Can this be done?

[Squirtle]

So I was wondering if I can get two of those Christmas tree containers and combine them to make an 8 foot tub for my Albino Burmese Python? The tubs are 48 inches long by 18 inches wide, so cutting out one end from both of them will make them a little more than 7 ft give or take.

My dad really wants to build my burm a big cage because he's afraid of him escaping from his enclosure he's currently in and wants to make a secure environment. I'm trying to talk him out of it because it'll be his first time making a cage and he can mess up.. He asked that I should ask online where I "get all these goddamn animals from" what's the best decision.

[Gungirl]

I wouldn't trust the 2 tubs to hold in a burm. I would let your dad make an enclosure. We have a lot of good Idea's right here on the forums for building your own.The worse case is your dad messes up and then he fixes it. I think your dad is being smart about wanting to build one....

[millertime89]

I agree, I would let him have a crack at it, just make sure you can secure whichever part opens.

[ZARADOZIA]

So I was wondering if I can get two of those Christmas tree containers and combine them to make an 8 foot tub for my Albino Burmese Python? The tubs are 48 inches long by 18 inches wide, so cutting out one end from both of them will make them a little more than 7 ft give or take.

My dad really wants to build my burm a big cage because he's afraid of him escaping from his enclosure he's currently in and wants to make a secure environment. I'm trying to talk him out of it because it'll be his first time making a cage and he can mess up.. He asked that I should ask online where I "get all these goddamn animals from" what's the best decision.


Aww, make it a family event and show him all the billions of "How to" videos on youtube and then do it together. I think it's beautiful that he wants to do that for you.

[Squirtle]

Aww, make it a family event and show him all the billions of "How to" videos on youtube and then do it together. I think it's beautiful that he wants to do that for you.

Haha he's been looking at how to videos today and one of my reptile buddies is going to be helping build it.

[KORBIN5895]

Even if you could join the tubs( which would be relatively easy btw) it is the lid that would be the problem.

[Rogue628]

That's what I was thinking...I was curious as how to get a secure lid on it. Although I wouldn't try joining the two tubs, but I'm not very good at building stuff.

I do have another idea for you though. If you can get you hands on an entertainment center that's no longer being used (try craigslist's free section), they make really nice enclosures with little modifications. I've made a couple in the past and it's easy enough even I could do it and it didn't cost that much. Just make sure it's sturdy or even make it a little more sturdy, use peg board or something similar for the back for air holes and a cord hole, maybe some plexi glass (the most expensive thing) barrel bolt locks, and some modifications to the inside (like I cut out most of the shelves and walls to make it more open) and there ya go!

Wish I still had some pictures of the two I did but they got lost years ago when my hard drive crashed. One was quite large and was made for my burm. He was only 6ft when I had to rehome him (divorce sucks) but it was large enough for him to have plenty of room to grow.

[Squirtle]

What do you guys recommend to use for heating? I'm going to be getting two 3' x 11" flexwatt heat tapes.. 1 for my burm and the other for my retic. We're going to be building a 6 x 2 cage

[millertime89]

what material? for wood you'll need a RHP because belly heat in the enclosure can be dangerous and it won't get through the wood. If you're REALLY confident that water won't get on the heat tape and it can be completely sealed off from the rest of the enclosure it might work.

[stephanbakir]

Is your burm male or female? If its male I'd make the enclosure 6 feet by 18 inches by 18 inches, if its female 8X18X18. Never more then 18 inches deep, they will almost never use hides as adults so the lower height makes them feel more secure, the depth is simple, they wont normally use more then that when they coil and reaching into an enclosure thats more then 2 feet deep will require way more effort because the average person cant reach that far and still have enough leverage to clean corners.

Whatever you choose, make sure ALL joints are 10X as secure as you think you will need. I've got a good friend who works at Powerhouse Displays who sold me a pair of 6 foot PVC enclosure that I had intended as holding bins while I cleaned out my snake enclosures, a few months later I had a burm puff up and pop the hinge, and a retic did the same a while later. Powerhouse makes some nice enclosures, but these animals are powerful and that understanding needs to go into building their enclosures.

Burms are also sensitive to high/low humidity and temperature for long periods of time so you need to design it to hold humidity. What I'd do is build the vents larger then you expect to need then cover portions of them until you find a good balance. A good thermostat will do wonders and should never be forgotten.

For the retic, the same info applys but you need to understand that retics need much higher humidity till a year old, so that needs to go into the design, and if they are younger I'd keep them in bins till a year old anyway.

Flexway is the way to go but lamps have been used, if you have a night drop on your thermostat, make sure it doesn't drop below 82 or you might set off a breeding cycle in your retic, and never below 79-80 or you will be dancing with an RI.

For doors, sliding glass that can be removed is a godsend, but if that doesn't work into your design, try snapdown doors.

If I missed anything just ask.

[peterm15]

i have no idea what tubs your talking about.

BUT

ive seen burms "pop" the sides out of enclsures, If you build make sure you use decent materials.

[stephanbakir]

Burms, retics and most large constrictors can pop the sides off of enclosures easilly, if you use wood, glue then screw all joints, reinforcing them is also great.

I use 2220 and 2221 bins for all retics till about a year old, unless they grow abnormally fast.

[shaunyboy]

So I was wondering if I can get two of those Christmas tree containers and combine them to make an 8 foot tub for my Albino Burmese Python? The tubs are 48 inches long by 18 inches wide, so cutting out one end from both of them will make them a little more than 7 ft give or take.

My dad really wants to build my burm a big cage because he's afraid of him escaping from his enclosure he's currently in and wants to make a secure environment. I'm trying to talk him out of it because it'll be his first time making a cage and he can mess up.. He asked that I should ask online where I "get all these goddamn animals from" what's the best decision.


i advise you to let your dad build the cage

your father is SCARED of your burm,yet he has been GOOD enough,to let it into his HOME

if it makes your dad feel safe,then its a small price to pay,to be allowed to keep such a powerfull snake

your dad may surprize you and make a really nice looking cage,he will after all,want it to be proffesional enough to KEEP the snake from escaping

re if your burm were to ESCAPE
taking into account your fathers FEAR of the snake,he may ask you too re home it if it gets out.put yourself in his shoes,would you like something you FEARED running loose in your home ?

surely giving him a chance to build a suitable cage,is better than him freaking out and bannishing your snake from the house

not trying to alarm you or be cheeky,just trying to see it from a scared fathers perspective

cheers shaun

[Squirtle]

i advise you to let your dad build the cage

your father is SCARED of your burm,yet he has been GOOD enough,to let it into his HOME

if it makes your dad feel safe,then its a small price to pay,to be allowed to keep such a powerfull snake

your dad may surprize you and make a really nice looking cage,he will after all,want it to be proffesional enough to KEEP the snake from escaping

re if your burm were to ESCAPE
taking into account your fathers FEAR of the snake,he may ask you too re home it if it gets out.put yourself in his shoes,would you like something you FEARED running loose in your home ?

surely giving him a chance to build a suitable cage,is better than him freaking out and bannishing your snake from the house

not trying to alarm you or be cheeky,just trying to see it from a scared fathers perspective

cheers shaun
He isn't scared of my burm at all.. neither is anyone in my house.. the only reason they worry about him escaping is if one day he escapes and guests are over and I'm not home.. thats it. One of my reptile friends is going to help him build the cage.

[DavethePython]

I agree , let him build one. I know tons of keepers have their snakes in some type of rubbermaid bin . Me I am not a fan. I am sure the snake is perfectly happy there but from my logic I cannot fathom any animal being happy living that way. I prefer a nice viv that is set up to acommidate the nature of the snake . Both my Pythons are in glass terrariums with hides , and water and lots of places to go to feel secure. The snakes seem happy ,and they are in our living room of our house so it also gives a nice decorative something to look at as well.I try to make their homes as much like they would be in the wild as possible. That is just my opinion though.

[stephanbakir]

I've kept both Varanids and snakes in vivariums. ALL Varanids constantly used all the space given, the only snakes I saw use the majority of their space were the colubrids, and elapids. All of the pythons and boas would cruise the "exit" when they were looking for food then bail back to either a basking location or a hide. While my animals are in 2221s right now, they all get out every day or every other day for a bath and some good cruising time.
I keep snakes in bins, other then a few colubrids, and varanids in vivariums for those reasons.

[theapexgerman]

your right my king and milk are always moving around there hardly in there hiding spots

[shaunyboy]

he's afraid of him escaping from his enclosure he's currently in and wants to make a secure environment.

i read your post wrong then,as i thought he was afraid of the snake,not just it escaping

my apologies

weith one of your reptile friends helping build the cage,you may get a pleasant surprize in the finished cage

cheers shaun

[DavethePython]

My BPs roam all over , especially the little guy . The older one is less active but she does tend to roam about 3 or 4 times per day. I don't want to sound critical of keeping snakes in bins, just have my own preference. Kinda like keeping any animal in captivity ,we should provide as close to real environments as possible. But that is my personal preference. Everyone is entitled to their own choices and preference which is what I like most about this group . If I had a snake/reptile room , perhaps I would keep them in bins or totes like some. I keep my Pythons in the living room on display so I prefer to have something that is a little more pleasing to look at. Especially for my friends who are less than thrilled with snakes lol. They seem more relaxed with a nice "natural" set up.

[KORBIN5895]

Dave you should read the thread : tank vs tub DEATHMATCH!

[theapexgerman]

My BPs roam all over , especially the little guy . The older one is less active but she does tend to roam about 3 or 4 times per day. I don't want to sound critical of keeping snakes in bins, just have my own preference. Kinda like keeping any animal in captivity ,we should provide as close to real environments as possible. But that is my personal preference. Everyone is entitled to their own choices and preference which is what I like most about this group . If I had a snake/reptile room , perhaps I would keep them in bins or totes like some. I keep my Pythons in the living room on display so I prefer to have something that is a little more pleasing to look at. Especially for my friends who are less than thrilled with snakes lol. They seem more relaxed with a nice "natural" set up.

yea same here but later in this week I'm getting a young dum boa and I'm trying the tub and he's going to be in my room anyways but i use viv's or tanks for all of my other snake's

[stephanbakir]

Important thing about using just tubs, if it isnt in a rack system that makes it impossible for the snake to get out, drill a few holes in the lid at the corners and somehow lock the lid down, I prefer wing nuts.

[DavethePython]

I will look for it KORBIN , thanks

[theapexgerman]

Important thing about using just tubs, if it isnt in a rack system that makes it impossible for the snake to get out, drill a few holes in the lid at the corners and somehow lock the lid down, I prefer wing nuts.
since this is my first tub I'm trying to think of something good to hold down the lids and i got another idea wing nuts thanks

[KORBIN5895]

its actually called something else. It's one of Norm's thread. Ask him.

[beardeds4life]

I have also seen people put bricks on top and clips around the edges.

[stephanbakir]

I have also seen people put bricks on top and clips around the edges.
There are also people who sit cats on their enclosures... bricks and clips will NEVER be as reliable as wing nuts.
And do you really want a heavy object sitting over top of your animals supported by a thin curved plastic sheet?

[beardeds4life]

true I did not thing about that....
excuse my ignorance but what is a wing nut?

[stephanbakir]

No worries. http://www.sports-gallery.com/images/wingnut.jpg

[DavethePython]

Yeh I agree with the heavy objects . Wing nuts are the way to go. Or I use Duct tape. If it is strong enough to hold a fender on a NASCAR at 200 plus MPH it should hols the lid on a Python cage lol.

[stephanbakir]

I thought so till I had a burm smash through the plexiglass of his enclosure lol. The plastic of the bins will go before the wingnuts go.

[theapexgerman]

Yeh I agree with the heavy objects . Wing nuts are the way to go. Or I use Duct tape. If it is strong enough to hold a fender on a NASCAR at 200 plus MPH it should hols the lid on a Python cage lol.
Duct Tape can fix almost anything or be use anything

[stephanbakir]

Did you see the duct tape cannon?

[theapexgerman]

yea it was badass i watch mythbusters a lot i saw so many thing's duct tape can be use for building a bridge now that's insane

[beardeds4life]

duct tape is amazing

[theapexgerman]

it can also be use to build a boat Ive built a potato launcher out of duct tape for my little cousin science fair project awhile back it work for awhile till the duct tape gave away from so much pressure

[peterm15]

i had a boa crack a rubbermaid and get out.
Lazy ******* just sat on the lid until i came in.

[theapexgerman]

i had a boa crack a rubbermaid and get out.
Lazy ******* just sat on the lid until i came in.

lol at least he/she love's you to much to leave you

[stephanbakir]

Thats badass lol, everytime my snakes break out, I either find them outside the house (one of our BALL PYTHONS went up the vent above the stove and got onto the roof) or next to the feeders or in the couch...

[beardeds4life]

Thats badass lol, everytime my snakes break out, I either find them outside the house (one of our BALL PYTHONS went up the vent above the stove and got onto the roof) or next to the feeders or in the couch...

how did you find it?

[stephanbakir]

Neighbor was sitting in his rocker and saw it on my roof, rofl.

[beardeds4life]

wow your lucky!

[Squirtle]

Just got done building him a 5x3x3 wood enclosure. Will upload a pic if you guys promise not to laugh, think we did a bad job being our first cage and all :p

[Gungirl]

Promise no laughing. Some might give you tips to make the next one easier or better but just to try and help.

[Squirtle]

Only problem is that the glass doesnt slide too well because of the nails drilled down on the track, anyone know know how to fix that?

[Gungirl]

I don't think I understand what you mean.. can you post a picture of the track area?

[Squirtle]

The track used for sliding doors.. We drilled nails down into it to keep it in place and it's hard to slide the glass because of it

[KORBIN5895]

Only problem is that the glass doesnt slide too well because of the nails drilled down on the track, anyone know know how to fix that?

Counter sink your holes or use industrial strength adhesive.

[Gungirl]

Ditto what Dumber said...

Are you using glass or plexi?

[hylia]

Hi, sorry if it's going off the topic, but what does RHP stand for? I am also looking into building my own enclosure for my Boa and I finding these threads very informative. Thanks.

[KORBIN5895]

Radiant heat panel.

[hylia]

Thanks Korbin

[Squirtle]

Ditto what Dumber said...

Are you using glass or plexi?

Yeah I'm using some type of heavy glass. Will post a pic tomorrow

[Caylan]

You've seen these right? Vision Products (http://www.visionproducts.us/htm7/tubs.html) the very bottom would be good for a juvenile-young adult burm.