Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've done some searching on this and other forums and couldn't find what I was looking for so here goes...

I am about to set up some new cages for a trio of Ackies and pair of Kimmies and wanted some feedback on the pros/cons of both Galvanized troughs (which I've used in the past with success) and the new plastic Rubbermaid troughs (which are wider at the top but slightly more thin near the bottom)

Rubbermaid Stock Tank http://www.drillspot.com/products/428418/Rubbermaid_4244_00_BLACK_Stock_Tank

Galvanized Stock Tank http://lawn-and-garden.hardwarestore.com/39-472-stock-tanks/galvanized-stock-tank-616176.aspx

The galvanized are tried and true, but I'm interested in the rubbermaid because of weight, height, and ability to add casters.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

Joe Baginski

The rubbermaid is definitely more expensive, I helped a friend make a cage which is now empty from one.
The steel galvanized trough can also have wheels added but it has more strength. You can assemble a frame of wood, add very high weight wheels (be sure you go as high as possible, never underestimate the weight of the dirt), then place the trough on it.
For the same price you could set up 2 steel cages.
Which ever one is more convenient to you, if you go the route of the casters, consider a frame under both. Im sure the rubbermaid is alot stronger than it seems, it also allows you to more easily drill and add screws to secure the top, which made that easier.
I bet my friend still has that old cage he set up from one of those with a painted plywood top (split in two halves and hinged)and lexan viewing windows, with metal handles. He used some extremely durable epoxy based paint the same color as the trough on the wood top. Suspended light assemblies from the top for both basking and a flourescent light on a timer.

The Galvanized are running $110 whereas the 150 gallon Rubbermaids are around $90. I think I'll go with the galvanized, but I still want to see what people think.

I really need to see some pics of people's set ups.

Joe

Here is a pic of my most recent enclosure. You can see the trough at the bottom of it. I had in the past ligned the bottom of my cages with aluminum but the moisture would always end up between the aluminum and the wood rotting out the cage wall. Hope this helps in some way. Ian

I like that cage, well thought out, and nicely built.
-----
Regards,
Wayne A. Harvey
------------------------------------------------------------>>>>>>>>>>
1.0.0 Ball Python - Python regius "Cain" Rescued from a crack house
0.1.9 Eastern MilkSnake WC "Carmella" adult super sweet temperment (Eggs all hatched!)
1.3.13 Storeria dekayi - Brown Snakes Casper, Xena, Athena, Copper, Sharon & Kids
0.1.0 Thamnophis cyrtopsis Easter Black Neck Garter "MoJo"
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2.2.0 Thamnophis Sirtalis - Florida Blue stripe Garter
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0.0.1 Thamnophis butleriButler's Garter Snake
0.0.4 Thamnophis proximus orariusCoastal Ribbons
0.0.7 Thamnophis sirtalis - Eastern Garter babies 7/11/08
0.0.7 Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis HET Anerythristic Scott Felzer stock.
0.1.0 Thamnophis sirtalis Eastern Snow "Snowflake"
0.0.1 Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis California Red Sided (R.I.P. little guy)
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0.0.1 Nerodia sipedon - Water Snake - "Aqua" adult WC Pink eater!
0.0.1 Amelanistic Corn Snake "CY" Sub-adult CB
1.0.0. Pueblan Milk snake "Oreo" adult CB
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0.2.0. Feline"Felix"(R.I.P. 4/27/08) "Kaja" & "Silver"
2.1.0. calico RATS
??.??.?? Mice - Feeder farm - Crickets / fish / Giant roaches
More herps than I could ever list out back on the land.

Some examples...

Rubbermaid Stock Tank, 300 gal
Price: $209.99

This is the one my friend used to make his cage, it is nowhere near as big as any of the following galvanized stock tanks at all.
This 300 gallon is about 4ft around, and about 2.5ft high, it does not have stright sides, so to measure would require multi levels each being measured then added up. This was around $300 when my friend bought it new.
These are steel galvanized stock tanks from the same store.

American Farmland Tank 3 x 2 x 8 ft Round
Galvanized steel
Price: $204.99

Galvanized Round Stock Tank, 8 ft. x 2 ft.
Price: $294.99

American Farmland Round Tank 8 x 2 ft Plastic
Price: $314.99
(notice the plastic is more expensive, even from a cheaper name brand)

Galvanized Round Stock Tank, 6 ft. x 2 ft.
Price: $204.99

Very large steel watering trough used for Horses etc...measures 2ft. x 8ft. and is 2ft. deep.
$75

A few years ago I looked at a 10ft by 34 inch by 43 inch galvanized steel stock tank for $92 new. I just didnt have any species that would benefit from this size and shape.

1) Please send or post pics of your setups or direct me to pages where they can be seen. I'm looking for how you guys set up tops and wheels mostly. But I always love seeing what people do with their setups.

2) The 150 Gallon Rubbermaid Stock tanks are running anywhere from $100-160 in my area (Seattle/Tacoma, WA) whereas the Galvanized of similar sizes are running a basically the same price. I am not using the round ones because they take up too much space for what I have to work with in my reptile room. I guess thats what I was talking about when I meant Rubbermaid Stock Tanks vs. Galvanized Tanks (long versions) not round ones.

I'm looking to do a basic Ackie/Kimmie cage. Tank, plexi top, retes stack, good soil (not sure I can get the granite stuff like Robyn at Pro Exotics), etc. In the past galvanized has workedworked great for me, but I was interested in seeing if people were using the Rubbermaids also.

Thanks in advance.

Joe

Cages.
You know just a few years ago the price of the steel tanks was alot lower, about 1/3rd of what the plastic are, I guess the price of materials from the demand in China is effecting that, along with the war I hope soon ends and our troops come home.
I make cages from plywood and FRP, but have helped friends use stock tanks to make cages. One has that big rubbermaid, its actually easier to make the top and attach it to the tank than with the steel tank. Both you can drill holes along the edge to attach the top with screws or bolts.
Cut a round piece of plywood to cover the top and have a few inches beyond all sides, Next cut that in thirds or even quarters, the center will be the anchor point for the outer 2 sides to hinge from.
Hinge the thirds or quarters together to make them into multi-side opening doors, but when latched all are solid.
You can cut these pieces to add plexiglas or lexan windows, and suspend adjustable height basking lights from the top.
Ill try to help you as much as I can, but I dont have any photos of those cages in my computer.
Wow, just a few years ago the steel troughs were from $45-$95 (not the round ones though, the 2x2x4, 2x2x6, 2x3x8, 2.5x3x10, etc).
Some people use entire sections of plexiglas to make tops, and mount lights on them.
Good luck.

Hey Joe, don't worry about DG soil that we have used, think about what YOU can get. The Northwest has some GREAT soil, naturally available, I wish I had access to some of it : )

Go with galvanized over plastic. The plastic scores easily, and gives feeder insects a footing to climb the less than vertical walls, getting all over the cage, then all over the house.

The rubbermaid tanks also have a smaller footprint, significantly, meaning less usable digging/laying space for your lizards.

Don't bank on the wheels either. We have tried that a couple of times. Within a few months of no movement, the wheels may get a flatspot on the wheel or bearing, making movement nearly impossible.

Even with brand new wheels, we had to unload half the dirt to be able to move it anyway, it is just too heavy.

Best of luck : )
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

here is a small pool

and a big cooler for ackies

another one