Cheaper Alternatives

[marisa]

In regards to a thread about heating pads and such and how you can get the equivilant of reptile items cheaper at other places, I thought a thread listing some good products sold at local stores that work for us herpers would be a good idea.

For those in Ontario

If you are near Dollarama they are selling at least 3 types of pet bowls that will not knock over. One is made from ceramic, one heavy metal with a black rubber base that is far wider than the lip, and a few other types. They also sell clear plastic plant dishes that I use for disposible water dishes, these ones can tip but I use them just fine and I just throw them out since they cost 25 cents each.

Let's hear what you guys have found. I have plenty more I just gotta think of them.

Marisa

[Auskan]

Well, the obvious item is to wire your own rheostat (thanks Lisa for the directions!!!) versus paying bookoo bucks for a commercial rheostat.

Umm..for feeders. I use the walmart equivalent of carefresh at about 1/3 the cost.

I went for a walk and found tons of branches that are quite appropriate for snakes if you want a more natural looking viv. Put 'em in the oven for a couple of hours and save the $8-15 that the pet stores want for the same item.

[gonesnakee]

Loonie stores are good for cheap clay H20 dishes etc. & also have other items such as cheap tongs, heat paks for shipping, hot H2O bottles, cheap "rubbermaid type" containers for H20 or nesting boxes & it goes on & on. Watch what ya get though as some stuff from them is just crap, but there are many worthy items. I recycle all my plastic dishes etc. that come with food products in them as well as any boxes. I'm talking cereal, KD, pop, beer, toliet paper rolls everything. Why pay money for a hide that you'll have to pull poop outta & wash, when ya can just throw it all away. The big thing is what you like to see. The snake don't care if its a $30 hide or an old KD box. Mark

[marisa]

Mark- You wouldn't BELIEVE the cardboard box collection I have in my closest. Literally all staked, waist high. Everything from cereal, pizza pop boxes, frozen dinners, Kraft Dinner boxes etc. Some people don't like cardboard boxes for hides, but when you can use them for a few weeks and then toss out, I don't see why not!

Marisa

[Katt]

Hahah, everytime you say KD Mark, I think of Yolk and his KD Kraft box!

[gonesnakee]

Katt - Ya the little bugger has tried to attack me every time I've dealt with him since burmation. Wait til he meets his GF "White Lightning" she'll tune him in as shes huge in comparison. As long as she don't try to eat him LOL. I know quit "hijacking the thread" LOL. I can't afford KD though I buy NoNameBrand LOL

I'm glad for my bigger snakes hides that my neighbours like to drink lots of beer. Heh Heh Mark

[Ducksarefun]

I bought silk plants from dollarama instead of buying pet store ones. MUCH cheaper, but they probably won't be sturdy for an adult gecko. (We're using them for baby cresteds)

[sleddergirl]

When I took over the store I'm at now, I redid all the reptile enclosures. Thankfully there is a Dollarama in the same plaza!!! Got lots of plants there and the same water dishes you're talking about Marisa. We also have quite the collection of cardboard boxes, but use them mostly for the small animals.

[SaIiLdVaEnR]

Hehe, Sue I need to stop by next time I am in Hammy!

Aidan

[Sean_.E.]

Dollarama has tons of stuff that you can use. I've bought some of the stuff that you guys have already posted. Another good buy, from Dollarama, are those small critter keepers. I've bought tons of them for insect feeders and transportating/holding (while their enclosures are being cleaned) small herps. I also use all that handy recycleable stuff, boxes, containers, etc., they all make awesome hides, especially for messy animals.

[sleddergirl]

Hey............they don't have critter keepers at the one I go to..........that sucks............

[sleddergirl]

Originally posted by SaIiLdVaEnR
Hehe, Sue I need to stop by next time I am in Hammy!

Aidan

No prob Aidan..............

[Cruciform]

I just picked up 3 spray bottles at dollarama.

Plus, with the screw-on paint rollers and the plastic broomstick style extensions you can make a decent snake hook for 2 bucks.

[marisa]

So I guess Dollarama gets this years "Herper's Best Buy" award? LOL

Marisa

[HeatherK]

Great idea for a thread.

Let's see.. well a lot of the substrates you can get cheaper - and less likely to harbor snake mites - at garden centres (I still use paper towels).

I get glazed terra cotta saucers for the water bowls and hides. They should be glazed to hold water, otherwise it all seeps out (not such a bad thing for amphibians however).. good to keep mealies, etc. from crawling out of, and better for cleaning. I actually just bought a large clay saucer at a crafts store for under $2. I took a hammer to the lip to make an entrance, and my corn loves it, she feels secure enough not to use the paper towel anymore to hide under during shedding and digestion. Before the saucer, I just used a paper towel tube cut in half. The hides in the stores are so high priced, and if you look at them, not very cozy!

Thought I'd also mention the reflector clamp lamps for overhead lighting/heating here in case anyone's interested. I used to think they could only be had at pet stores. Boy was I wrong Hardware stores have them (I got mine at Home Depot) for much cheaper. I'm thinking you could even get heat bulbs cheaper at the hardware store, haven't been so lucky to find the right kind yet.

Auskan mentioned wood, if you live near a beach you can even get driftwood in all sizes. I get rocks as well while I'm at it. Scrub, then boil them for 30 minutes or so. The smooth flat ones are good to use for basking areas. They sell both rocks and wood at the pet store here. I returned some fancy wood after realizing how crazy the price was, not worth it (it wasn't marked). Plastic plants are also expensive at the pet stores. Cheaper in the crafts stores. Get some suction cups (dollar store item!) to affix them to the sides of the tank and you're good to go