Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I plan to build a rack within the next couple of months and can not decide on a tub size. I have found some with suitable dimensions for width and length, however; height seems to be questionable. The ensuing question is addressed to those individuals who currently house their BPs in a rack:

Is 6 inches a tall enough tub to house a large female ball?

I really like the CB70 Reptitub series, but six inches sounds a bit short. I have referenced other popular rack builders and found that several use this height, some are even smaller. I would be most greatful to hear from people that have experienced housing their snakes in similar tubs and what their opinions are regarding the height. Would you go taller if you had to do it over again.

TIA, most appreciated,
ToddG
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1.1 Balls - Male het/albino, Female 66% het/albino
***Fingers crossed for next season!!!***

i have a 10 level rack with each level appox. 5 3/4 high.in one tub i have a 600 gr. ball and i can't imagine why i would need more height.if you use newspaper for bedding that would give you the full height to use.also this rack uses three different size tubs that are the approx. the same height.each level has three optionsne 41qt. tub,one 27qt. tub and one 12qt. tub or three 12qt. tubs per level.this would allow you to house hatchlings to adults in the same rack.if you had a 6ft. female it might be a bit cramped in the 41qt. tub (appox. 31" in floor length).have fun!

Thanks for the reply,

Yes, that is my goal to have the versatility to use tubs for hatchling - adult sizes. I was mainly concerned with the height for large females. Thanks for the input this will certainly help with my construction plans.

Cheers,
ToddG
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1.1 Balls - Male het/albino, Female 66% het/albino
***Fingers crossed for next season!!!***

I have to put my 2 cents in here. Ball breeders have been using rubbermaid 28qt boxes for their adults for YEARS now. I am not sure why all of a sudden 28qt boxes are supposedly not big enuff, but I have to disagree. I have always used 28qt boxes for my adults, and have never had a problem, NEVER. As a matter of fact, if anything, they have been better off in the 28qt boxes, they feed better, they seem more calm, all of mine have bred better. Now I did try the bigger boxes on a few racks, so I do have something to compair them to. I hade 2 rack with the cb-70 boxes, and i started having balls not eat every week, and some starting getting nasty.

Balls like smaller places for a reason. I know some will disagree with me on this, and I am not saying anyone is wrong or right, but my experience is that the 28qt rubbermaid boxes work better, for me anyway. And for 15 years, breeders have been using the 28qt. Its only been in the last 5 years that bigger boxes have been available, so have the successful ball breeders been wrong for the past 15 years?

Again this is just my experience.

Sam Craver
Cage Crafters, Quality Reptile Housing

Hello Sam,

First, I am glad you tossed in your $0.02, and I wanted someone with experience in racks to respond. I could not agree more with you that BPs like smaller quarters in which to live. In my opinion the 28 quart sterilite tubs at Walmart seemed ideal for adult male BPs and would certainly be convenient, easier for usage. You are saying your larger females also thrive in these size containers. I think thats wonderful and may very well convince me to go with the smaller enclosure. I could certainly use the extra space, LOL!

Thanks for sharing your opinion,
ToddG
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1.1 Balls - Male het/albino, Female 66% het/albino
***Fingers crossed for next season!!!***