Heating a Rubbermaid/Sterilite

Relentless · 11-09-12, 04:25 PM

Ok, so I really would prefer to use a tub (whether a Rub or Sterilite, doesn't particularly matter) for the new baby. However, I need to use supplemental lighting due to my house being on the cold side and without the option to heat the entire room more. I have a CHE right now and can keep a proper temperature in a 20 gallon tank with it. Yes, I know tanks are for fish.

Using the CHE on a tub though scares me a little. Does anyone here have a rubbermaid setup with a CHE? How do you do it? The only way I see it working is on a screen top but if you use a screen top don't a lot of the benefits of using a rubbermaid kind of go out the door? Along with the heat and humidity....bahahaahaha.

Kingsnakechris · 11-09-12, 04:45 PM

I use UTH's with a thermostat connected. No issues at all and its fairly simple to set up

Relentless · 11-09-12, 09:22 PM

From what I understand though, UTH's do not do much for the ambient temperature. Like I said, my house is cool and not the sufficient temperature for the cool side of an enclosure. :/

marvelfreak · 11-11-12, 06:49 PM

With a thermostat you can turn it up to help warm the tote up more. Also you can get different sizes the bigger the UTH more watts = more heat.

iBaman · 11-11-12, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relentless

Ok, so I really would prefer to use a tub (whether a Rub or Sterilite, doesn't particularly matter) for the new baby. However, I need to use supplemental lighting due to my house being on the cold side and without the option to heat the entire room more. I have a CHE right now and can keep a proper temperature in a 20 gallon tank with it. Yes, I know tanks are for fish.

Using the CHE on a tub though scares me a little. Does anyone here have a rubbermaid setup with a CHE? How do you do it? The only way I see it working is on a screen top but if you use a screen top don't a lot of the benefits of using a rubbermaid kind of go out the door? Along with the heat and humidity....bahahaahaha.

I know the feeling...i just got my butt chewed on a retic forum for using a 55 gallon temp home...I face palmed. It's a lot of work, but it CAN work.

Relentless · 11-12-12, 10:50 AM

Thank you guys for the help. iBaman, Retic Nation facebook group? I think I saw your post of Pajamas in his "temp" home which looked to be a fish tank with cardboard around it?

Personally, fish tanks don't do a bad job and as long as the animal's needs are being met properly, then who cares? We know you take good care of him. It's when the animal suffers that a problem arises.

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?

MoreliAddict · 11-12-12, 11:00 AM

Quote:

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?

Relentless · 11-12-12, 11:46 AM

Not repetitive at all MoreliAddict.

Price is not the problem. It's the fact that even if the enclosure is heated properly, if the surrounding air is cool, then whatever air circulates into the enclosure will be the equivalent of a cold draft, or so it appears to me. Or when I handle the animal, it will come from an enclosure that is 80 degrees on the cool side to a room that is only 65 degrees. Wouldn't this be an issue? I do see why heating an entire room for one snake can be silly but obviously I have the animal's best interest in mind.

I've never only had one snake, so this is why I'm running into concerns. I over think everything, so please forgive me if I appear to be asking the same question more than once. You guys are extremely helpful.

Oh and no the fish tank is nowhere near permanent. But we're talking about a temporary home for a baby retic here. The enclosure will be changed probably 2-3 times before an adult enclosure is feasible due to their growth rate. I just don't feel comfortable putting a baby in a 4x2 enclosure by any means.

MoreliAddict · 11-12-12, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relentless

It's the fact that even if the enclosure is heated properly, if the surrounding air is cool, then whatever air circulates into the enclosure will be the equivalent of a cold draft, or so it appears to me.

This is actually a good point, and I cannot answer this with certainty.

But as I've stated I keep my snakes in the setup I'm describing (PVC heated by RHP), in a room that usually sits above 70, but reaches low 60s at night, my snakes have had NO problems or health issues. Both of my snakes spend time in the hot end, and cool end. (I've also learned to adjust heat based on the individual snake too, not just the species)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relentless

Or when I handle the animal, it will come from an enclosure that is 80 degrees on the cool side to a room that is only 65 degrees.

As stated, my room is usually in the low 70s during the day, and I see nothing wrong with pulling a snake out from their warm enclosure into a cooler room (which is at least in the mid 60s), for a brief period of time.. Think about snake expos, before taking a snake home, I always ask the breeder, "is it okay if this snake won't get heat until I'm home several hours later?", I am always told that this is fine.

I don't handle my snakes too often, as I know what they feel like, and they like it in their enclosure. But of course it's fun (and hard not to) handle them every so often, even if it's just for pictures. I keep my handling sessions around 10-15 minutes long, then it's right back in the enclosure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relentless

I've never only had one snake, so this is why I'm running into concerns. I over think everything, so please forgive me if I appear to be asking the same question more than once. You guys are extremely helpful.

Thank YOU for doing the research before buying one of these awesome animals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relentless

But we're talking about a temporary home for a baby retic here. The enclosure will be changed probably 2-3 times before an adult enclosure is feasible due to their growth rate. I just don't feel comfortable putting a baby in a 4x2 enclosure by any means.

Now I understand, that makes sense.

I think Retics are awesome, though I have never had the pleasure of keeping one. Post pics when you get it, and keep us updated!

jarich · 11-12-12, 01:55 PM

Quote:

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).

**lady_bug87** · 11-12-12, 02:18 PM

Jay I love this idea and will be using it on my larger screen tops since I plan on getting rid of the smaller 2

Danimal · 11-12-12, 02:19 PM

Have you thought about creating a smaller area to heat (ambient temps) so you can use your tub? I have a few tubs that sit at room temp most of the year. But, because it's not practical to heat my entire house for those 8 tubs I make a smaller area and heat that with a light bulb in the coldest months. I have 18" utility racks in my office, I just take one of the shelves (the higher, the easier to heat) and enclose it. You'll have to let your circumstance dictate the material. I use heavy plastic sheeting, you may need to use something more insulated like a foam insulation sheet or radiant heat barrier cut to fit. Then just hang your CHE somewhere in there. Just experiment until you get the results you are looking for.

MoreliAddict · 11-12-12, 02:20 PM

Quote:

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 · 11-12-12, 02:32 PM

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

Danimal · 11-12-12, 02:46 PM

I use tanks as well but unless Relentless wishes to discuss tanks in her thread, I would ask respectfully that we stay on topic and try to help her solve her problem. We can debate tanks in another thread, please.