Tubs vs display enclosures

[Zelg]

So I'm still pretty new to the hobby (have my 1 bp but looking to expand soon) and I've clearly made my decision about tubs. I just dont like them. I see the appeal for large collections of snakes but if i just have a few snakes then I'd much rather be able to see them explore.

So my question i guess is why do those who only have a few snakes prefer tubs? Is it simply the ease of maintenance? I cant imagine having snakes and to not be able to just look over and see what they're doing, observe their behavior, etc.

I also have found that I really enjoy decorating and setting up enclosures and tubs are just always so plain.

Anyways, just curious about everyones motivation for going the route they chose as far as tubs vs anything else.

[Moreau]

When I first started I ended up with some ball pythons and sand boas and of course jumped on the tub / rack band wagon. I kept them this way for a year or more. I quickly found that this way of keeping snakes was not for me. It was boring, I couldn't see them, they had nothing to explore. I felt bad in the end keeping them this way.

I sold off my balls and sand boas and now I have carpets, a kingsnake and a boa, all in display cages. It is so much better this way. I can watch them explore, I can see who has dirtied their cage, shed, is looking hungry etc. I can walk up to their cages and see them come up to the front to check me out, watch them exploring. I like it much better this way. It takes ALOT more room, but it's worth it in my opinion.

[Zelg]

Feeling bad is another reason that keeps me from doing tubs. I can't feel good about keeping them in a little box with nothing to explore. My ball is in his hide like 95% of his time but that 5% I feel like he should be able to come out and explore his cage and climb through branches and all that. I just feel like they probably appreciate a little "leg room" so to speak.

As far as taking up room I think that kind of goes hand in hand with giving your animals room to move. I'd much rather have 5 snakes in cages scattered around the house than a room fool of plastic tubs that barely fit the snake. They look so much nicer and IMO are much more rewarding of a keeping experience.

I also want to stress that I'm not here to diss anyone's choice to keep their snakes in tubs. Simply, I just want the reasons and motivations behind your choice to keep your snakes one way or another.

I totally get the large collection of ball morphs and all that its just not for me and I'd lke to see where other people are coming from when they decided to 1) stick with tubs and 2)increase their collection size, making tub racks their main choice of housing.

I've thought about tub/rack systems myself but I feel like it just sucks the fun out of the hobby.

[natsirtremraf]

I'm using tubs right now for my younglings. But I also build my own wooden cages, so once they are complete they'll get moved in.

I do agree though, the ones I have in cages vs. tubs are more interesting because you can see them without walking up and squinting through the plastic tub wall.

[EL Ziggy]

I have 3 snakes in 40 gallon tanks but the youngest one is in a tub. This was my first tub set up and while I do like the cost, ease and lightweight of tub set ups, I also like to be able to see my snakes too. I'm going to start upgrading to PVC cages soon for my two Bull snakes and I'll leave my kings in their tanks unless they get quite a bit larger. The tub doesn't look bad though :).

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t674/EL-Ziggy/Mobile%20Uploads/Tub_zps04f60350.jpg (http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/EL-Ziggy/media/Mobile%20Uploads/Tub_zps04f60350.jpg.html)

[Zelg]

^lol that is the fanciest tub setup I've ever seen. Granted I dont go looking for tub setup pictures though :)

My ball is in a glass tank right now. Its taken a while to really get his temps and humidty dialed in. I barely have to touch it now but it does fluctuate and I have to keep an eye on it. I have ordered a pvc cage though so I'm just waiting on that to arrive.

I'm once my pvc cage arrives and my ball is settled i'm going to start building my own wooden cages and see how I do with those. I really like the idea of customizing your cage exactly how you see fit regarding shapes and sizes so that will be fun.

[Obsidian_Dragon]

I've seen some pretty fancy tubs. They aren't all paper towel/water bowl/token hide set ups, thankfully!

Hell, I've seen barren "display" enclosures. Those always make me very sad, because they're even WORSE--they lack the sense of security an opaque tub would provide. :|

[Zelg]

I've seen some pretty fancy tubs. They aren't all paper towel/water bowl/token hide set ups, thankfully!

Hell, I've seen barren "display" enclosures. Those always make me very sad, because they're even WORSE--they lack the sense of security an opaque tub would provide. :|


I totally agree with barren display enclosures. Its absolutely terrible but when you have people who are guided by the likes of petsmart employees who keep the store cages full of crap (literally) and have one little branch for 3 balls to live on with no hides, you end up with terribly misinformed new snake owners (myself having been one however I was smart enough to have hides and heat sources:)

Anyways, I'm not so much trying to dis tubs as an enclosure. I'd be totally fine with nice sized tubs that are well done. I keep hearing that temps and humidity are super easy to control with them. My only probably would just be personally, not being able to view them as well. I'd rather not have to totally disturb the snake just to see if its still breathing or to see if he needs water or any other little thing that just takes a quick glance.

[EL Ziggy]

The tub I use isn't totally transparent like my glass tanks but you can still see into it fairly well. I just wish I could find a really nice larger tub with the same security and visibility qualities.

[Minkness]

I get the tubs for breeders and large collections.But I share the same views as the OP in that I like to see my animals. It would certainly make more sense for me to have tubs for my leopard geckos since I have like 9 of them and they shouldn't be housed together (though I lucked out a bit and found 2 females that cohabitate without any issues!). And while I have only one itty bitty baby MBK for now, I KNOW I'll want a few other snakes as well. However, I have plans of 'observation' tanks for all of them. Saving up for front opening lockable zoo meds so I can stack them and still have access! It will surely be a work in progress, but my eventual plans are to have fully 'natural' set ups that combine easy viewing, easy cleaning, and durability.

The really nice reptile store in the next city over (cause mine doesn't have one), has all of their snakes and leopard geckos in a rack system, which is nice, but I haaaate have to open each tub just to peek in and see what the labeled animal looks like lol. However they have fully natural viewing set ups for all of their bugs (trantualas, hissing roaches, ect), dart frogs, other geckos (cresteds, gargs, ect), bearded dragons, and so on.

So for me, it's 'tanks' over 'tubs' any day!

Note: I also seem to go for the reptiles that require less humidity anyway, so I have never really had an issue with screen lids. =)

[PsychoSnake]

I set up my babies in tubs for cost efficiency, but yeah it is nicer to see them out and about in a display cage. I don't mind keeping sand boas in tubs their whole lives though. You don't hardly ever see them anyway.

[Obsidian_Dragon]

I'm going to tub my next snake, but that's in part because a tub of the size I need is much, much cheaper than a display enclosure of the same size. I'd like to get one anyway, but let's save that $400 expenditure until later.

This is the price I pay for setting my sights on a semi-arboreal species. :P

[sharthun]

I get the tubs for breeders and large collections.But I share the same views as the OP in that I like to see my animals. It would certainly make more sense for me to have tubs for my leopard geckos since I have like 9 of them and they shouldn't be housed together (though I lucked out a bit and found 2 females that cohabitate without any issues!). And while I have only one itty bitty baby MBK for now, I KNOW I'll want a few other snakes as well. However, I have plans of 'observation' tanks for all of them. Saving up for front opening lockable zoo meds so I can stack them and still have access! It will surely be a work in progress, but my eventual plans are to have fully 'natural' set ups that combine easy viewing, easy cleaning, and durability.

The really nice reptile store in the next city over (cause mine doesn't have one), has all of their snakes and leopard geckos in a rack system, which is nice, but I haaaate have to open each tub just to peek in and see what the labeled animal looks like lol. However they have fully natural viewing set ups for all of their bugs (trantualas, hissing roaches, ect), dart frogs, other geckos (cresteds, gargs, ect), bearded dragons, and so on.

So for me, it's 'tanks' over 'tubs' any day!

Note: I also seem to go for the reptiles that require less humidity anyway, so I have never really had an issue with screen lids. =)

Don't forget another option for enclosures are pvc cages. Plastic enclosures are lighter, easier to clean and heat. Also hold humidity very well. There are some great brands to choose from. Myself,I use animal plastics t10's for my colubrids. Pvccages,Constrictor's Northwest also make great enclosures.

edit forgot links to enclosures:

Animal Plastics:

Animal Plastics (http://www.apcages.com/home/)

Pvccages:

Snake Cage and Reptile Cage at PVC Cages | PVC Cages: For Healthier and Happier Snakes and Reptiles (http://pvccages.com/)

Constrictor's Northwest:

Constrictors Northwest (http://www.constrictorsnw.com/)

[Shann]

I'm personally not a fan of tubs. I never want more snakes than I can set up on display cages. But for certain species I'm not opposed to tubs. There are benefits for some but they aren't for me. I like my pro-line (constrictors northwest). It's easy to maintain ( far easier than my tanks) and looks really nice. I love a stack of pro-line cages.

Here's mine. I'll be upgrading to a six foot cage when I get a new place, and I'll use this four foot one for a smaller boa of some kind. I don't use the light regularly, just to show her off or clean. It's just for display.

http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz295/buglersholiday/IMG_7544_zps2b52c19e.jpg

[Minkness]

That's a beautiful set up! I may have to look into those instead of the zoomed front opening ones. Thanks for sharing!

I also agree that I will never have more snakes than I can display.

[sharthun]

Here are my 3 ap t10's on the left:

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy177/midgetzombiekiller/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-09/20140907_202623_zps1v5cuq45.jpg (http://s789.photobucket.com/user/midgetzombiekiller/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-09/20140907_202623_zps1v5cuq45.jpg.html)

[knox]

EXCELLENT set ups. When I have the space, I am going to build something nicer. Hopefully next fall when I get out of my apartment and into a house.

[CK SandBoas]

My BRB, my adult male ball python and a few of my larger female sand boas are in display enclosures, while my hoggies, the rest of my sand boas and my two younger Ball Pythons are in tubs. I'm hoping in the very near future to switch over all but the BRB to rack systems with tubs...

[Cmwells90]

It's really just a question of aesthetics or not caring. I have 3 display cages currently and honestly I could move my Hognose into a tub, and it wouldn't change anything, he's never really above his bedding. The next few snakes I get will probably go in tubs because the cost is lower and I can find some relativly transparent tubs so I can still check what I need at a glance and lift the lid to check for water or sheds. Both are amazing, and PVC cages are the best of both worlds IMO.

[Minkness]

Daaaang...that's a nice set up!

[sharthun]

Daaaang...that's a nice set up!

Thanks, I like the Constrictor's Norhtwest pro line cages as well. They were my second choice next to Animal Plastics.

[Minkness]

The pvc enclosures sure look nice! A bit out of my reptile budget however. =/

I'll feel spoiled enough when I get my zoomeds lol.

[sharthun]

The pvc enclosures sure look nice! A bit out of my reptile budget however. =/

I'll feel spoiled enough when I get my zoomeds lol.

The AP T10's aren't that expensive imo compared to their glass counterparts;

Animal Plastics T10 Terrestrial Cage (http://www.apcages.com/home/terrestrial/T10/T10.htm)

and a link to their other terrestrial cages:

Terrestrial Cages (http://www.apcages.com/home/terrestrial/terrestrial.htm)

[Minkness]

Oh thanks!

[marvelfreak]

Tubs aren't bad. These work great for some of my bigger snakes. Plus i can see them no problem.

http://imageshack.com/a/img593/835/img0766u.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img834/2025/img0661eat.jpg

[IW17]

Hey marvel, how hard is it keeping your temps up in your basement? I'm moving soon and I'm setting up an unfinished basement as my Critter/retreat room. I'm worried about the floor and walls not being insulated. Have you moded your basement in any way? I'm in Ohio and I figure our climates are about the same.

[Zelg]

Tubs aren't bad. These work great for some of my bigger snakes. Plus i can see them no problem.

http://imageshack.com/a/img593/835/img0766u.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img834/2025/img0661eat.jpg


Im not trying to say tubs are bad. Just not for me and my personal tastes. I can definitely see myself keeping some burrowing snakes in tubs for sure. I just would rather have something aesthetically pleasing. I say this with no offense intended but I find your setup to just be really drab. I think i'd have a hard time getting excited about going to clean those up.

Now if you're just doing it for cost I get it. Not tryin to hate, just trying to understand why people would PREFER tubs over display enclosures, assuming cost wasnt a huge issue (obviously if you have 50 snakes its a no brainer:)

Then again I'm someone who would just rather have 4-5 snakes (i say that now in my first year of snake ownership lol so who knows what ill end up with) and have everything look fantastic while providing enough security.

However I do kind of like the idea of just walking up to a rack and pulling out a tub and grabbing a snake to take it out if needed. My setup right now I have to remove branches and the vine thats wrapped around it and THEN I can lift up the hide. Kind of a pain but again, aesthetics trumps ease of maintenance for me I guess.

[pdomensis]

Tubs aren't bad. These work great for some of my bigger snakes. Plus i can see them no problem.

http://imageshack.com/a/img593/835/img0766u.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img834/2025/img0661eat.jpg

I'm checking the stores regularly this year for those nice Xmas storage totes. No luck yet!

[Obsidian_Dragon]

Well, at least for me--if I want larger snakes, and thus larger enclosures, ease of cleaning is a concern. And plastic tubs are lighter and easier to wrangle.

(I'm a woman, and my upper arm strength is a joke.)

My king and garter are in glass aquariums, and the 20 gallon long for the king is as large as I dare go. For my eventual russian rat, tub is how it's gotta be. I need to be able to MOVE the dang thing to clean it!

The PVC enclosures are niiiice but hahahha money. :|

[Minkness]

I don't need to move mine. I just put liner in the bottom so when it's cleaning time I lift it, do a quick sanitized spray, wipe it out, put new liner in then whatever substrate. (Eco earth for my AFT and sanichips for my MBK). I'll be investing in front opening tanks though so there's not as much reaching 'over' lol.

[pet_snake_78]

I'm torn on this subject as well. I don't plan to have a large collection but I'll probably have around 20 adults of various species by the end of next season. Part of me wants to keep adding T8s (I used dividers for small species) and part of me wants to start building racks. I think 41qts would work. The T8s when stacked are kind of a pain to take down and apart for a thoroughly disinfection which I like to do every 6 months with a hose after soaking in bleach. With tubs it would seem much easier to do such a thing. Does anyone know what's the highest you should stack AP cages. I have a pretty tall ceiling and a step stool so I am considering going all the up to the ceiling if I don't do a rack instead.

[marvelfreak]

Hey marvel, how hard is it keeping your temps up in your basement? I'm moving soon and I'm setting up an unfinished basement as my Critter/retreat room. I'm worried about the floor and walls not being insulated. Have you moded your basement in any way? I'm in Ohio and I figure our climates are about the same.
All i do is put plastic over the windows for the winter and i have a radiant heater in there to maintain room temperature of 70 in the breeders room and 76 in the Dumeril Boa/ Blood python room. My breeders i am cooling so their room cooler. With Dumeril and Bloods i found they don't need a cool down period to breed. Right now i do believe my female BRB is knocked up. (fingers cross)


Im not trying to say tubs are bad. Just not for me and my personal tastes. I can definitely see myself keeping some burrowing snakes in tubs for sure. I just would rather have something aesthetically pleasing. I say this with no offense intended but I find your setup to just be really drab. I think i'd have a hard time getting excited about going to clean those up.

Now if you're just doing it for cost I get it. Not tryin to hate, just trying to understand why people would PREFER tubs over display enclosures, assuming cost wasnt a huge issue (obviously if you have 50 snakes its a no brainer:)

Then again I'm someone who would just rather have 4-5 snakes (i say that now in my first year of snake ownership lol so who knows what ill end up with) and have everything look fantastic while providing enough security.

However I do kind of like the idea of just walking up to a rack and pulling out a tub and grabbing a snake to take it out if needed. My setup right now I have to remove branches and the vine thats wrapped around it and THEN I can lift up the hide. Kind of a pain but again, aesthetics trumps ease of maintenance for me I guess.
No offense taking. I actually use all three tubs, Boaphile cages and custom. http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/13/img0767cr.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/0dimg0767crj)



In this picture you can see all three. also part of why i use the totes is they are cheap and work great for medium size snake. But i do plan on switching all my adult to the PVC style cages.



Well, at least for me--if I want larger snakes, and thus larger enclosures, ease of cleaning is a concern. And plastic tubs are lighter and easier to wrangle.

(I'm a woman, and my upper arm strength is a joke.)

My king and garter are in glass aquariums, and the 20 gallon long for the king is as large as I dare go. For my eventual russian rat, tub is how it's gotta be. I need to be able to MOVE the dang thing to clean it!

The PVC enclosures are niiiice but hahahha money. :|
The totes i use have wheels one one end so they are super easy to move.
Here's a link plus a long with Wal Mart at the bottom of the ad it tells you other stores that sell them. Wal Mart carries them in the lawn and garden section this time of year.IRIS - VE-175W - IRIS USA Inc - storage and organization products home (http://irisusainc.com/p-680-ve-175w.aspx)

[shaunyboy]

i have no issues with people who use tubs.....

personally i prefer to use vivariums with glass doors at the front for all my carpets


cheers shaun

[shaunyboy]

All i do is put plastic over the windows for the winter and i have a radiant heater in there to maintain room temperature of 70 in the breeders room and 76 in the Dumeril Boa/ Blood python room. My breeders i am cooling so their room cooler. With Dumeril and Bloods i found they don't need a cool down period to breed. Right now i do believe my female BRB is knocked up. (fingers cross)



No offense taking. I actually use all three tubs, Boaphile cages and custom. http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/13/img0767cr.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/0dimg0767crj)



In this picture you can see all three. also part of why i use the totes is they are cheap and work great for medium size snake. But i do plan on switching all my adult to the PVC style cages.




The totes i use have wheels one one end so they are super easy to move.
Here's a link plus a long with Wal Mart at the bottom of the ad it tells you other stores that sell them. Wal Mart carries them in the lawn and garden section this time of year.IRIS - VE-175W - IRIS USA Inc - storage and organization products home (http://irisusainc.com/p-680-ve-175w.aspx)

your snake rooms looking good Chuck

i like the 4 cages at the back of the room in the pic


cheers shaun

[marvelfreak]

your snake rooms looking good Chuck

i like the 4 cages at the back of the room in the pic


cheers shaun
Thanks Shaun.

[IW17]

Thanks Chuck. The basement stays relatively warm so with a heater I'm pretty sure it'll work nicely.

[lewis13]

The tub I use isn't totally transparent like my glass tanks but you can still see into it fairly well. I just wish I could find a really nice larger tub with the same security and visibility qualities.


If you have a local Walmart check them for Christmas tree tubs. They are awesome to use. They are about 5' long and 21'wide and 18" high. I keep my bp and my red tail boa in them now. They are the same totes that are in Marvel's pics.

[Zelg]

Marvel, I guess I didnt taken into account how large you collection was haha. I definitely see why you'd want to use tubs. You already have plenty of the more traditional cages so I'd imagine that takes away a lot of the urge to need to view them. If you can see 10 will it hurt to not see 5 as well as the other 10? Makes sense to me.

Still not for me but I do enjoy seeing the different approaches.

[Minkness]

I agree on that. If you have some to view than that make more sense lol. I personally want to see all of my reptiles though, soooo....I just rotate cleaning days lol

I currently have 11 tanks. 6 for leos, 4 for cresteds, and 1 snake lol. Though, I maaaay add another snake to the collection later. Hehe, still letting mom get used to the 1st one!

I admit that I half considered a rack system for my leos though....I had 20 at one point @_@

[millertime89]

I use T8s instead of T10s, save some money that way and they usually ship really quickly. They're the same size just 3 inches shorter.

I use a variety. For the larger snakes I obviously have to use what you guys call "display" cages but all they are are the only cages on the market that will house the animals once they get up to size. I use the Christmas Tree tubs as well (like in Chuck's picture) for a grumpy snake so all I have to do is swap her from a dirty one to a clean one. I've got tubs too and they're very simple, easy to heat, hold humidity well, easy to clean, and when one gets too dirty to clean I can just toss it and get another for a few bucks. When you're cleaning 6ft cages you'll do what you can to save on time elsewhere.

I really dislike glass as it's a terrible insulator, plastic is the way to go IMO. Wood is good too, but heavy.

[shaunyboy]

i forgot to say.....

i use appropriate sized tubs for my quarantine snakes



cheers shaun

[EL Ziggy]

If you have a local Walmart check them for Christmas tree tubs. They are awesome to use. They are about 5' long and 21'wide and 18" high. I keep my bp and my red tail boa in them now. They are the same totes that are in Marvel's pics.

Thanks Lewis, I'm on the lookout for these tubs now. I could use at least one.

[Zelg]

I use T8s instead of T10s, save some money that way and they usually ship really quickly. They're the same size just 3 inches shorter.

I use a variety. For the larger snakes I obviously have to use what you guys call "display" cages but all they are are the only cages on the market that will house the animals once they get up to size. I use the Christmas Tree tubs as well (like in Chuck's picture) for a grumpy snake so all I have to do is swap her from a dirty one to a clean one. I've got tubs too and they're very simple, easy to heat, hold humidity well, easy to clean, and when one gets too dirty to clean I can just toss it and get another for a few bucks. When you're cleaning 6ft cages you'll do what you can to save on time elsewhere.

I really dislike glass as it's a terrible insulator, plastic is the way to go IMO. Wood is good too, but heavy.


Glass is definitely a terrible insulator. I cant wait till my new cage arrives. My next cage will be wood but thats just because I want to start building my own and have custom sizes and make sure everything is how I want it.

Thats a good point on cleaning larger cages. I think my cage right now is just 30" long so it takes like 2 minutes maybe for me to scoop out my bedding, then a couple more to clean and another 5-10 to replace the contents. I can definitely see how having multiple to clean, ESPECIALLY larger cages, can take up a lot of time. Hell I only have one year and half old bp and I'm already thinking about future cleaning schedules lol.

If only we all had millions of dollars and a cleaning crew.

[Minkness]

If only we all had millions of dollars and a cleaning crew.

Omg yes! Then I'd own a zoo! Lol

No...seriously.... =D

[marvelfreak]

Marvel, I guess I didnt taken into account how large you collection was haha. I definitely see why you'd want to use tubs. You already have plenty of the more traditional cages so I'd imagine that takes away a lot of the urge to need to view them. If you can see 10 will it hurt to not see 5 as well as the other 10? Makes sense to me.

Still not for me but I do enjoy seeing the different approaches.
The reason i have to tubs side ways is so i can still view them, but with it being a little hard to see threw than glass it help give them a since of security. Plus like with my Carpets i have branches in them for climbing.You can do anything with a tote you would a cage. their just cheaper and open from the top.

Also reminds me i had a Borneo that hated the cages would try to bite and got down right mean after being moved from a tote to a cage. So i ended up moving him back and after only two weeks he was right back to being a mellow nice snake again. I believe he just felt more secure in the tote.

[millertime89]

Thanks Lewis, I'm on the lookout for these tubs now. I could use at least one.

They're probably not on sale yet. They usually go out after Christmas. Roughly $30 a piece. I bought 5 last year.

[EL Ziggy]

They're probably not on sale yet. They usually go out after Christmas. Roughly $30 a piece. I bought 5 last year.

Do you use any extra clips or cords to secure the tops or are they pretty secure by themselves? My Bull Snake is pretty strong and I was wondering if they could push the lids off.

[millertime89]

They're pretty sturdy but I'm sure a determined snake could push the lid off if they tried. I just bought some straps and wrap them around to be safe.

[ManSlaughter33]

I'm using a tub currently,
But picking up a nice sized enclosure today :)
My girl just wants to climb, shes wrecking my Charlie Brown Xmas tree lol

[Zelg]

The reason i have to tubs side ways is so i can still view them, but with it being a little hard to see threw than glass it help give them a since of security. Plus like with my Carpets i have branches in them for climbing.You can do anything with a tote you would a cage. their just cheaper and open from the top.

Also reminds me i had a Borneo that hated the cages would try to bite and got down right mean after being moved from a tote to a cage. So i ended up moving him back and after only two weeks he was right back to being a mellow nice snake again. I believe he just felt more secure in the tote.


I'm curious if your Borneo was started in a tote or cage? Sounds like he was raised in a tote and then at some point moved to a cage, is that right? If so I would imagine that had he been started in a cage he might have done well with it. (I have no clue lol, just my imagination) Maybe not. Either way, not trying to talk you out of totes. You have far more experience and knowledge than I do.

[lewis13]

They're probably not on sale yet. They usually go out after Christmas. Roughly $30 a piece. I bought 5 last year.


I just bought another one at my walmart in NC a few days ago. They had about 30 of them stacked up in their Christmas/garden department.

[IW17]

Do you use any extra clips or cords to secure the tops or are they pretty secure by themselves? My Bull Snake is pretty strong and I was wondering if they could push the lids off.

I have a male retic in one that's pushing 7' and he's always cruising and pushing. I have no extras to secure it and it does fine. I'm gonna be putting him in his new home soon and moving other snakes into a rack I'm building to hold these tubs. They really are a great option if money is tight and you don't mind tubs.

[marvelfreak]

I'm curious if your Borneo was started in a tote or cage? Sounds like he was raised in a tote and then at some point moved to a cage, is that right? If so I would imagine that had he been started in a cage he might have done well with it. (I have no clue lol, just my imagination) Maybe not. Either way, not trying to talk you out of totes. You have far more experience and knowledge than I do.
Nope he was started in a small glass cage but after a few months of having humidity issues i was told to try moving him to a tub. Once i did i no longer had humidity issues and he started eating more regularly. I have found the PVC cages work great and so do the tubs. In my experience tubs work best for babies who require high humidity. Once i have the money for more cages i want to move any snake a year or old into PVC cages. Now snakes like my Savu i will always keep in the big tubs i have because they are escape proof.

[Kuamata]

OP described my problem 100%. I like to view my collection rather than not being able to see them through an opaque tub. The T10 looks really nice, I may invest in one soon. I wish I had the tools and area to build my own. Live in a trailer, don't really have a garage to build in, building inside your home is messy, and the only stable ground we have is either our enclosed porch, or our driveway that is completely occupied by our two cars.

[EL Ziggy]

I see pros and cons for both display enclosures and tubs. I guess it's really just a matter of preference. Our snakes can obviously thrive in both set-ups. My kings seem fine in their 40g tanks. My yearling bull could probably use more space. So do I get the T-8, T-10 or a Christmas tote? That is the question. My 6 month bull is currently in a 60qt. tub but I'll move him to the 40g until he outgrows it next year.

[Zelg]

OP described my problem 100%. I like to view my collection rather than not being able to see them through an opaque tub. The T10 looks really nice, I may invest in one soon. I wish I had the tools and area to build my own. Live in a trailer, don't really have a garage to build in, building inside your home is messy, and the only stable ground we have is either our enclosed porch, or our driveway that is completely occupied by our two cars.


lol I live in a mobile home park in a double wide and while I have plenty living space, my "backyard" is the size of my "driveway" which also fits two cars in-line. Not a ton of room to work with but i'm going to be purchasing a few lighter weight tools (skill saw and a lightweight table saw) which I figure will at least allow me to make basic cages. If theres a will theres a way I guess.

[Kuamata]

lol I live in a mobile home park in a double wide and while I have plenty living space, my "backyard" is the size of my "driveway" which also fits two cars in-line. Not a ton of room to work with but i'm going to be purchasing a few lighter weight tools (skill saw and a lightweight table saw) which I figure will at least allow me to make basic cages. If theres a will theres a way I guess.

Lol I suppose. We live on about an acre. We got lucky and got a corner lot, but... we live on a hillside..
About half of our lot is flattish land and the other half is a downward slope. The land is really soft, too. Muddy and mushy, not a whole lot of fun to step on if it's rained within the past week. We have two spots in our yard that are just large mud holes. They aren't wide, the grass often hides them. One time I was walking and accidentally stepped on one and my leg sunk in half way lol. I'd do that kinda stuff on my porch, maybe, but being that it's enclosed I got a bunch of crap out there I still can't figure out what to do with lol.

[Brett943]

DISPLAY ALL THE WAYYY!!! At some point all of these snakes were housed in tubs which work great but I sure do love the clear visibility of display enclosures to observe my snakes.

[Jim Smith]

I guess it depends on your preferences and to an extent on how much space and/or money you have to spend on enclosures. I keep my snakes in display cages from Constrictors Northwest which I really like. They provide easy to access the snakes and/or to clean the enclosures as the door gives full access to the entire cage. That said, I brumate my snakes in large tubs which I keep covered to keep them dark. I check on them every couple of days to make sure that everything's okay and change their water. Other than brumation or isolating new snakes for quarantine where I use tubs, I prefer display cages as it lets me watch my snakes as they explore their enclosures or go about their business which is a big part of how I enjoy my snakes.