I bit the bullet

[Dakota]

Finally switched 5 of the skinks to tubs. They are CB-110 tubs, which are 39" x 20 x 6.5".

The rack is something that was in the house when we moved here. It didn't exactly fit the tubs, but I improvised. There are tiles on the tops, with screws holding them in to keep them from tipping.

Since the lids weren't exactly stable, I drilled a hole at the locking end to put a screw in there. It keeps them from potentially lifting it up and getting out.

The rack is also mounted to the wall to make sure no tipping!



Humidity reads 80% now, but was a little lower in this photo.



Here are the others. I currently have everyone on paper towel for the time being in kinda bare caging. Saving up for a large order of orchid bark currently. Everyone besides Virginia are in a 50 gallon tub.



I have always been skeptical of racks, but finding these large tubs, and them being clear enough to see, I really like them! Currently all the Halmaheras are in there. I think will really like the humidity and security.

[SmaugTheBluey]

looks perfect for them!

[freeloader]

You have come over to the dark side.

[NickBrahz]

Ok so racks have always confused me, it's recommended that they have at least 3 feet of room, but obviously racks aren't that big, and don't they essentially get bored being in stuck in such a small thing where all they can do is lay there mostly.

[Richard.C]

nick,u can get racks in bigger sizes than the floor space of a 3 foot fish tank

[Dakota]

Ok so racks have always confused me, it's recommended that they have at least 3 feet of room, but obviously racks aren't that big, and don't they essentially get bored being in stuck in such a small thing where all they can do is lay there mostly.

Mine are 3.25 ft x 1.8 ft of floor space. The big tubs also have a 18" x 18" tile they also use to walk on.

[NickBrahz]

Oh ok now i feel like a donut, everytime i see a picture of racks i guess the ones i've seen don't have anything nearby to compare size so they always looked to me to be 60cm long or something small.
What about lighting though do you just say have the room light on for them or what and do you take them out of the racks regularly?

[Dakota]

Here is Vera in a tub. I chose these tubs because of how large they were, larger than 40 gallon breeders and much larger than the CB-70 tubs, which most people seem to use. These are four inches shorter than a 75 gallon tank.

[Dakota]

Yours look great freeloader. I tried to do the cut out on the tops of the large tubs, but I failed miserably.

Nick, I've turned my room into a skink room. I leave both my windows open 24/7 to let in heat and humidity. Temperatures range between 28 (room temperature in Florida) and 31 on a really hot day. Humidity ranges between 50-70% in the large tubs, and 70-85% in the rack, so far.

[NickBrahz]

Oh ok thats cool i always dismissed racks because i didn't know you could get them to be that big and thought it was mean to put them in small racks, so now that i presume you have more room do you plan to get some more skinks or going to use that space to keep some bubs or something?

[Dakota]

Well, right now I'm just looking for a red male for Vera. I plan to add a pair of Keis very soon, too. Those are my priorities, so far. I start college in a few months, so I can't add too many more. I am extremely satisfied with my little group that I've built apart from not having Keis and a red male Halmahera.

[freeloader]

My tubs are 1000mm x 500mm x 185mm.
I think I used a fine blade on the jigsaw to cut out the top.
So much easier to maintain and looks a lot neater. Which is good for my wife who is not a reptile person but a neat freak.

[JoshChimera]

Nice going!

[Dakota]

That is the exact same size I use, freeloader. The tubs themselves look small in photos, but in person they are quite massive. Mine came with a third opening lid, so I don't do any pulling and pushing them back and forth for changing water, etc. I need to hurry up and get some substrate, though - just a tiny spill on the paper towel, the whole cage is soaking within minutes!

Riley developed a respiratory infection not long after moving here, and there just didn't seem to be any type of improvement even on all the medication. Spending a day in one of these, he already looks a ton better. Can't make any quick assumptions, but I expect him to make a nice speedy recovery. I was actually worried humidity may be too high and stuffy, but sometimes I forget where they really come from, I guess. Barely even a dry season on Halmahera. May need to poke more holes once substrates get in there. I wouldn't doubt it didn't get in the high 90%'s with the orchid bark. I'm happy with the 70-85% range.

[NickBrahz]

Yeah i always thought there were small because of how they look like in photos because im a donut, how much did they set you back? probably be about double that to buy them over here haha, heat pad things are usually used with racks so they are warm right?
Sorry to hear about Riley but it is good if he is on the recovery

[Dakota]

Between $15 and $25 usually. I got mine 5 for $100.

[freeloader]

I think my male Kununurra has come along very well since being put into a tub. He has put on a lot of weight, he looks healthy and he can't climb the walls like he used to in the enclosure. Now all my bts are in the rack except for breeding time when the females go into enclosures to warm up. I then introduce the male into the females enclosure.
The above statement is just my opinion.

[Dakota]

Lots of beneficial effects than what meets the eye. When I first heard about racks, I could not imagine keeping in such tiny dark boxes their whole lives. While some people do this, sadly, I eliminated both the space issue, as well as the light issue by getting big, clear tubs. I know the Halmaheras can see through the tubs (they notice me when I'm peeping in), but they also have the sense of security it seems, because I see them out more. Anyone that keep Halmaheras know that is all they seem to do is hide, so I assume they may only see a short distance outside.

Now, I have been keeping them like this for a very short period of time, but as of now, I'd definitely recommend keeping Halmaheras in these tubs, rather than an open "viv".

My only wish is that they made them maybe 10" high. My Meraukes like to perch on their hides especially the males, but this obviously can't be done in a 6.5" tall tub.

[splashy07]

Just recently became over-skinked when a friend got tired of her Northern, so had to quickly make provisions for another skink! I bought a plastic tub about the size of a 40 breeder from Target, made some airholes in it and cut out a hole for the light and fastened a grate on top to hold it. Has a locking lid and is a bit translucent, and my Merauke is happier in there than ever before! I may do the same now with my halys, as they would probably benefit from the extra security/humidity also! I don't use racks (except for my snakes, but eventually when retired I would like to set up for breeding, so probably will) but these large tubs come in very handy and are cheap and light to move around. Any future skinks will get them! Good luck to all with your skink housing arrangements, I am positive I will someday have a skink ghetto.