Where do you get your enclosures?

[Inktomi2]

Hey everyone! I'm pretty new to the hobby and would like to ask where people get their different enclosures from. I know the status quo for slings is small deli cups or the obligatory clear plastic pill container. I am looking to buy 2x2x5 tall clear acrylic containers, preferably with a hinged lid or a snug fitting top like below.

I got this from a vendor at the White Plains Reptile Expo. They sell them for $5.00 each.​

I managed to find some small baseball card containers at a weekend flea market sold by sports card vendor. Paid $1.00 each and had to buy five. I rehoused a few of my larger slings in it. I have no problem getting the Dremel out and drilling some holes.
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And I found these little salt & pepper (Push it!) shakers at a Dollar Store near me. Only four left - bought them all. These are going to house the next four slings I get.
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I asked another vendor and they gave me a link to Pioneer Plastics. Where the 036C that I linked looks like it will fit the bill. I have to buy 40 and it breaks down to $1.46 each. Not too bad if I could resell a few. I asked them for a free sample and they obliged, so one should be here soon.

I also found US Plastics has a case but comes in at $2.56 each. Little more expensive that I would like, but I only have to buy 15.

Last but not least was my digging around on Alibaba. There, I can order cases specific to size, but have to buy anywhere to 100 to 2000 at a clip. The shipping is from China via a boat - who knows how long that would take.

I feel as if I should conform and just con my local deli into giving me a sleeve of quarter pound deli containers and lids, but with me it's all about presentation. Is there a market for acrylic cases in the hobby?

Thank you for reading my late night psychobabble. I hope you either got something out of this or can help.

 

[KezyGLA]

I use deli tubs 12oz for slings and 32 oz for small juveniles.

Then I use Braplast tubs for larger juvs and small adults.

Cereal containers for small adult arboreals and fossorials.

Really Usefull Boxes or similar storage boxes for larger terrestrials.

Exos for large arboreals.

 

[SonsofArachne]

Anymore I DIY all my enclosures. My only rule is it has to be clear (except for slings). For awhile I had trouble finding anything both tall enough and clear for arboreals. Then I noticed the 3 1/2 galleon beverage dispensers at Walmart. The lids are a little clumsy but otherwise are great.

 

[Anoplogaster]

Well, either DIY your enclosures, or pay someone an arm and your left eye for a DIY enclosure they made for you

Most people use deli cups. If you want it to be more visually appealing, you can find amac boxes online for cheap. Just drill some holes, and you’re good to go!

Then, if you want adult enclosures, you can often find cheap small aquariums at big chain pet stores. For my arboreals, I use up-turned aquariums, and make arcylic doors for the fronts.

 

[Thekla]

View attachment 294489 And I found these little salt & pepper (Push it!) shakers at a Dollar Store near me. Only four left - bought them all. These are going to house the next four slings I get.
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Don't use these! Because they're made of glass, there's no cross ventilation possible. There was just a thread of someone who lost his C. versicolor that was housed in the exact same thing (here).

For slings I usually build the enclosures myself out of acrylic sheets, for larger terrestrials I use cheap plastic boxes (like sterilite containers) or Exo Terra breeding boxes, and for arboreals I again build them myself (for example I have an enclosure made out of a lantern).​

 

[antinous]

The Container Store has AMAC boxes that might be up your alley. I use their accessory boxes, they’re about 6” x 7” and great for juvies. Cheap too at $1.50 each with a discount code.

 

[FrmDaLeftCoast]

Lately I've been getting some good deals online. On Amazon I was able to get a 12 pack 9.5 oz of clear plastic "spice" jars for a little over $10. A week before this I was able to get 9 (2 - small & 7 - mini) enclosures (similar to Lee's Kritter Keepers) for $35 or so (free shipping) via Google Express/Walmart. With the use of my soldering gun I was able to make them perfect homes for my T's.

 

[Dandrobates]

I love the container store. They have a variety of amac boxes and other containers that can be easily modified.

 

[CheshireGleam]

I used the salt and pepper shaker for my first four slings, and I also wouldn't recommend it. Ventilation aside, maneuvering inside that thing, especially for rehousing, is a real pain. It's pretty deep, I remember having to dig out all my slings, and I could have potentially harmed them. Don't use it!

 

[Inktomi2]

I would like to thank everyone for their feedback and support. I never thought of cereal boxes! And those AMAC boxes might be what I am looking for.

I am also going to give those S&P shakers away to someone. That story about the Avic that died was so sad. He took four pictures of the same dead T. And those aren't cheap either!

I am curious of how many holes to drill? I guess the more the merrier when it comes to ventilation.

 

[lostbrane]

Stores like Smart&Final Extra! have sleeves of deli cups/souffle cups. I think you have to get the lids separate. I think they come in sets of 25 for 32 oz deli cups and one sec...125 for 2 oz souffle cups. They were pretty cheap and they have lasted me quite a bit so far (I think I have about 12 or so unaltered deli cups and probably around 120 souffle cups left) and I got them in May? of this year.

However, cheap acrylic wise, AMAC would definitely be the way to go for that imo. When adding ventilation holes make sure that if you're using a drill, that the bit is spinning pretty fats and apply lightish pressure to avoid cracking. There will probably still be some cracking but that's no big deal really. Unless a chunk of acrylic breaks off. A soldering iron works just be sure to melt it in a well ventilated area.

I tend to go a bit overboard with my ventilation.

I use their accessory boxes, they’re about 6” x 7” and great for juvies.

That's absolutely ridiculously awesome. I think I'll have to drop by there next time I need some juvie enclosures.

 

[Paul1126]

Like most people here I tend to buy storage boxes and drill my own ventilation holes, tarantulas are not fussy.

I go to supermarkets, I use "very useful storage boxes" as I like the lockable lids.

For slings I use deli cups with pin hole ventilation, slings showing adult colours I will use clear plastic live food containers.

Once they are big enough for the storage boxes I use them.

 

[ccTroi]

the container store and hobby lobby are my main go-to. i go to walmart pretty often too.

 

[Enrgy]

Cereal containers for small adult arboreals and fossorials.

i also do this

 

[laservet]

i also do this

For the little ones i bought these little boxes from The Container Store, $1.45 each, drilled a hole in the top and installed a 1 inch screen vent, $0.85. The surface area inside is a little larger than that of a 2 oz deli cup, but smaller than that of a 4 oz deli cup.

 

[Liquifin]

I use sterlite storage containers for most of my T.'s. But if I had to be very honest here. Some of my enclosures are from the trash. Because it's free of charge and it's fun getting cool stuff for free . My siblings sometimes call me a homeless freebie. But I really don't care as long as I get free stuff that is good.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Where do I get my enclosures?

I'm a long time 'Patreon' of 'The Dark Den' so I've received an helluva of 'Ferrero Rocher'™ modified enclosures

 

[Teal]

the container store and hobby lobby are my main go-to. i go to walmart pretty often too.

This is the Trifecta of Enclosure Sources lol

From Walmart, I use the 1 gallon, half gallon, and quart plastic storage containers. They are just a few dollars.

From The Container Store, AMAC boxes are life. I also really like their shoe storage boxes for terrestrials.

From Hobby Lobby, I love the little Hot Wheels display boxes.

And then your obligatory deli containers and condiment cups I get off Amazon.

 

[Inktomi2]

This is the Trifecta of Enclosure Sources lol

From Walmart, I use the 1 gallon, half gallon, and quart plastic storage containers. They are just a few dollars.

From The Container Store, AMAC boxes are life. I also really like their shoe storage boxes for terrestrials.

From Hobby Lobby, I love the little Hot Wheels display boxes.

And then your obligatory deli containers and condiment cups I get off Amazon.

I hit up Walmart tonight as I just picked up two arboreals. The Mainstay plastic food container is perfect at $3!

Again, I am glad I asked the board. I've gotten a lot of great ideas for housing. Now I just have to get more T's.