Storage Bin terrarium, aquarium, vivarium, etc...

[lexmiller]

I have seen so many pictures of storage bins being used to house caudates on this site. This appeals to me because of my limited budget.

I have seen bins that were small. Obviously the ones that are larger are more preferred. What does one house in the smaller bins? How small can you make them? Semi-aquatic, terrestrial, aquatic...which one is best for some of the smaller bins? Give me your best opinion based on your experiences that you have had.

I believe I have seen pictures of rows of bins with no lids...what might be housed in those as well I wonder. Obviously something that won't run away.

I also read somewhere that one herpetologist drilled holes in the bins for tubing from air pumps. That person also stated they used no sealant in the hole. How is that possible?

Thank you.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

I have seen so many pictures of storage bins being used to house caudates on this site. This appeals to me because of my limited budget.

I am a huge advocate for plastic storage bins, they have numerous advantages. They are inexpensive, stackable, readily available, come in numerous sizes, and most important of all is that they don't break!

I have seen bins that were small. Obviously the ones that are larger are more preferred. What does one house in the smaller bins? How small can you make them? Semi-aquatic, terrestrial, aquatic...which one is best for some of the smaller bins? Give me your best opinion based on your experiences that you have had.

I house larvae, newly morphed individuals, smaller species like Eurycea, or when I have just 1 or 2 of a species.

I believe I have seen pictures of rows of bins with no lids...what might be housed in those as well I wonder. Obviously something that won't run away..

More than likely these will house younger larvae as these are less likely to try and escape.

I also read somewhere that one herpetologist drilled holes in the bins for tubing from air pumps. That person also stated they used no sealant in the hole. How is that possible?

If you drill a hole above the waterline that is the same diameter as the tubing then the fit will be tight enough that you don't have to worry about silicone.

 

[lexmiller]

Dude....you're awesome. I love how everybody replies so quickly to posts with such great info.


One more question...

The tempuratures herer in the North San Joaquin valley flucuate quite a bit. I do not have a basement, but I do have a work shop that could lend some space. My question is how much do you guys allow tank temp to flucuate throughout the year? Do we need to give the critters a "natural" seasonal change or do we need to keep the temp regulated in a small range all year long? My workshop ain't cool like a basement, but it's definately not as hot as the 100+ degree temps outside.


Guess that was more than A question.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

I think this depends on what the keeper feels like letting the temps get to and where the salamanders originate from. Personally I've let some of my native tanks get into the low 80's but these salamanders also had a deep layer of moist substrate to bury in. I do this to simulate the summers here for species that I am try to breed. I don't recommend doing this unless you know the signs of heat stress and have a cool area to put them in case it gets too hot for them. But for the most part I try to keep the tanks at 70-ish or below.

 

[lexmiller]

Unfortunately there are no "native" species here that I am interested in. We are one of those areas that mostly harbors bullfrogs. I think I could also keep the temp down in my work shop. It's pretty dark and only has one wall that ever gets any sun.

 

[Salmonella]

Storage bins are a great alternative for terrariums, especially because they are lightweight, easy to move around, and are stackable. Although the one in pic is large, I also use the "shoebox" bins. Concerning the lids, I cut a "hole" in the top and secure with nylon screen held in place with aquarium glue (not the best though, but non-toxic). Note: Pic is featured in Caudata Culture.

 

[lexmiller]

Beautiful terrarium.

OKay, so has anyone ever tried just drilling a series of smallish holes in a pattern on the lid instead of mesh or screen?

 

[Greatwtehunter]

I do that to the containers that house things that don't get fed fruit flies. You'll have to experiment with the amount of holes with the amount of ventilation you need. I always start off with a few holes then add more until I am happy with the exchange rate.

 

[merk199]

Currently all my terrestrial staged animals are in storage bins. Larger is better in my opinion, but within reason. I don't go very deep as this is basically unusable space in a sterilite, and not to large front to back and left to right. I keep the usable terranium surface area so I don't need to add hundreds of flies and springs to ensure the newts can easily find food. Single specimens I will use shoe box size. Larger newts and bigger groups I use larger containers to fit.

I drill holes in the tops of my lids about 1.5'' apart in a grid pattern with a small drill bit. I then use 2 layers of acrylic window screen over the top of the terranium secured by the lid/handles to keep the fruit flies and springtails in. I do have one bin I haven't cut screen for and the melano fruit flies never seem to escape. Stay away from metal screening.

The only thing I do not like about sterilite bins is the lack of visibility. This is a temporary problem for me as all but one of my newts will go back to water in time and I will then move the to the appropriate sized aquarium.

I'd definitely get a temp in the work shop. As you may well know most newts and sallies do best in the low 70s and lower. If the temp is only a problem for a few sporadic days you could fridge the critters if needed.

 

[SludgeMunkey]

Our founder and impromptu Amphibian deity posted this fine "article" on building the basic set-up over at frogforum.net. You can read it here:


Ten Dollar Enclosure Sticky @ Frogforum

I tend to use this type of enclosure for quarantine, live foods cultures and rearing larvae. Currently about half of my amphibian room is comprised of these boxes. I like to be a cheapskate for housing while I slowly build fancy display enclosures.