is water and air tight (highly unlikley...but worth checking) it wont suffocate

[Sharlynn93]

thermostat is ordered, will be here friday at the latest...will the mini heat mat (i believe it is 4 watt) be warm enough? or go the next size up?

[formica]

thermostat is ordered, will be here friday at the latest...will the mini heat mat (i believe it is 4 watt) be warm enough? or go the next size up?

how big is it and how big is the tub? aim for the mat to cover at least 1/3 of the floor

[Sharlynn93]

tub is 23"x16"...mini mat is only 4x5...small is 6x8...would probably at least need a small...i don't want to spend a fortune on a heat mat when this tub will probably only be used for a few months until we get something more permanent for it...

[formica]

tub is 23"x16"...mini mat is only 4x5...small is 6x8...would probably at least need a small...i don't want to spend a fortune on a heat mat when this tub will probably only be used for a few months until we get something more permanent for it...

6x8 will do, thats 1/3 of 23x16

some people will go upto 1/2 the size, so 12x8 - cant hurt, heat mats are re-useable and inexpensive, the BRB will soon grow

[Sharlynn93]

would I be able to tape it on instead of using the adhesive? I was told you couldn't remove them once they were stuck on...

[kwhitlock]

would I be able to tape it on instead of using the adhesive? I was told you couldn't remove them once they were stuck on...

Cover the sticky part of the heat mat with aluminum foil. Gives better heat transfer and makes it reusable! :)

[Sharlynn93]

then use what to adhere it? electrical tape?

[Pareeeee]

As per the ventilation question, I would personally drill maybe two holes on each end and call it quits. None in the lid since that's where most of your moisture would escape.

Most people use a soldering iron. I tried it but prefer using my Dremmel.

[Sharlynn93]

awesome! thanks everyone!

[kwhitlock]

then use what to adhere it? electrical tape?

I use duck tape with no issues. Others I have heard is aluminum tape adn postage tape

[LadyWraith]

The tub that Pareeeee posted are awesome. I have one that I drilled holes into the lip around the top and corresponding holes in the lid, then strung the 2 together with zip ties. It's hard to explain but it makes the lid hinge like a door. I agree, very few vent holes. I use Flexwatt on a thermostat with mine. Like others have said, a heat mat on a thermostat is fine.

[Darkbird]

If you do want to drill holes, you want a nice sharp bit and some patience. Don't push hard, let the tool do the work. And add holes slowly, you can't undrill them if you make too many.

[Sharlynn93]

Ok. Heat mat is attached. Snake is purchased (boy is it dehydrated :( ) since the thermostat will not be here till Friday, will it be ok to put the mat on a timer? Say 1/2 hr on and 1/2 hr off increments?

[formica]

Ok. Heat mat is attached. Snake is purchased (boy is it dehydrated :( ) since the thermostat will not be here till Friday, will it be ok to put the mat on a timer? Say 1/2 hr on and 1/2 hr off increments?

i'd stick the heat mat to the side of the tub for now (still keep a close eye on the temps, have you got IR gun?), until you have a thermostat, get the humidity right up (water bowel, spray and lots of damp sphag - coir is great for humidity) and let him re-hydrate. I dont think a timer is a good idea tbh, last thing it needs is to over heat when dehydrated

any pics?

[Sharlynn93]

Ordered the IR gun a week ago..still waiting on the darn thing...I will move the pad to the side for now...thanks!

[Sharlynn93]

Well, its a BOY! Had him out for just a few minutes so hubby could see his new baby..no name just yet but did snap a few pics, will post once I load them :)

[Terranaut]

Post some of your tub as well. Glad your happy. A dry boa will love your tub :)

[Sharlynn93]

ambient temp is 70 right now, basking is 84.5 so far...he stays wedged under the water dish in the damp substrate on the cool side right now...very, very friendly snake :) due to feed tomorrow but i am gonna wait till the weekend when the others are due to let him settle in...he is quarantined in my living room...

http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad187/Sharlynn_Sarnoski/20131209_183619_zps52d91ea2.jpg (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/Sharlynn_Sarnoski/media/20131209_183619_zps52d91ea2.jpg.html)
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad187/Sharlynn_Sarnoski/20131209_183714_zps9ae8be9b.jpg (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/Sharlynn_Sarnoski/media/20131209_183714_zps9ae8be9b.jpg.html)
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad187/Sharlynn_Sarnoski/20131209_183832_zpsd434dbee.jpg (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/Sharlynn_Sarnoski/media/20131209_183832_zpsd434dbee.jpg.html)
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad187/Sharlynn_Sarnoski/20131209_183847_zps97729dd7.jpg (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/Sharlynn_Sarnoski/media/20131209_183847_zps97729dd7.jpg.html)
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad187/Sharlynn_Sarnoski/20131209_192858_zps640deb5f.jpg (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/Sharlynn_Sarnoski/media/20131209_192858_zps640deb5f.jpg.html)

[Sharlynn93]

btw...guess he isn't quite a "baby"...he was always balled up so I never realized just how long he was...gonna upgrade to a bigger tub soon, I think...LOL

[Terranaut]

So far so good. I would add some more cover in the enclosure asap and more opaque hides. Must be one happy snake.

[Sharlynn93]

I will do that, thanks :)

[KORBIN5895]

If you attacv the mat to the side it will prevent the snake from laying in it and getting burnt.

[Sharlynn93]

Is this better? I upgraded to a 105 qt tub because I really had no room to put more hides, etc...besides, I measured him and he is 28.5" long so that other tub was waaay too small...he didn't look that big balled up in the tank in the store...

http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad187/Sharlynn_Sarnoski/20131210_191533_zps56da4333.jpg (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/Sharlynn_Sarnoski/media/20131210_191533_zps56da4333.jpg.html)

[Terranaut]

I would switch out the two clear hides for margarine containers. How are the temps?

[Sharlynn93]

temps are 85 on hot side, and 72 on cool...I will see if I have any more margarine tubs, I don't tend to keep them around much :/