Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I tried posting in the Cage & Habitat Design forum, but there were no replies...I guess there was not enough "design" content!

Does anyone use these in an outdoor situation, and if so, how do they hold up over time? The manufacturer says they're made of UV-resistand plastic.

I am looking at getting their new small land turtle tub, buying the matching lid (which is more of just a snap-on lip to keep the turtles from climbing over the rim), fitting the lid with mesh to keep out racoons etc., and also constructing a stand out of PVC pipes and elbows to keep the tub off the ground so it doesn't ruin my grass.
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

Why not just build a pen outside? I would worry about a tub heating up too much, especially in summer. If you had a heavy rain you'd risk it filling up - could you imagine if that were to happen when you weren't home?

Ya, I have to agree. Seems like it would be easier and more secure to just build a pen rather than try to modify one of those thingies.
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0.1.0 ornate box turtle
1.0.0 eastern box turtle
1.0.0 Yellow belly slider
0.1.0 Red belly cooter
0.1.0 Australian shepard
1.11.0 chickens
1.0.0 Dutch(rabbit)
3.2.0 children (do I still count the married ones?)
1.0.0 husband

I also agree. Waterlands are good for indoor use, but can be problematic outdoors.

Your other question...
They hold up extremely well. They are about indestructible. About the only thing tougher would be the Rubbermaid cattle stock tanks. For the size, the stock tanks are cheaper. However, they don't come with the fancy schmancy water feature built in.

I don't use waterlands anymore. They are way too expensive for my taste. I prefer to buy the rubbermaid plastic storage boxes of appropriate size and just use a water dish. I've yet to have one deteriorate from UV (unless the light was sitting directly on the rim). At like $10, even replacing them every 5 years or so would be just fine with me.

Every time I go to the shows and see those Waterlands, I consider buying one (mostly for my indoor juvie semi-aquatics). They've come a very long way since the first models that I used. I can never get myself to drop the buckage, though. They are way too pricey, in my humble (and cheap) opinion. And, the prices will probably go up with petroleum.

Thanks for the inputs...I have also considered stock tanks which will probably be easier to source locally vs. paying shipping. The drainage-in-rainstorm problem remains, and I was planning on drilling holes around the perimeter whether I went with WaterLand or a cheaper option (at an appropriate height, ie above the substrate).

I've had homebuilt outdoor pens in the past; on ground level when I was growing up, and for the past 7 years, an above-ground job (on PVC "stilts" set in buckets to discourage fire ants!). However, with an upcoming move I'm most likely going to be back to renting vs. owning and I have to consider existing lawn preservation. I'll still plan on raising whatever I finally go with (WaterLand or Rubbermaid) to avoid lawn damage.

I use the clear/translucent Rubbermaid tubs for winter quarters indoors already; I might end up going with the opaque stock-tank type just for better appearance for an outdoor setup.
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

Please consider the shade/moisture issue when dealing with an above ground/stationary pen. It has to be big enough not to over heat and not dry out. Plus, I've found people are particularly nosey when they see something above ground-like a rabbit hutch or bird aviary. If you will be renting in town or not have a fenced in yard-you may want to be more discreet.

An indoor pen with a small daytime pen for sunbathing may be best if it's a short rental. Tess

>>Please consider the shade/moisture issue when dealing with an above ground/stationary pen.

What am I, new? The previous above-ground abode (7 years' inhabitation) had both. It looked more like a rabbit hutch but I had a lot of distance to the next houses...I think a Rubbermaid cattle tank will be OK as fare as discreet-ness goes.
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet