Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is probably a stupid question, but, I got a rack from reptile basics and the tubs don't have holes drilled in them. Is it necessary to put holes in them or would the snakes be fine without them?

Drilling holes does a couple things in which i have found out in the past month, since i just got my first rack system. first it cuts down on the humidity that is built up in the tub. although some snakes need this others dont know your snakes.
second it helps the ventilation in the tub, i put my holes on the cool end of the tubs so the thermal grad is better now then with no holes.

n/p

if you do decide to put holes in the tubs, i used to use a regular drill and it took FOREVER. i went out and bought a little 20 $ sodering iron- its super hot and just melts the plastic and you can make any size hole you want, just keep a piece of wood handy to wipe off the melted plastic. it works GREAT and i will never use a drill again! well worth the 20 bucks.
beth
p.s.- i put holes in my tubs. little bity ones on the hot end and bigger ones one the cool end b/c it does help with the temp gradient.
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

Just make sure you do it outside, or at least where there is great ventilation. I bought a wood burner from the arts/crafts section of Wal*Mart for about $10

Before that, when I would drill into plastic, WHAT A PAIN! With the woodburner or soldering iron it is SO easy & quick.

I went a sped further in putting holes and saving money. Got a candle and an old nail. Heated the nail up and melted holes with the nail. lol Recommed that if you are goin to do this, make sure you are in a non-flammable area. And don't tough the nail. Used plyers to hold the nail and peice of woodto push the nail in.
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1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Rex- "normal" orange fire)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Glutany- German Giant Mix)
0.1.0 Okeetee Corn (Okatee)
0.1.0 Spotted Python (Shoelace)
0.2.0 Dwarf Hamsters (Tipsy and Bubblegum)
0.0.1 Rose Hair Tarantula (Goopy)
1.0.0 Boyfriend (Brian)

really its hard to believe that everyones had problems drilling holes i put about 15 holes in each of my 6tubs and it took me about 8mins.. maybe you all had your drills in reverse..lol just joking. but honestly it didnt take log at all, just alittle messy.

How do you like the rack? I was thinking about getting some in a few months. Hes right down the road from me so I wouldnt have to pay shipping on them. Thanks,

ep
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Occupants not paying rent:
1.1. balls
1.1 corns
1 everglades rat
1 w. hognose
1 bearded dragon
2.1 cats

Seems like a good rack so far, i've only had it about a week, and after i drill the holes i don't think i'll have any problems with it.

go to home depot and buy a Unibit. it is a tapered drill,about $17. expensive but makes clean holes at whatever size you need and no worries about fumes from melting plastic. i used to use a soldering iron,but i like this a lot better. good luck.Rin

I used a good sharp drill bit and go slow so the plastic doesn’t crack. The soldering iron makes long strings like cob web and usually leaves a little bur where you break off the web. Then it always snags paper towel pieces and bedding chips, etc. The drill makes a real smooth hole, but if none of that matters, the soldering iron is a lot quicker, I think. It always makes that distorted ring around the hole. It also might depend if you are doing the gummy rubbermaid type or the real hard clear plastic type boxes. I always used the rubbermaid type.

Is by far the easiest and safest way to make holes in tubs! It's a drill bit shaped like a cone allowing you to make several different sized holes of your choosing. All holes are neatly edged and no cracking containers and endangering yourself with toxic fumes and stringy mess. Well worth the cost!
Bob.