DIY convert any tub to front opening for reptiles!!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ส.ค. 2024
- Simple how to video. Works for any tub / bin any size!
For simple instructions on how to alter for other species feel free to contact me at minionmuseum@gmail.com
Don't mind me, I was making these all night before I realized I should record it lol
Fb.com/TheMinionmuseum
minionmuseum
Amazing. I love how you didn’t use a single specialized tool. Bravo 👏🏼😀
Thanks! The point was to show that anyone can easily do this with items you likely already have 😁
I am definitely going to be using this idea but for a larger bin, but for the zip ties I would put it to where they tie on the outside rather the inside of the bin like you have it just so that the snake doesn't end up rubbing against those and possibly causing injury.
I did soften the edges inside, forgot to mention that part. I usually use kitty nail clippers to cut them. If you do it at the right angle, it leaves a rounded edge
The Tardis shirt got me to click, but this was a really cool idea.
Absolutely love this!!!! I've been on the hunt for affordable pvc enclosures... and they just don't exist!! This is brilliant and I will definitely be doing this for my slithers 🙂
A soldering iron to melt holes for the zip ties would prevent the rough edges in the inside. That's what I use for making rat transport bins
I wanted to make it so easy that anyone can do this, and could have those basic things handy for this build. Not everyone has a soldering iron 🙃
@@MotherTruckinReptiles ha. Good point!
when i made a bin my dad took a knife and just scrapped at the holes from the inside and they werent rough
Def need some additions to make it perfect, but heck of a smart idea for a shell!!
I took an old dresser and turned it upside down, knocked out the slats that held the shelves and put a piece of plexiglass on the front and waterproofed the inside. It made a huge enclosure that I also used as a stand for a 55 gal aquarium.
I've done that too! Be mindful of what kind of wood the dresser is made of tho!
This is awesome and gives me an idea for my tubs, I want to do this for the tops. I have a CHE on my tubs and would love to just be able to flip up the front part instead of taking the entire damn top off every time. Having a hinged front would be perfect to just flip up like a car hood and close when I am done.
Did you ever do a follow up on this to show heating and lighting ideas. Great idea on boxes.
I'm currently using belly heat with these
I really like this. But I do have one concern. I've learned from using zip ties on other projects that when you cut them off they can be extremely sharp. So having the cut off part of the zip tie inside the enclosure might cause a hazard for the snake. I think I would have the cut off part on the outside. It wouldn't look as good but it would be safer for the snake. I guess you could also melt the edge a little bit to make it less sharp also. But this is a great project.
I have not left any sharp edges inside. I find the best tool to cut plastic zip ties is cat nail clippers.
I love to score!
That enclosure is àwsome. Very Very good
wow good work. first time i see this.
Thank you
great video...keeping it simple and effective..thank you!
Really cool setup 👍🏻
Great video 👍
This is great! Thanks for creating this video :)
I thought about making one of these for a portable bearded dragon encloser
I've done that too! I Cut out sections of the top and attach steel mesh or hardware cloth to set the lights on. I have a method for recessing the light as well but no video of it and I sold the ones I made. I'll have to create another and record it lol
I have to try this out
Thank you. Love your shirt btw
Love this! How do you heat the tubs?
What was the measurements of your acrylic?
If you cut the top and put a screen on the top could you use a heat lamp
That's awesome!! Do you add airholes.
Incredible video!!
I am looking for the size of the plexiglass not the thickness. Is it 2ftx3ft?
Thank you so much for sharing!
You’re a genius! Love this so much!
Is it possible and feasible for the snake to extend one tub system to another by attaching pvc pipes between the 2 tubs with joles on sides? Have you ever done this or seen someone doing it? Just looking at options for making a tub system longer for when the snakes grows out of the tub? #ballpython
I've seen it done, but i personally don't like the hamster cage aesthetic it gives lol
I'm currently designing a tree tub topper to extend height and use the tubs as just a base for a paludarium
Ball pythons do great in the 70 gallon black and yellow totes, they are just a couple inches from a 4x2x2!
The tree tubs are 55"x24x15, that's ample space for even a large adult female ball python! The sides are somewhat clear tho, so you'll have to clutter it up or do a background, that would be cool!
Very impressive 😊
When I upgrade my ball pythons enclosure im totally gonna do this
Nice. Good video.
What are the diameters of the peice of glass for the door?
That varies depending on what size tub you use 😊
Up to 30 gals you can use 1/8" plexi, but 40 and over should be at least 3/16 so it's not as bendy👍
Anyway you could post this agian the next time you make one but have th camera focused on the tub so we see how you do it from your point of view. I like the idea just have a hard time getting what your doing each step.
Unfortunately, my biggest downfall as a channel right now is that I don't have a camera person to get critical angles. I have to use a stand or do things one handed. The good news is my reptile room is now twice the size so there will be more space to set up
Super great and helpful video! Was it difficult to score the cutout with just a box cutter? I'm not very strong so worried that it won't come out straight compared to using a power tool.
I've tried using a Dremel in the past and it gets too hot and starts to melt the edges and they come out super uneven. I've discovered that scoring it seems to be the safest way to get a straight edge without damaging the material. It's not difficult you just got to have a steady enough hand so that you're going over the same Groove, cutting deeper as you go.
Worked well for all except my 1800g pushed the plexi and got it to pop past the hook. I'll add 2 more hooks and see what happens
Oh no! Was it in this size?Bigger snakes need bigger tubs. The larger the door opening is, you'll have to get thicker plexiglass.
A drill would have made this a lot safer. Great idea though, thank you so much for the video!
Its too easy to mess up with the drill and make the hole too big lol
i like this method, its really simple and it actually looks good
Thanks for the nice video. I love the details you gave us. I just got 2 questions. 1 What are the dimentions of the tub? 2. What heating do you use and did you place it inside the tub or outside?
I never place heating elements inside a tub where my animal would have direct contact.
I'm using a 7W 11" heat mat with integrated rheostat to the outside on one end. The tub is 3x2 at the wider point, at the bottom its 32" x 20".
This design can be used with any heavy duty tub of any size. I recommend one which has a strong lid that latches firmly all the way around.
Brilliant idea love it . What's the size of the door like measurements. Great job.
It all depends on what size tote you use. Keep in mind, the bigger the plexiglass needs to be, the thicker you should get it, because it becomes more flexible as a larger sheet.
Where did you find those tubs. None at home depot or Lowes in my area. Thanks
Just found them after buying the wrong ones at home depot. They are at office depot.
Do you think this would also work for corn snakes?
I keep all of my corn snakes in these! Bigger tubs of course, and just like with any commercially available enclosure, I wouldn't recommend it for a hatchling! I start my hatchling colubrids in a smaller tub or larger critter keeper, but once they grow out of it, they're ready for one of these
Love the video!! Where do you order the plastic fronting?
Great job
Do you think this would be alright for a leopard gecko, tanks are just way too expensive😫
Absolutely! Check out my part 2 video adding reptile lighting to one of them, that was made for a skink!
Damn you’re good 👍🏿💯💯
Has the super glue ever came apart from the acrylic?
Not without being yanked on lol I'm pretty passive when opening the enclosures, so I haven't had any problems with the glue coming off. In fact I've tried removing it to adjust placement and it just broke the plexi lol
What was the total cost for this build? If you already had some of the stuff from previous builds, how much did those cost when you first got them?
Bin $11
Door $10
Glue $7
Hinges $5/pack
Zip ties $1/pack
Hook locks $1/pack
Accent hook $1/pack
Prices will vary depending on your choice of bin and supplies but still not bad for under $40.. Comparably sized commercially available enclosures will run over $200.
How do you heat it
I use belly heat for the snakes and I have video showing how I've installed lighting to one of the tubs
Hi, I was just wondering how you set up your heating for these enclosures? I’ve made two with plans to make more in the future and I had use the zoomed heat mats but didn’t know if that was the best method for heating
Has anybody done this with the 70 gal? What size glass/acrylic will I need?
It depends on the size of the opening you cut out, but do NOT go thinner than 3/16 cuz 1/8 will bend open at that size
Infrared light?
Make me one! I’ll pay 😂
I do for locals!!
After the cost of shipping, it defeats the purpose of being thrifty lol
@@MotherTruckinReptiles aw well I’m in IL if that helps but good job!!!
Thanks this really helped i need a new cage for my bearded dragon!!
Ive actually used a 60 gallon tote with the clamp on 250 watt fluker dome at the end of the tote and the uvb bar sitting on top of tote sitting on the ground ' for my 3 year old he can go grab him and put him back easilly whenever he wants
Thanks for the info!
You can cut out a section of the top and attach steel mesh or hardware cloth to use lighting.
This is a really great idea! you heat with belly heat..correct? Would you mind explaining how and with what type of heating pad/tape/wire??? Also with the bins stacking so tightly together with no airflow between bins could that pose a problem?
Thx never mind I scrolled down and saw someone already asked same question👍
Great questions tho!
How do you heat the enclosure?
same way you would normally. these bins gave a heat tolerance of 250F
I use belly heat, but there's a video on my channel showing how I added lighting, if you prefer that
Im tbinking of getting a Boa. This will definitely be my go to simple enclosure but question..... Do you think it would be a good idea to cut a section of the top and replace with another sheetbof acrylic to put a tube light to to get some lightbin there for a decent view of them?
I drilled holes and used outdoor string lights for basic viewing lights. If you want to use UV or full spectrum lighting it's better to use mesh instead of acrylic in the top
I am just having a hard time finding a good sized box for my cornsnakes. They are a more active snake si i figure it would be better to give them bigger boxes.
I'll send you a link on fb 👍
What do you do for heat sources?
Can you follow up with this on how you heat these? Or do you use ambient heat?
Indeed! 👍 I plan to. Working on getting lights in bulk so i can do the whole setup in one video. These things cost monies lol
Oh and by the way where can I find acrylic at
You could buy sheets of it at home improvement stores like Lowes and Home Depot, but most of the time you have to cut it yourself. I get precut pieces from my local glass co.
clicked for the tardis
Fair enough.
The top bit can stretch enough for the snake to escape
There is a 2 inch overlap on the lid. They can't escape the top. If you have a very large snake inside such as a boa or young reticulated python, maybe they could push it open but I have 2 large female boa imperators in the largest size of these and never had this problem.
@@MotherTruckinReptiles I plant on putting a bp in there. And i used a 40 gall tub instead of the one in the vid and the top is flimsy. And the bp could probably find a way out from the top. Should I just add like 2 more cup hooks to the top to be extra safe? Oh I just realized I cut a little bit wrong I didn't cut the overlay at the top enough and it catches but so slightly. And with enough force it will come undone from the lip.
@@jwcob1239 you got the yellow and black one? I have a bunch of these in different sizes and none of them have been able to push out the top. Send me an email with picture of what you did, maybe I can direct you how to fix it
I just sent the email with a photo plus a video
What do you use for a heating source?
Hi! I’m currently making a few of these ( or experimenting with run sizes ect ) my bf was all gung ho about screws ect , I told him it was gorilla glue and zip ties ,
Can you explain to us why screws were not used but zip ties and gorilla glue? I prefer it myself !
Gorilla glue is just for the Acrylic side. Most adhesives don't stick to the tubs (hot glue would be better) The threads in a screw, along with door movement can crack the plexiglass and will eventually wear down the plastic, making the hole bigger and eventually comes loose.
What are the glass thing called???
Plexiglass
Can you put lights and heat in that thing?
how can I control the humidity in this tank. I made on and the humidity had been 80-90.
Add ventilation holes. You can use a drill but put a piece of wood on the other side to keep it from cracking.
I wouldve put the hooks on the top
Since I have a raised edge on the top, I left them on the side, but that's a good idea too 👍 I haven't had a problem with sagging tho
This is so cool. What is the thickness of the acrylic you used?
That depends! Most of them do fine with 1\8" thick (0.3175 cm) but the larger size sheet\tub you use, especially if containing a larger/stronger snake, go with 3/16" or even 1/4"
@@MotherTruckinReptiles thanks for the info!
Hi! I’m trying to make this and am a little confused on the hooks to latch the doors. Where did you get them and how did you bend them?
They are small cup hooks, I buy them in bulk on Amazon. I bend them using pliers
May this work on the large sterilite tubs, or are they likely too thin?
It still works, I've made several! 😁
Do you think you could use uvb tube lights in these safely?
Yes! Mount it to the inside of the lid. You can use a wooden board on the outside for extra support. If you use a heat lamp however, you'll want to cut out the top and replace with a metal mesh for a heat lamp.
what size acrylic sheet do you use for this?
That depends on what size hole you cut mine was about 30 inch by 12. So the plexiglass by itself is about the size of a 20 gallon
What size would you recommend for a female ball python?
Depends on if she's active or not. If she's active, go with the 55gal, if not so much, go with the 40
@@MotherTruckinReptiles she’s moderately active but only at night. I have her in a 40 gallon breeder right now
Would you say it’s safe to use a radiant heat panel with this enclosure? I understand there are ribs underneath the lid but I was thinking that those could be cut out in the shape of the heat panel and then attach the panel
did you say cup hooks?
Yes
Question for ya, where did you get the tub/do you have a link?
I got mine at home depot. They're available in-store. If you get them shipped they might come broken
is it safe for baby burms to a year old?
Safe? Yes... BUT size wise, you're going to want to get the largest size tub you can find. They make these up to 46x22, so as soon as that burm hits 5ft, you should have your upgrade ready. And the larger the tub is, you'll need thicker plexiglass and bigger hinges. I recommend 1/4" for a stronger heavy bodied snake.
How much to make me one?
Where did you purchase these bins? Walmart,home depot, target?
Home depot
@@MotherTruckinReptiles thanks so much for the quick reply
A lot of people are wondering about heating, so I thought I'd share my tactic for heating a tub (specifically for a Ball Python):
The way I heat my tub enclosure like this is to cut a large circle out of what will be the "warm end" of the tub lid (it should be at least 1-1/2" wider than the diameter of your heat lamp, so there is no risk of the lamp touching the plastic and causing a fire hazard). After that, you can cut (with heavy duty pliers) and attach chicken wire over the hole in the lid using a heavy duty glue or other adhering device. (I haven't perfected this yet, honestly. I tried using Gorilla Glue gun glue but it didn't hold, so I then stripped that and am using Gorilla Glue TAPE. However, I have to keep pressing it down as it keeps unsealing from the plastic of the lid...definitely not ideal! But if you can figure out a way to secure the chicken wire to the plastic lid, you're golden.) (*Make sure you attach the wire on top of the lid rather than under it. I know it doesn't look as nice, but the wire has sharp edges and unless you can cover them, it is safer to adhere it on top). Once you've attached the chicken wire, you can either place the heat lamp on top of the wire mesh, or hang it so it suspends directly above the opening you've made. :)
What size is the acrylic?
It depends on the size of tub you use. These tubs are about 35 inches & the acrylic doors are about 27 inches.
Where do you get those little hooks for the locking mechanism?
Those are just basic cup hooks you get at most stores that have hardware stuff. I use pliers to bend them backwards into the S shape.
What size tub is this?
The demo was made with a 27 gal, but I have them up to 70 gal.
facebook.com/338637033488362/posts/743829376302457/
Can you please do one of these videos for rats?
You mean how I build my rat cages? Cuz Thats totally different than these
@@MotherTruckinReptiles yes
Doctor who fans where you at
???
How do they handle heat?
They hold heat and humidity very well
You are a beautiful woman
this is an example of what not to do an coming for someone who has no idea wtf there talking about if u use this ur snake will get out !!
Been using these for several years and several species and the only escape was because I messed up putting on the door and didn't think it was gonna be an issue lol So I had to fix that just by adding another "lock" where the little gap was..
You shouldn't immediately shun something without trying it first. The snakes are very very content in their tubs 😊
@@MotherTruckinReptiles I stand by my first statement this is what not to do or use if u cant afford proper housing u shouldn't have the animal its keepers like u why we have so many problems diy home made junk one reason why we have so much trouble here in Florida because people like u ! iv been breeding an keeping reptiles over 40 years an u telling people this is good just shows how stupid u are ffs with keepers like u in a few years we wont be able to own anything
Great video. I just ran out and bought this same tub. I'm wonder how are you attaching the heat pad to the bottom? I'm worried that the recesses will stop me from putting it on well.
Never mind. I found your facebook page and I'm tracking now
@@chrisf6934 How did she do it?