Help with tub set up

[EL Ziggy]

Hi all. I'm trying to set up a 60qt. sterilite tub for a new bull snake hatchling I'm getting on Thursday. I've got my UTH, thermostat, hides and water dish. I still have to pick up some fake plants for additional cover. I had a question about the ventilation holes. Can I use a drill to make the holes or will a drill crack the plastic? Also, how many holes should I have? I was thinking I'd put (10) holes along each side. All of my other critters are in 40 gal tanks so this is my first tub set up. Any useful advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Mikoh4792]

You can use a drill or a soldering iron.

I used a drill for my tubs because I didn't like the chemical smell of the burning plastic when using an iron.

Cracking can happen depending on the type of plastic, pressure..etc. I only have two cracks out of all the holes in my tubs(8).

Start out with a few holes and see where the temps/humidity stay after a few hours and then go up from there. Right now I only have 3 holes(2 holes that are 1/8" and 1 big hole that is 1/4") in all my tubs and the humidity stays around 50-60%.

[franks]

I make racks for people all the time. I use a drill to make the holes- as long as you are patient and let the drill do the drilling you will not get cracks. I know this sounds funny but what I mean is do not put pressure or push hard on the drill. You can add holes at anytime. I would make a few over the cool side for now and adjust as you need to control your humidity. To keep humidity in, drill through the sides of the sterilite. To lower humidity drill through the top.

[franks]

Edit: I like to put holes very low by the warm hide and high on the cool side- I believe it increases air flow.

[natsirtremraf]

When I setup 2 tubs recently I used a drill and a lighter. I used the lighter to heat up the tip of the drill bit some to drill the holes. It helped it get through quicker without cracking, and there isn't as much smell as you would get with a soldering iron. :)

[EL Ziggy]

Great tips guys. The tub is for a bull snake so ambient humidity should be ok. I'll add a few holes near the top and a few near the bottom. Should the 60qt. tub be ok for a while? (Measures: 26''L x 16.25''W x 12.25''H) It's the largest tub I could find with latches on the ends and the sides. I'm planning on upgrading to a 4x2 or a 5x3 in a year or so when he gets larger.

[pdomensis]

That should last you a couple years if need be.

[EL Ziggy]

I think the tub turned out ok. Let me know if you all see anything I should tweak. Apollo seems to like his new home but he isn't that fond of me yet :).