I just recently answered a question about the use of plastic tubs and how to make them escape proof, and this led me to a few concerns of my own. Having made a few additions to my collection at the beginning of summer, I switched over to a set of locktight, stackable tubs for some of my juvies. I love the size capacity and shape of these tubs, as well how easy they are to clean and stack. I'm currently using adjustable metal shelving, with open work bottoms to stack them on. I'll add links of the tubs and shelf style down below. Currently I have juvie blue tongue skinks, a red tail, a childrens, and corn snakes in the tubs.
(From what I have researched, it seems like all of these species can do well in tubs as they grow out, but please let me know if you have any evidence or experience to the contrary!)
Ok, so since I've had this set up during the summer months, and I have a well lit and non-air conditioned room, my ambient temps range from about 85 day to 73-75 night. Most of my tubs sit near or next to glass tanks, and so are close to the heat lamps I have in place. I've measured hot points ranging around 90 to 95, but I know basking spots need to be higher. I'm getting ready to condense and rearrange these tubs for winter, but I'm worried about getting heat lamps or mats too close to the tubs and burning/melting the plastic.
I'd love to hear any suggestions or experiences you all have. I would really prefer to use heat matting, since I keep reading reviews on how it is better for skinks and corns, but how would I arrange it if I would still like to arrange the tubs, but not burn the bottom of the above tub, or overheat the beneath tub?
Thanks so much, and here are the links! For the tub:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_368230-78055-110550_0__?productId=4462445&Ntt=plastic+storage+totes&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dplastic%2Bstorage%2Btotes&facetInfo=
For the shelf: http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=71034-80752-184874C-DS&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3473479&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1