Reptile & Amphibian Forums

so you can show the price difference to the "non-believers".

Sterilite/plastic tubs are much cheaper than a standard aquarium setup:

10 gallon tank - $8.00 @ Wal-Mart
Screen lid - $11.00 @ local pet store
Clips (secure screen lid) - $5.00 @ local pet store.
UTH (Human Heat pad) - $10.00 @ Wal-Mart
Total cost - $34.00

Now a 20 gallon long:

20 gallon tank - $30.00
Screen lid - $16.00
Clips - $5.00
UTH - $10.00
Total cost - $61.00

Now lets take a look at plastic tubs:

I use 32 qt. sterilite tubs.

32 qt. tub - $5.00
UTH - $10.00
Total cost - $15.00

Now, lets say you have 12 snakes in your collection. You keep them in 20 gallon longs.
This is, are you ready for this, $732.00!!!!!

Now, if you keep them in tubs this would be $180.
You can further cut the cost by using heat tape instead of heat pads.

You can build a rack out of melamine that holds 12 containers for about $100. That is a lidless rack, if you want to use the lids, then you can build it for around $65. You can buy enough heat tape to heat all 12 containers and the hardware to wire it in for another $65. Thats $130.

So by using plastic tubs, and a rack with heat tape, your looking at a grand total of around $190 - $200

By going to a rack system, you could build almost 4 racks holding close to 48 snakes for the same amount for aquariums that only house 12 snakes.

Here are some other good reasons to use plastic tubs:

1. way easier to clean.
2. takes up considerably less room.
3. maintain a higher humidity level in the container easier if needed.
4. containers are dang near unbreakable.
5. tubs are alot easier to carry.
6. COST effective.

Sure if you only have one snake, then an aquarium would be fine, but who can only have just one snake???? We all know how addicting these guys are!!!

So next time someone tells you plastic tubs suck, set them straight.

-----

1.0 Corn snake
1.0 Black rat snake
1.0 Albino Black rat snake
1.0 Everglades rat snake
0.1 Yellow rat snake
1.1 California king snake
1.0 Prairie king snake
0.1 Black king snake

Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian

There is a one time cost of a soldering iron/drill to put the holes in the sterlite. But those are maybe 10/20 bucks for a cheap one and have many other uses. (And normal people probably already own a drill, I think I'm the only one who went out and bought one on account of herps)

And another plus is that you can install bird perches in the sterlite for a fun climbing experience.
-----
Eryx - All the fun of a boa in a convenient pocket size!

I got 5 50 gallon Sterilites for 10 bucks each! Compare that to 5 50 gallon aquaria. The bottom line...I can afford to give my ratsnakes PLENTY of room without breaking the bank AND... A 50 gallon sterilite is SO much easier to handle and clean that you can't even MAKE a comparison. Love 'em!