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Plastic Tubs and Heat Pads

K

krazykarl777

New member
Hey everybody! I'm preparing to get my very first snake (well, first one that didn't come out of the yard anyways...), and i've decided on the Corn Snake.

I've been reading up on them for about a week or so; trying to figure out what all I need, and I purchased a few basic items today at my local pet store like Reptile-Friendly carpeting, and a "Repti-Therm" Heat Pad.

Anyways, I've been planning to use a 25 gal. Rubbermaid style transluscent tub as my first viv... I didn't notice until I got home from the pet store that the Heat Pad packaging says not to use on plastic... Is it just reffering to those small, cheap plastic terrariums?

What do you guys think? I can post pics, but the plastic on this tub i have is really pretty thick and i can't think of a reason it couldn't handle 75-85 temps easily... Do any of you use plastic tubs?

Thanks a lot for any input, and count on getting at least 1,000 more questions from me in the next couple weeks. :D

Take it easy... -Karl R.
 
They aren't designed to be used with plastic tubs

Those stick on heat pads are designed for Glass tanks. The pad itself get much hotter than 80F, approaching temps at or above 110F. If you want to use a tub you need too take some steps to mitigate this potential threat.

1) Don't stick the pad directly to the tub, instead you can attach it to a ceramic tile which is placed under the warm end of the enclosure. The tub must be elevated above the heat pad in order to allow air to circulate underneath. This will help prevent overheating.

2) Make sure you have an accurate thermometer to track temperatures

You can use the forum's search function to find more information on heating alternatives.
 
The other thing you need to be concerned about using the rubbermaid tubs is the snake escaping. A hatchling corn snake can easily wriggle it's way under the rim of the lid and escape from these types of containers. I have tried many things, but there is really no good way to make these escape proof. If your container has a completly flat rim, you could make a solid flat lid, like from a piece of plywood, and fasten it to the rim with some kind of clamps. There is almost nothing as discouraging as having your first snake escape on you.

Mark
 
krazykarl777 said:
I purchased a few basic items today at my local pet store like Reptile-Friendly carpeting
Click to expand...

I would take this stuff back before you take it out of the package...
It is a bacteria farm waiting to happen...

I use aspen shavings...they are clean, clump when soiled...have no odor...and you dump them out and throw them away when you clean out the enclosure...
You could even use newspaper...

CAV gave you the best advice for using a UTH with the plastic tub...

You came to the right place...there are some very VERY knowledgable people here that can give you very good advice...and the suggestion to use the search function is a good one...many questions have already been asked(if you can think of it...no matter HOW STRANGE...it has probably been asked)...some of them more than once in a day...LOL...and it is easier to look it up than start a new thread and wait for the feedback to roll in...
 
About a week ago, I was in the same boat...wondering how I could attach my heat pad (also a Repti-therm) and have it not get too hot. You could do what someone suggested to me and get a heat-resistant ceramic tile from Home Depot or somewhere and attach the heat pad to that. Then all you have to do is prop the viv up on something so the height off of the pad varies how much heat you have getting to the surface. I did this on Friday night and my temps are good to go now, so it definately works.

This might be the way to go for you for a couple of reasons:
1) you're using a plastic container, and if you want to keep using it you may have to forget about the reptitherm heater since it's made for glass.

2) If you're going to upgrade to a different or bigger viv later on, mounting the heater on a tile will make it "portable" so you won't have to buy a new one when you get a new viv. The other option is to try to un-stick the heater from the viv and move it to a different one. This is hard to do and can damage the pad (it'll also void the warranty if I remember right).

3) If you're putting your viv on a solid surface, you're going to have to lift it up anyway because sandwiching the heater between the viv and the solid surface is a fire hazard, so you might as well use the lifting to regulate heat. Another option here is a thermostat or dimmer control, but I have no experience working with that so I can't give any advice on it.


But you should really look at something other than a plastic rubbermaid container because, like other people have said, that's an invitation for your snake to escape. I'm using a 10g aquarium for the time being, and I built a lid out of plywood and covered it with screen, so it fits tightly on the top (and gets rid of the little ledge where babies like to hide and can use to get out). I'm holding it in place even further by using nylon utility straps.

Most of these ideas came from people on this forum, so it's a great resource...use that to your advantage, and good luck!



Edit: I must've missed Cav's post or something, but I guess getting the same advice twice is better than not getting any at all, right? lol :dunce:
 
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Trouble with tubs?

I've got to say over the years, I've never lost a corn from a Sterilite with a lid. A few binder clips will render even the most determined corn "trapped". :)
 
bah, i was afraid thats what you guys were going to say... thanks for all the great advice though, guys!

Hmm, i guess it would probably be smarter to just wait a bit and try to find a decently priced glass tank... I guess i could always use the tub for feeding, right?

I'm kind of dissapointed to hear that about the carpeting, Alias... Especially since i already opened the damn package, heh... I guess i'll go for the aspen shavings- i just kind of liked the idea of being able to use and re-use the same substrate over and over.

Can anybody point me in the right direction for a cheap glass tank? I'll probably just hit up some pawn shops or something, and see if i can find any good deals...

Thanks again guys...
 
I have found some GREAT deals on tanks on eBay...and you can sort a search by distance from your location...most tanks will be non-shippable...or very expensive TO ship...

Also check local pet stores and aquariums for used tanks for sale...
Or any local reptile shows usually have them as well...
 
indeed

The Petsmart around me sells 10 gal for $5 if they have a small crack in them or they leak. But since you won't be filling it with water you can use it! Don't know if you have one around you, but if you do look into it. Maybe even one at a local non-Petsmart store.
 
The Wal-Mart here in town sells 10gal tanks for about $10. That's what I'm using now. My corn is about 16.5" and will probably last about another 9-10months in there.
 
DdotSpot said:
The Wal-Mart here in town sells 10gal tanks for about $10. That's what I'm using now. My corn is about 16.5" and will probably last about another 9-10months in there.
Click to expand...

Woah, sounds good to me... I kinda cruised through the pet section at my local walmart a while back and all i really saw were those tiny fish bowls. I'll definitely check that out again tomorrow. Great looking snake, btw- Ddot.
 
thanks! she is sleeping in my hand at the moment. make sure you get a GOOD lid for the top of your viv and get some clamps to hold it tight(you can find these at most all pet stores) This is what I use, works great!

Daniel
 
hah, alright... I've read plenty about corn snakes and their escape-mischief, so i'll be sure to "corn-ify" whatever viv i end up with.
 
i myself work for a pet store, the most expencive part of a 10 gal. setup is actually the LID. i paid about $10 for my 10 gal. and about 25 for the lid.
 
DdotSpot said:
The Wal-Mart here in town sells 10gal tanks for about $10. That's what I'm using now. My corn is about 16.5" and will probably last about another 9-10months in there.
Click to expand...

Speaking of Walmart...Last weekend was the first time I actually went in there to look at sterilite containers...Boy, I can't wait to build my rack system. If I had the money to spend, I would just buy one online. :D
 
luvofthechase said:
i myself work for a pet store, the most expencive part of a 10 gal. setup is actually the LID. i paid about $10 for my 10 gal. and about 25 for the lid.
Click to expand...

i bought the Wally world 10 dollar special, and made my own plexi-glass lid for about 6 bucks, (assuming you have the 80 dollar dremel set already, heh)... Works great. I'll have to post some pics soon.

Btw- My very first corn snake came home with me yesterday! 5 month old Okeetee male... I tried to pick the most active or maybe even "aggressive" one the store had... more interesting that way! He seems pretty cool. I only held him for about 15-20 minutes when i got home (damn, that little guy can glide!), and let him go in the viv. He spent about an hour looking over every inch of the thing and went in to the bigger hide. i'll probably let him calm down in his viv for a couple days before i take him out again and try to feed him. Can't wait! :dgrin:
 
howiet4702 said:
Speaking of Walmart...Last weekend was the first time I actually went in there to look at sterilite containers...Boy, I can't wait to build my rack system. If I had the money to spend, I would just buy one online. :D
Click to expand...


Howie, do you have a Sams where you are?? I went in two weeks ago and saw a really nice metal shelf system on wheels. About 6 1/2'h x 5'w. Very heavy duty, only $59!!!!! When I give my son his "wings" a few of those are going in his room. The shelves were about 18" wide and probably 14" apart, I believe there were 6 altogether. The back was open, but you could get your flexwatt in place and then pop rivet something on it if you wanted. I thought it was a good deal. ;)
 
krazykarl777 said:
bah, i was afraid thats what you guys were going to say... thanks for all the great advice though, guys!

Hmm, i guess it would probably be smarter to just wait a bit and try to find a decently priced glass tank... I guess i could always use the tub for feeding, right?

I'm kind of dissapointed to hear that about the carpeting, Alias... Especially since i already opened the damn package, heh... I guess i'll go for the aspen shavings- i just kind of liked the idea of being able to use and re-use the same substrate over and over.

Can anybody point me in the right direction for a cheap glass tank? I'll probably just hit up some pawn shops or something, and see if i can find any good deals...

Thanks again guys...
Click to expand...


I have gotten quite a few of mine at thrift stores.
 
o_O

Forgot what I was reading..Wow. Anyways..I'll just say what I was thinking...If you get a rubbermaid...I'd suggest not getting a reptile heating pad..I'd use one for the humans. And get some cheap thermometer at Wal-Mart. Because the repti ones are so false. You could be burning or freezing your snake..AND NOT EVEN KNOW IT. O_O! So the human heating pads work great. And use some clamps..x_X

Or you could get some screens stuff. And sorta just glue it to the top of your rubbermaid, after cutting a hole the size of your heat lamp. And that'd make a perfect place for your heat lamp. And it'd keep the humidity in.

Hope I helped...I was too lazy to read the rest of the posts and stuff...So if anyone said this..nevermind.>>
 
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