Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Like I said in the previous post I am getting these ne guys in in a couple weeks and I am gonna use sterilite sweater boxes for them. I was just wandering what is the best place to drill them out for air? Also what size holes should I drill? and is there anything else I should know about them before I start to use them?????
-----
My inside problems only effect the outside world....And I am ok with that.

Higher up on the sides, at least mid-height. Any lower and you will have substrate particles, and even grosser - feces, come out of the holes (yuck!).

A Dremel tool can really get you cruising on some holes, once you get the hang of it. I can usually get 2-3 holes per second when I get on a cage-making rampage. Good luck!

DR
Suboc.com

With a regular (3/8) drill, I've had the problem with cracking on occasion, but not with a Dremel and the small (1/16", I think) bit that comes with the rotary tool kit. Of course, there's always the possibility of accidental burn when melting holes, and I hate the smell and "strings" of melted plastic that stick around after. For my own part, I found it messy and awkward.

And I've never had the problem with snakes hurting themselves on holes. The newborns can't even get their snouts into these, even if they really wanted to. Just my experience...I try not to be afraid of trying something different, whatever the perceived "preferred method" may be. But of course, everyone has their own favorite way, this just happens to be mine.

As you can see in the photo, the holes are really smooth. I actually went a little over-the-top on these tubs and really tried to err on the side super-ventilated. This "pegboard" look is great for Desert Ratsnakes, but I'd go with less holes and more towards the top on a corn, especially if you live in a dry climate like me. If you live in a humid climate, go with more holes. And if put a humidity box in your tubs (not matter where you live), go ahead and drill the heck out of 'em!

DR

Suboc.com

Actually, melting small holes in the container with a "soldering gun" is the best way. It doesn't make a mess like drilling does, plus it also makes the holes smooth so it doesn't allow the snakes to rub against the edge and hurt themselves if they force their snouts into the holes as snakes many times do.

One word of caution,.....use a VERY small soldering tip(some use a small nail that is heated) that is no bigger than 1/8 of an inch. This is the preferred method of making holes in containers by the majority of herpetoculturists, me included.

~Doug
-----
"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Could someone maybe post a pic of the holes they drilled for me. I would appreciate it very much as i want to make sure I get it right and not ruin a tub or worse hurt my new snakes.
-----
My inside problems only effect the outside world....And I am ok with that.

With drilling you are likely to crack a plastic tub, especially larger holes for tubs for adult snakes ONLY! You will cuss when you crack a tub on hole 38 out of 40.

I have 2 soldering irons around here somewhere. 1 the cheapest smallest from radio shake. It creates at best a 1/8" hole. I use the slightly larger one to make slightly larger holes. This is using the tip ONLY on melting of the holes. These are my small snake tubs.

My adult snakes I go back to my small soldering iron and melt through with the tip and keep going pushing the body of the iron through too. This creates a hole about 5/16". With that said, I have no idea of the irons you may buy. Practice on something and look at the holes compared to the snakes. Small snakes, stay small, as they can surprise you. Larger snakes are easier to tell to me.

If I could get up right now to take pictures for you I would. But here is a picture of a soldering iron. I'm not trying to be a smart arse, but a soldering gun looks like a pistol grip gun and has two contacts for different elements, I did not want you to buy the wrong tool. Again, price on some scrap plastic. Your good when you can make a hole and knock off the plastic ring it creates to make the hole look like it was drilled. CAREFUL, it's hot.

Have fun!

-----
Thanks for reading.
Big Tom

www.HerpZillA.com

amen,brother!nothing ruins being able to see whats in the tub quite like the duct tape holding it together until you get another one!
-----
0.1 cb spotted turtle (parker)
0.0.6 wc baby stinkpots
0.0.1 cb peninsula cooter (gizmo)
0.0.1 wc yellow belly slider (snaps)
1.0 cb albino corn(rusty)
1.0 cb albino lucy texas rat(frost)(pink eyes,all white)
0.0.2 wc halloween crabs
0.2 irritating cats (sassy & miley)
2.0 cb children (sidney,12 & kaelan,4)
0.1 wc wife (danae,age withheld due to fears for personal safety)

Soldering Iron isnt a proplem. I have a few different sizes as I am also an electronics guy by day. I am more so worried about the amount of holes and placement of them. I am putting the little ones in 10 gallon aquariums but I am puting the adults in the sterilite boxes. Oh and tom dont worry I wasnt offended by the soldering iron pic. I know you are just giving info to help so I would never take offense to someone trying to help.
-----
My inside problems only effect the outside world....And I am ok with that.

Thank you, I'm use to people having no idea.

As far as the number of holes, I guess lol. Depending on how your house it with temps and humidity, add in species of snake, add in size of water dish affecting humidity, I guess!. My hognose had more holes than my corns, but I also like to have them in aquariums more.

It's a lot like asking what size light do I need to heat my aquarium. Lots of variables. More is safer as long as temps are good, I would say in general.

As far as placement, I don't know. I smoke test would be fun to do. Like a smoke stick for drafts in a house, watch various tubs with holes sitting on a rack and see how the smoke is effected. But again, rack design and tub size etc would all play a major part.

Good luck.
-----
Thanks for reading.
Big Tom

www.HerpZillA.com

I use a center drill. After messing with the soldering irons and breathing enough noxious fumes, I picked up a center drill from a machinist and have not cracked a box yet.

Go to the hardware store and buy the size range of a multibit that you need. It is cone shaped and has about 8 ranges in sizes on one bit. Not cheap but very sharp and I use it to cut rubbermades and even old style hard plastic shoe and swearter boxes. Does great.