Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am looking for a soloution for a problem I am having with spilled water bowls. I have been using plastic crock bowls made by van ness in my 32 quart racks that are obviously too light weight. Within a day my snakes will move them all over and either spill them totally or enough to make a mess that warrants cleaning. I have thought about using deli cups and making concrete forms for them to rest in. Before I do this I am wondering if anyone has any input that might help? I have looked into the freedom breeder hide boxxes that have the delicup holder molded into the hide, but I dont like the entrance to the hide being in the top of the box. What is everyone else using, surely I am not the only person who has had to deal with this? Any input will be appreciated!

Thanks
Chris

My CB-70 rack has molded deli cup holders so that solves the solution for that.

My 85 series ARS rack I use Medium Van Ness crocks and my 4' AP cages I use XL Van Ness crocks.

Even my Juvi's use small crocks...yes made by Van Ness.

I found that placing a bowl in the cage that is heavier than the animal solves most problems. When that is not possible using a smaller bowl so the animal won't try and get in it...solves the problem.

I've only had a few spilled bowls since I started using them.

Other suggestions are ceramic crocks. There are a few that are harder to tip over and the additional weight makes it that much harder.

As well as adding thermal mass to the enclosure.

Good Luck
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Jeremy Payne
JB Reptile

1.0 Snow "Kahl"
0.2 Triple Het Moonglow "Kahl"
0.1 Orange Tail Hypo Het Leopard
0.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow
1.0 Ghost
0.1 Possible Super Hypo
0.1 DH Ghost
1.1 "Kahl" Albino
1.0 Hypomelenistic
1.3 Pastel Hypo
0.1 Suriname/Columbian cross
0.1 Anerthrystic

1.1 Morelia Clastolepis

I use heavy ceramic crock bowls in the proper size for each snake and they work great. I get very few tipped bowls even with my large bloods and retics. Bill.
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...three years ago it was just another snake cult...
The Retic is King.
Anacondas-the other Dark Side.
Afrocks-the dark side of the Dark Side.

A few suggest ons -- Turn the heat down. Make sure no mites. Use substrate that gives, not allowing purchase for leverage. Move snakes to larger containers for same reason. Use larger water bowls (Van Ness) for greater stability. Feed larger prey items.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

This reminds me... I often see people using light brown bowls (look like ceramic) with blue insides... Lots of different sizes... Does anyone know who manufactures those? That would seem like a good solution for the OP, they always look good and sturdy.

I see them in collections but not for sale anywhere... what gives? I used to have one about 15 years ago for a garter snake.

Ethical Stoneware Dish
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Jeremy Payne
JB Reptile

1.0 Snow "Kahl"
0.2 Triple Het Moonglow "Kahl"
0.1 Orange Tail Hypo Het Leopard
0.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow
1.0 Ghost
0.1 Possible Super Hypo
0.1 DH Ghost
1.1 "Kahl" Albino
1.0 Hypomelenistic
1.3 Pastel Hypo
0.1 Suriname/Columbian cross
0.1 Anerthrystic

1.1 Morelia Clastolepis

Thats the one! Thanks!

Actually the Van Ness dishes fit perfectly into the ceramic bowls. I have a big collection so I have two sets of Van Ness dishes so all I have to do to change water out is pull the Van Ness dish and put the new dish in! And this totally eliminates spills! Just a tip from someone who has been at this a little while! It the simple things that make collections run smoothly!!!!

Al Brown/Brown's Boas

Thanks for the info guys. I think I will try the ceramic crocks. My 32's with boas in them dont seem to have as many issues as my colubrid rack, but its still at times as much of a problem. I rarely am away for more than one day from my collection so its not a really big deal. In the event I am gone for longer it would be nice to not have to worry as much.

Thanks again
Chris

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AMAZON REPTILE CENTER

Problem Solved....I use stainless bird cage bowls in all my cages never a spill or a tip they cant...
drill one hole wing-nut and clamp many sizes...

http://www.yourpetsandmore.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_29&products_id=145

sorry could not find better link at the time