Weekly poll #3

[Peter_Steele]

Alrighty guys here is our new poll. It can be a controversial topic to some but please try to keep it nice and respect others opinions. I personally like tubs for snakes. I think it provides better security and upkeep for the temps is much easier. I used to be an avid glass tank user until Donnie pointed out the problems back in October last year. So what do you guys think? Tubs or tanks please post and get a good discussion going.

[Southern_Boa_Gurl]

I would definetely have to say this will be a very controversial topic and most of it will depend on species too with your responses.  I would have to say personally, I feel as though tubs or custom cages are better that glass aquarium tanks!!

[1softkiss]

My female Ball Python bled profusely from missing the feeder and slamming her face into the glass. I've seen videos of people laughing when their snake strikes the tank and I comment it's NOT cute nor funny it can scar a snake for life as well as cause some very serious problems.

I feel tubs are appropriate AS LONG AS the owner allows the snake ample space with an appropriately sized tub so it can thermo-regulate it's temp instead of going from a warm end right into a hot end. Snakes need to be able to adjust their body temperatures and it's near impossible in a small tank or a small tub. Snakes adjust their temperatures in their natural environment because it's essential and should remain as such also in captivity.

[Peter_Steele]

I would definetely have to say this will be a very controversial topic and most of it will depend on species too with your responses.  I would have to say personally, I feel as though tubs or custom cages are better that glass aquarium tanks!!

Well I knew it would be controversial thats why i chose it. I want more people to participate but keep it civil at the same time so we will see.

[Peter_Steele]

I would definetely have to say this will be a very controversial topic and most of it will depend on species too with your responses.

Well I knew it would be controversial thats why i chose it. I want more people to participate but keep it civil at the same time so we will see.

[Donnie_K]

It will lose it's civility the first time someone comes in talking about "I keep my snakes in glass tanks so my ball pythons can have plenty of room to frolic and play with my king snakes and plenty of light to see what they're doing." or "I keep my snakes in glass tanks because they're on display in the living room right next to my subwoofer!"

and the only time it's species specific when talking about snakes is if you have some kind of desert species that is active during the day, and actually likes light. That's not the case with most snakes though.

[Heart and Soul Reptiles]

I have to say tubs and here are my argumental positions:
1. WAAAAYY easier to clean, especially when you need a bigger one, so therefor healthier for the animals
2. Hold humidity better, my burm never had a good shed until he got out of a glass tank
3. less light for skitish/nervous snakes
4. much easier to move/ change your setup
5. Take up a lot less space

[Chic4Retics]

Tubs are great for humidity glass, well NOT and if ya really wanna give them the best have one built or make your own.

[Donnie_K]

eh, it's not the glass itself that hurts humidity. it's the screen tops, the heat lights, and the things people put inside the tanks. Though that doesn't address the light issue. Nocturnal snakes don't like light at all. It will cause stress, and stress can lead to illnesses. That's not to say you can't cover the screen, put belly heat under it, and cover 3 sides to keep out light.

[1softkiss]

eh, it's not the glass itself that hurts humidity. it's the screen tops, the heat lights, and the things people put inside the tanks. Though that doesn't address the light issue. Nocturnal snakes don't like light at all. It will cause stress, and stress can lead to illnesses. That's not to say you can't cover the screen, put belly heat under it, and cover 3 sides to keep out light.

Rite on with this post Donnie!!!! Ya know I've seen little twenty gallon or thirty gallon tanks on YouTube with one snake in it and the entire cover is lamps shade to shade touching each other across the top.

Now, how in the hell can a snake have a cool area in any tank totally adorned with heat lights? There is NO reason to have that many different lights on top of an enclosure. There are better means to provide heat and humidity is provided with a nice size water tray close to the heat source like I use belly heat.


I've seen tanks with so much stuff in them and on them you have to almost remove everything just to find the snake. That's not so much a bad thing they like privacy but all that really helps harbor excessive moisture and grows mold and mildew.

Ha back to the topic is pretty or functional of more value to a reptile keeper.

Sorry bout that LOL