Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
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New Rubbermaids look very promising for enclosure conversions!!!
- Thread starter Riverside Reptiles
- Start date
Plexiglass would hold up well, doesnt melt till about 160C. Totes depend on if they are HDPE or LDPE. HDPE won't melt till about 110C and LDPE is much lower at 80C. What I would worry about is the constant heat degrading the bonds of the plastic over time. Especially on clear totes since they don't have the added colouring agent. If you use a UVA/UVB light, the plastics with degrade quicker as well as I dont think a tote would have a UV plastic stabilzer in it.
They only way to know how the plastic is holding up is to apply some pressure to the UTH area and see if it cracks.
They only way to know how the plastic is holding up is to apply some pressure to the UTH area and see if it cracks.
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Good to know, Shawn, for anyone considering using Flexwatt or any UTH on tubs, clear or otherwise! :banana:
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Your position is just temporary, of course. See all the useful info you can share about keeping our critters safe? Perhaps you already knew this stuff?
Hope that your dream job is not far off.
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Riverside Reptiles
Administrator (HMFIC)
A lot of what is needed temp wise is dependent on what species are being kept. Some species require no external heat at all. Other species require only a small amount of heat. And yet others require 100f+ degree heat. I have many enclosures that I've made from rubbermaid type plastic tubs that have been heated from below with flexwatt and other UTH heating for years and years that are in perfectly fine condition still.
I would however caution everyone to A) utilize a proper thermostat with ALL heating devices to insure the safety of both your animals and your home in case of an over heat or failure and B) check the condition of your enclosures occasionally for any possible damage that may occur. If the plastic does indeed seem to be getting to a point where it is either brittle or melty, discontinue using that container. Certainly better safe than sorry, but do keep in mind that rubbermaid/sterlite products have been safely used in this hobby (with heat) for a very long time by MANY keepers and breeders.
I would however caution everyone to A) utilize a proper thermostat with ALL heating devices to insure the safety of both your animals and your home in case of an over heat or failure and B) check the condition of your enclosures occasionally for any possible damage that may occur. If the plastic does indeed seem to be getting to a point where it is either brittle or melty, discontinue using that container. Certainly better safe than sorry, but do keep in mind that rubbermaid/sterlite products have been safely used in this hobby (with heat) for a very long time by MANY keepers and breeders.
Ophiomancer
New member
I know some of you folks have used these for Tokays, but as no one explicitly stated that they can stick to this plastic, before I run out and buy some of these to make some stacked vertical enclosures: Can anyone tell me for sure that Tokays can climb this stuff? Or will I need to coat the inside with Krylon/Molotow spray paint or similar?
I'm looking to start a small Tokay breeding program in the next few years, so I'm examining my inexpensive enclosure options. And I really hate working with glass enclosures, which seem to be the other cheap option that does not require owning power tools outside of a Dremel.
I'm looking to start a small Tokay breeding program in the next few years, so I'm examining my inexpensive enclosure options. And I really hate working with glass enclosures, which seem to be the other cheap option that does not require owning power tools outside of a Dremel.
Riverside Reptiles
Administrator (HMFIC)
Tokay will stick to it but be aware that a single one of these does not provide a sufficient amount of vertical space for a tokay. You will want to use 2 of the large sized ones stuck together with the top one being invert (upside down) like in this picture...
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Ophiomancer
New member
Yup, doubling them up is the plan! Thanks for confirming that they can stick to the material, I appreciate it 
Ophiomancer
New member
Huzzah! Picked up two of the large bins at Home Depot today. They were even on sale, though they were out of black, so I went with the green. Very easy to melt holes using a soldering iron, and ziptie the bins together. Fixed the door problem via a cunningly placed xylophone mallet :lol: I'll make a more permanent pin closure later, and slap on some weather stripping to prevent insect escapees.
Serpentined a 100 watt heat cable along the bottom and back, have the thermostat hooked up and everything plugged in. If temps look good in the morning, I'll move my Tokay on in
Serpentined a 100 watt heat cable along the bottom and back, have the thermostat hooked up and everything plugged in. If temps look good in the morning, I'll move my Tokay on in
Riverside Reptiles
Administrator (HMFIC)
Post up some pics in this thread as well as in the tokay section when you get done.
As they say, a picture's worth 1000 words. They may not make the prettiest vivs, but they're very functional and inexpensive.
As they say, a picture's worth 1000 words. They may not make the prettiest vivs, but they're very functional and inexpensive.
Ophiomancer
New member
This is what my Tokay viv looks like for the moment:
Furnished with slate, cork bark, and fake plants. Eco Earth substrate with a top layer of orchid bark. Added starter cultures of pink tropical springtails and powder blue isopods, which should love it in there, and are my favorite cleanup crew combo.
Trying to decide which misting system to buy, or if I want to try cobbling together my own.
Furnished with slate, cork bark, and fake plants. Eco Earth substrate with a top layer of orchid bark. Added starter cultures of pink tropical springtails and powder blue isopods, which should love it in there, and are my favorite cleanup crew combo.
Trying to decide which misting system to buy, or if I want to try cobbling together my own.
ThierNamesRJonas
New member
Just ordered 3 mediums from Kmart. 1/2 price on the web! Only $10 a piece.
Drilled some holes and washed out the tubs today. I'm looking forward to having some uniform, stacked enclosures for my Cresties: Girl Jonas, Boy Jonas, and Baby Jonas.
Will post photos when they are ready for the geckoes.
Drilled some holes and washed out the tubs today. I'm looking forward to having some uniform, stacked enclosures for my Cresties: Girl Jonas, Boy Jonas, and Baby Jonas.
Will post photos when they are ready for the geckoes.
ford mustang enthusiast
New member
Hmmmmmm thinking about getting a couple pairs of these to convert and house tokays in until they've grown enough to safely breed. That'd also give me some time to set up the "tokay love shack" and get the conditions just right. Plus I could re-use them to house the juvies later on.