Plastic Tubs and UTH questions/pics...

[Heather M.]

I just bought two 41 qt. sterilite tubs for my '06 1.1 pair of reverse okeetees that will be here on Tuesday.

I was wondering if you guys could show pictures and/or explain approximately how many holes and what sized holes, etc.

Also, I have two ZooMed UTH for them but I'm getting mixed messages about them on plastic tubs. I've read that they're fine and won't melt plastic, then I've read that they're fine with a regulator, and then I've read that they're not okay.

What's the right answer?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Beothon Lover]

41qts for '06s? Enlse they're big i think thats a bit big i keep my '06s in 27qt steriltes but whatever those should work as long as you cram them full of hides and stuff.

as for holes..about a dozen or so on each side should work...the holes on my colubrid tubs are 3/16"

And to your UTH question yes you can use them on plastic aslong as they're low wattage and they a controlled with a thermostat or rheostat. I personaly keep 2 of my snakes in tubs with UTHs that are connected to a rheostat(other 6 are in a rack system) and they work great...never had problems with the UTH melting the plastic.

congrats on getting your new snakelets.


Beothon

 

[zwyatt]

Also, I have two ZooMed UTH for them but I'm getting mixed messages about them on plastic tubs. I've read that they're fine and won't melt plastic, then I've read that they're fine with a regulator, and then I've read that they're not okay.

What's the right answer?

There's probably no "right" answer because UTH's vary and tubs vary. However, most UTH's should be controlled with a rheostat or thermostat period, because many will get hot enough to burn a snake. Unless you know the max temperature of your UTH isn't enough to burn your snakes, you should use some sort of control. If they could melt a plastic tub, they could hurt your snake. I would stick with a rheo or thermostat.
If you haven't already, you could also mount the UTHs on a piece of tile or glass rather than attaching directly to the tubs. That makes it easier to move to another tank/tub in the future.

You could use a drill to make holes. That method works if you have only a few tubs to do. If you have access to a soldering iron, that's the easiest method for making holes, IMO. There's no science to figuring out how many holes is right. You can always make more if you don't have enough, but you can't easily fix holes you've already made. Remember the number of holes you make will affect the humidity. The fewer the ventilation holes, the more the moisture can build up inside. I can't remember off-hand what size holes I've used. Obviously, don't use anything big enough for a snake to squeeze out of...other than that, you can probably get away with about any size.

Good luck with them

 

[snakepunk]

Fix for too many holes

You could always some hot glue to fill up any excess holes. It also looks nicer if you make a stencil/pattern to mark where the holes will be.

 

[snakemom1961]

You could always some hot glue to fill up any excess holes. It also looks nicer if you make a stencil/pattern to mark where the holes will be.

Cool idea, I'm thinking of going to tubs with my babies when they are a bit bigger and that definately will be something I will think about. Thanks for the great idea!