Glass tanks versus rubbermaids

[Darlene]

I am curious how one measures up against the other. I am looking at things such as ease of regulating temperature & humidity; ease of cleaning; ease of escape proofing; etc. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks. Dar.

[lolaophidia]

After trying to keep tanks clean for the past 15 years or so I totally recommend rubbermaids. Big tanks are really hard to clean well. Dropping them is a real possibility (I've dropped a few moving and it's just horrible). I can clean 15 rubbermaid tubs in the time that it took to clean a couple of 20 longs. I can carry a rubbermaid out in the yard and hose it out much easier than a glass aquarium. Also, rubbermaids are so cheap I can keep spares and just swap them out if I don't have time to clean everything.

I'm also keeping snakes that require high humidity (Brazilian Rainbows) or higher than ambient humidity (Mandarin Rat Snakes) and the tubs are definitely an easier way to raise humidity.

I use under tank heating (or a heated rack) for my snakes in tubs and with a thermostat have had no problems.

As far as security, knock on wood, but no escapes from tubs to date. I've got 3 snakes in loose tubs and 7 in tubs in a sliding rack from Animal Plastics. You really have to look at how the lid latches though. I wouldn't trust a hatchling in most plastic tubs due to the security of the lid. With tanks, you've got to have clips to hold the screen tops on. I've had numerous escapes over the years from trying to use books, bricks, large rocks and other heavy objects to weight the lids down. I've seen people do all sorts of things to escape proof rubbermaids- bungee cords, velcro or straps, hooks through the lid and the lip of the tub. If the lid fits well and doesn't have a gap it shouldn't be a problem though.

Sorry so long, but I think I've answered your question!

[Darlene]

Thanks a bunch, Lolaophidia. That was a HUGE help. Much obliged, Dar.

[reverendsterlin]

I use rubbermaid for transport and temporary storage. The issues Lora brought up are definitely relevant, but I still use tanks (though I would prefer vision or boaphile caging) for the simple reason that even the clearest plastic distorts and they all will scratch, I want to clearly see my animals without needing to open the enclosure. To each their own.

[Invictus]

One other thing I've noticed since I moved my corns into rubbermaids (They used to share a tank) - the smell is about 10 times worse. For some reason, the plastic just triples the stink and leaves the whole house smelly. Advantage - WAY easier to DE-stink. :)

[lolaophidia]

I agree on the smell issue- but what do you expect- those boxes aren't just holding in humidity... ;) Just means I HAVE to clean them right away, which is a good thing.

I've got a Boaphile 321D for my Taiwan Beauty (he's 7' and needs the room). He's also a great display snake, active and interactive. The other snakes in my collection tend to be more timid and I think they appreciate the privacy that a slightly opaque enclosure provides.

[Smilts]

I have both and prefer glass but sterilites are easier to clean. But as was mentioned glass smells better

[Lisa]

glass looks better+ i can look in and see right away if there is an issue that needs addressing

[wyz]

We only use glass.. we have 10+ tanks in the house..

We house all our snakes and lizards in those. Some are even modified to better suite the needs of some species. I often replace glass sides with some screening for more airflow.

But, as one said, it's not easy to clean, anything 3 feet and over is hell. I broke 2 trying to take them outside.

But seems I'm hard headed, so I don't learn from these bad experiences :), but looks really nice though. And that's why I have herps, it's to look at them.

WYZ

[TheRedDragon]

I agree with you WYZ. Sure, Rubbermaids are awesome for when it comes to saving space and cleaning, but, overall, I prefer glass tanks, because, I want to SEE my herps.

[little_dragon_]

A 10 gallon tank is like 15 dollars, and a screen lid with a trap door is 15 as well. Plus I'm sure if you bought in bulk you could lower that cost by a lot. I will be using bins next summer for hatchling leo's and cresties, they don't smell at all compared to a Boa's crap, hee hee. I had my boa in a fifty gallon for 5 years then I had to sell it because of school :( Looking back, it would have been nice to have a huge bin the same size for cleaning reasons. But I think it's easier to heat a glass tank compared to a bin and have a nice display

[marisa]

IMHO Tanks are for fish.

Cons-
Heavy
CRAP ventilation
Crap humidity, and if you cover the lid to keep more moisture in, you just ruined the already crappy ventilation you already had.
dirty. I don't feel those seams can ever be as clean as a rubbermaid.

Pros for rubbermaids
Can be 100% sterile.
Can be purchased 100% clear
easy to clean
easy easy to keep up humidity even with ventilation holes
more size and shape options

Marisa

[V.hb]

Rubbermaids are great, but they arent 100% sterile.
Plastic is miles harder to disinfect and clean than glass is. Think about it, little scrapes in the plastic can house alot of bacteria. I use rubbermaids for some things, but prefer using a properly treated wooden/plexi glass enclosure...

I dont see the point of putting an expensive animal in a 5$ enclosure.

[Siretsap]

I use both. My ball pythons are in tanks. And some of my corns are in rubbermaids. I have an adult 9 year old cornsnake that is in a tank and he loves the tanks compared to rubbermaid. AS for seeing through it, I bought some very transparent rubbermaids and I don't have problem seeing my snakes through it.
They tend to be a little expensive. My rubbermaids got for approx 10$ taxes included each and I can get some aquariums for 1$ a gallon, so it is around the same price.

[marisa]

If that expensive animal is a ATB, ETB, or GTP you better believe you won't be able to use glass.

It's not about the cheapness!!!!

Its about what the animal needs. Glass simply does not provide ventilation like a rubbermaid and cannot hold humidity without cutting of what little there is.

Marisa

[Siretsap]

Marisa, there are many tanks now made specificaly for reptiles.
If you have an ATB or ETB I would put it in an aquarium for display. You can buy humidifiers that are expensive, but if you have an etb you could prob buy one without too much problems.

[marisa]

And how does this cover the ventilation problem in a fish tank? Or are you talking about custom enclosures? Obviously custom enclosures would be first choice over anything else for all species.

Marisa