• Hello!

    Either you have not registered on this site yet, or you are registered but have not logged in. In either case, you will not be able to use the full functionality of this site until you have registered, and then logged in after your registration has been approved.

    Registration is FREE, so please register so you can participate instead of remaining a lurker....

    Please be certain that the location field is correctly filled out when you register. All registrations that appear to be bogus will be rejected. Which means that if your location field does NOT match the actual location of your registration IP address, then your registration will be rejected.

    Sorry about the strictness of this requirement, but it is necessary to block spammers and scammers at the door as much as possible.

Breathing holes in Sterilite tub?

lvxofidia

lvxofidia

New member
So, I have my 32-qt tub, and now I believe I need to drill/puncture/something holes into a few sides so that when it does house a snakey, we don't have to worry about suffocation.

Now, how do I do this? And, if I get a younger snake, how can I be sure the holes wont be big enough for it to squeeze through?

Thanks muchly

-lvx
 
I use a drill and have different size bits to make smaller/larger holes depending on the size of the snake. If you use a drill, be careful about applying too much force to make the hole or the plastic may crack. Many people will also use a soldering iron to melt holes in to the bins.
 
I use a straight soldering iron. There has been at least one instance of a snake catching its tongue in the hole, so make sure if you use a drill you sand it and there are no rough edges.
 
If you use the soldering gun, be sure to do it outside because of fumes.
I use a drill. I drill holes twice. First I use a smaller bit, then a little bit large one. I have found this helps prevent cracking, & also makes the holes smoother.
Yes, it's more work, but it's what I have on hand, works best for me.
 
It's too hot for me to take a soldering gun outside. I do it inside with an exhaust fan!
 
Another Soldering Iron user here. As many holes as I have put in tubs over the years, it was well worth the $16 investment.
 
Soldering iron can't be beat in my opinion! Whenever I tried to drill holes in the bins back when I had hedgehogs I'd ALWAYS end up cracking one. :(
 
I have used a soldering iron before (walmart variety), but the only problem is the hole is one size only. Some hatchlings can really get their nose deep in there.

Now I use a Butylene torch and different size "pin" sizes. For hatchlings I use a small screw driver, 16 penny nail or piece of metal clothes hanger. I use the soldering iron for the yearlings and adults.

dc
 
Camby said:
I have used a soldering iron before (walmart variety), but the only problem is the hole is one size only. Some hatchlings can really get their nose deep in there.

Now I use a Butylene torch and different size "pin" sizes. For hatchlings I use a small screw driver, 16 penny nail or piece of metal clothes hanger. I use the soldering iron for the yearlings and adults.

dc
Click to expand...

You can make very small holes with a soldering iron. You just need to go slow and have a steady hand.
 
The tip I use on my soldering iron is conical and comes to a point. I can choose to insert the entire thing, or just the tip to make a small hole.

It takes a steady hand and patience, but small holes can be made with the right tip.
 
My soldering iron is just a sharp point- solid- no tip. The holes are small enough to not be a risk for a hatchling. I had a fancier one, but doing so many holes in a row made the top overheat and bend. I procrastinate so much, because I _hate_ it so much, that I end up doing 15-25 bins at a time. It's way easier for Gladware feeding bins, too, which I used to do with a hole punch. Once I dig it out and go.
 

Attachments

  • cold-heat-20.jpg
    cold-heat-20.jpg
    10.4 KB · Views: 70
I am not a patient person. My carrer relies on production goals and deadlines being met so even in the snake building, everything has to be completed in a quick and efficient manner. I am sure you can achieve the holes like you discuss. I guess I have just taken the way out that is quicker and eliminates human error potential.

dc
 
My small holes take about an extra second of concentration to make sure I don't go all the way through. Not really significant.
 
I would like to amend my two earlier posts on this subject. At this point is has become quiet apparent the information I have offered is incorrect and required several posts directed at pointing this error out. Though my option has been successful for my needs over the last 16+ years, it SHOULD NOT be followed. My recommendation now is that you ignore what I said earlier, it seems as if the soldering iron was specifically designed with a smaller pointed tip for the sole purpose of a multitude of “breathing hole” size options. As long as you are steady of hand and have the mental aptitude greater than an amoeba (I obviously do not meet this requirement) then you should have no problems. I am sure this subject has been covered in a Corn Snake book some where and I just failed to notice this. The option I offered is too labor intensive and probably only successful for me because God looks out for the weak of mind. Also, I have never drilled holes before but that option has been deemed illogical also so please do not adhere to that advice either.

I would like to thank those who have reminded me why it is best to let the experts answer all the hard hitting questions on these forums. Rest assured, in the future I will refrain from offering irrational advise. I have only read one book dedicated to Corn snake care (shh, I never read a care sheet), so what possible knowledge could I have that is worth sharing? In the future, should I falter and attempt to offer advise to help a fellow keeper, please, a qualified keeper (requirements = must have read two corn keeping books and have only hatched snakes in one season so far) gently remind me that I do not know what I am talking about. I know… why not have a code word like we use for my GSD in her bite training. So, if I start offering advice, one of the qualified people on here simply say “booger lips Johnson”. That will be the code word that “shocks” me back to reality and reminds me I am an unqualified idiot. I know I said I wouldn't offer advice in the future so I am treading on thin ice with this one, but why do we waste time with these forums. Why not just have Rich shut it down and create a mailing list. New members could then email directly to the "Clique of Knowledge" and one of the members could field the question. This would eliminate rif raf like myself.

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah I am sure some will say, “cut the drama, or “you are being too defensive” or something similar, but I just grow tired of nearly every time someone posts, if they are not in the “clique”, then someone from the clique has to chime in and offer their advice. Even if it is to simply agree with the other 15 people that said the same danged thing. God forbid your advice or thought not fall in line with certain members on here. It’s like a piece of meat falling into a tank of Piranha except in this case it is advice falling in a tank of really aggressive Chihuahua’s. And people wonder why some of the “old timers” don’t post on here anymore.

Sorry for the errors in my ways and insubordination. Thank you sir, may I have another…

dc
 
I still can't get past the whining. If you disagree, big deal. Not everyone agrees with all of my posts and I am fine with that. I don't whine for 3 paragraphs about it. If you have been doing this for that many years, show some class and maturity. I can't stand whining...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top