Heating a Rubbermaid/Sterilite

[MoreliAddict]

Originally Posted by Relentless

I've come to the terms that I need to heat the room. I'd like to use a rubbermaid to help with humidity and I just think it's an overall better setup. iBaman, do you heat the room that your herps are in? What's your setup like for Pajamas and how do you handle humidity in the glass tank?

PVC enclosure, heated by an RHP, controlled by a thermostat.

If the RHP is strong enough, the enclosure will hold whatever temps you want, despite the temps of the room.

The initial cost for this setup is pricey (despite the fact that if you can't afford this, you can't afford vet bills, but that's another discussion), but in the long run, it's much more efficient than heating an entire room for a single snake.

I know that I recommended this to you before, sorry if I'm getting repetitive, but I don't see why this setup does not work for you..

A snake is a long term investment, do you really want to work with a jerry rigged fish tank for 10-20 years?

[jarich]

Originally Posted by MoreliAddict

PVC enclosure, heated by an RHP, controlled by a thermostat.


I know that I recommended this to you before, sorry if I'm getting repetitive, but I don't see why this setup does not work for you..

A snake is a long term investment, do you really want to work with a jerry rigged fish tank for 10-20 years?

I guess I just dont understand why everyone slags off tanks all the time, when its just the screen lid that is the problem. That is such an easy fix, replace it with plywood and your done! I mean, whether you choose plastic tub, wood enclosure or glass tank, all you are talking about is a box you add stuff to and then put a lid on. If you put a screen top on a plastic tub it would be the same problem, as would a screen top on a wood box. The set up is the same for each pretty much. Maybe Ill take out two myths with one picture Here is Zoe finishing off a rat in her very easily converted 90 gallon tank (with thriving live plant).

[MoreliAddict]

Originally Posted by jarich

I guess I just dont understand why everyone slags off tanks all the time, when its just the screen lid that is the problem. That is such an easy fix, replace it with plywood and your done! I mean, whether you choose plastic tub, wood enclosure or glass tank, all you are talking about is a box you add stuff to and then put a lid on. If you put a screen top on a plastic tub it would be the same problem, as would a screen top on a wood box. The set up is the same for each pretty much. Maybe Ill take out two myths with one picture Here is Zoe finishing off a rat in her very easily converted 90 gallon tank (with thriving live plant).

My qualms with tanks goes wayyyyy beyond screens and lids.

I love radiant heat panels for heating enclosures, as they can provide a ton of heat, and do not kill humidity. - I don't see how you'd fit a RHP into a fish tank??

I like front opening cages. It's easier to pull snakes out, and do routine maintenance with a front-opening cage. Also, bitey snakes are more likely to see you as a threat if you approach them from above.

Also PVC cages only have visibility through the front window, proving alot of extra security for your snake.

PVC also holds heat and humidity very well.

You can drill holes into PVC, put thermostat probes where ever you want.

You can use a drill to add perches in PVC cages.

Fish tanks are also very heavy, PVC is nice and light.

And, fact is, you always have to jerry-rig fish tanks if you want them to hold heat and humidity well.

You can also stack PVC cages, so they're more space efficient.

They display and look better too. lol

[jarich]

I love radiant heat panels for heating enclosures, as they can provide a ton of heat, and do not kill humidity. - I don't see how you'd fit a RHP into a fish tank??

Mount it on the bottom of the wood top, just like you would any other enclosure

I like front opening cages. It's easier to pull snakes out, and do routine maintenance with a front-opening cage. Also, bitey snakes are more likely to see you as a threat if you approach them from above.

Plastic tubs arent front opening are they?

Also PVC cages only have visibility through the front window, proving alot of extra security for your snake.

Never had an issue with it

PVC also holds heat and humidity very well.

Not nearly as well as glass!

You can drill holes into PVC, put thermostat probes where ever you want.

I use infrared, so havent had a problem, but the same could be said for the wooden lid

You can use a drill to add perches in PVC cages.

Ya got me there!

Fish tanks are also very heavy, PVC is nice and light.

True, though I dont move my tanks often

And, fact is, you always have to jerry-rig fish tanks if you want them to hold heat and humidity well.

Again, as you can see, all I did was cut a piece of plywood to fit the top. Not much effort or jerry rigging at all.

You can also stack PVC cages, so they're more space efficient.

You might notice that tank on top of this one...

They display and look better too. lol

There our opinions differ I guess! I do think we should add that most people already have a tank that come on to this forum. So fixing something you already have quickly and easily is much simpler.

But Im sorry to the OP, I didnt mean to take over the thread here. Danimals ideas seem like a good call. Or you could also just get a small blower type heater for when you want to take them out. Heat up the room for a half hour before you want to remove them and your room should be warm enough to forego any problem in temperature differences

[MoreliAddict]

my responses to your questions/statements are in red:

I love radiant heat panels for heating enclosures, as they can provide a ton of heat, and do not kill humidity. - I don't see how you'd fit a RHP into a fish tank??

Mount it on the bottom of the wood top, just like you would any other enclosure
Sounds like a pain to open and close (a lid with an rhp and wires attached to it) - this is what I mean by a "jerry-rigged" setup. Why make things a hassle?

Also, you're losing all of your heat every time you open the enclosure...

I like front opening cages. It's easier to pull snakes out, and do routine maintenance with a front-opening cage. Also, bitey snakes are more likely to see you as a threat if you approach them from above.

Plastic tubs arent front opening are they?
I'm talking about an enclsoure, with a hindged door, built out of PVC. NOT a tub.

Also PVC cages only have visibility through the front window, proving alot of extra security for your snake.

Never had an issue with it
Snakes that aren't used to traffic, and get frightened easily, certainly do.

PVC also holds heat and humidity very well.

Not nearly as well as glass!
Right, but you can't keep a snake in a solid box of glass on all sides...
You can drill holes into PVC, put thermostat probes where ever you want.

I use infrared, so havent had a problem, but the same could be said for the wooden lid

You can use a drill to add perches in PVC cages.

Ya got me there!

Fish tanks are also very heavy, PVC is nice and light.

True, though I dont move my tanks often

And, fact is, you always have to jerry-rig fish tanks if you want them to hold heat and humidity well.

Again, as you can see, all I did was cut a piece of plywood to fit the top. Not much effort or jerry rigging at all.

You can also stack PVC cages, so they're more space efficient.

You might notice that tank on top of this one...

Are they stacked directly on top of each other? If so, how do you open the bottom one?

They display and look better too. lol

There our opinions differ I guess! I do think we should add that most people already have a tank that come on to this forum. So fixing something you already have quickly and easily is much simpler.

I'm not talking about simplest, or easiest, or cheapest. I'm simply debating what's BEST...