Best Quarantine Tubs for New Reptiles and Amphibians
Updated How we research
Every new arrival should be housed away from an existing collection for a period, and quarantine housing is deliberately plain. Bare, easily cleaned tubs let you see waste and shed skin clearly, remove hiding places you cannot disinfect, and keep the setup cheap enough to replace. Tubs vary in plastic thickness, how they behave near a heat source, lid security, and whether the material takes drilled ventilation holes without cracking. Ask your exotics vet how long to quarantine and what to watch for. We weighed plastic rigidity and warp resistance near heat, lid latch security, how well each tub takes clean ventilation holes, stackability in a rack, and how easily every surface can be scrubbed and disinfected. Small tubs suit hatchlings and short holding periods. Larger sizes suit adult snakes and lizards through a full quarantine. Opaque models suit nervous animals that settle better without constant visual traffic.
The short version
We compared 7 picks. Our scores range from 6.8 to 8.1 out of 10.
- Best overall:Sterilite Ultra Latch Box, 30 qt, 6 Pack. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.1/10.
- Also great value:Amazon Basics Latching Storage Bins, 12 qt, 6 Pack. Value score of 9/10, overall 7.2/10.
- Solid build:Rubbermaid Cleverstore Latching Totes, 18 Piece. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.0/10.
- Feature-rich:HOMZ Latching Storage Bins, 66 qt, 2 Pack. Features score of 7/10, overall 7.6/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This does not change our picks. Affiliate disclosure
Sterilite Ultra Latch Box, 30 qt, 6 Pack
A Sterilite 6-pack of 30 quart Ultra Latch boxes, the classic clear tub for quarantining juvenile snakes and geckos.
Rubbermaid Cleverstore Latching Totes, 18 Piece
A Rubbermaid Cleverstore bundle of 6 x 30 Qt and 12 x 6 Qt latching clear totes for quarantine tubs plus feeder storage.
- 1.Sterilite Ultra Latch Box, 30 qt, 6 Pack8.1/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.Rubbermaid Cleverstore Latching Totes, 18 Piece8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.HOMZ Latching Storage Bins, 66 qt, 2 Pack7.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.Amazon Basics Latching Storage Bins, 12 qt, 6 Pack7.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.Sterilite ClearView Latch Boxes, 27 Qt, 12 Pack7.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.IRIS USA 13 qt Storage Bins with Lids, 6 Pack7.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 7.IRIS USA WeatherPro Storage Bins, 19 Qt, 6 Pack6.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
| # | Product | Our score | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sterilite Ultra Latch Box, 30 qt, 6 Pack | 8.1/10 | See on Amazon | Check price |
| 2 | Rubbermaid Cleverstore Latching Totes, 18 Piece | 8.0/10 | See on Amazon | Check price |
| 3 | HOMZ Latching Storage Bins, 66 qt, 2 Pack | 7.6/10 | See on Amazon | Check price |
| 4 | Amazon Basics Latching Storage Bins, 12 qt, 6 Pack | 7.2/10 | See on Amazon | Check price |
| 5 | Sterilite ClearView Latch Boxes, 27 Qt, 12 Pack | 7.2/10 | See on Amazon | Check price |
| 6 | IRIS USA 13 qt Storage Bins with Lids, 6 Pack | 7.0/10 | See on Amazon | Check price |
| 7 | IRIS USA WeatherPro Storage Bins, 19 Qt, 6 Pack | 6.8/10 | See on Amazon | Check price |
A Sterilite 6-pack of 30 quart Ultra Latch boxes, the classic clear tub for quarantining juvenile snakes and geckos.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 30 quart size is a popular quarantine size for young ball pythons and geckos
- + Ultra Latch lids clip down firmly to deter escapes
- + Clear sides let you check on animals without opening the lid
- - Needs air holes drilled or melted in before use as an enclosure
- - Heat mats under plastic tubs must run on a thermostat to avoid melting
A Rubbermaid Cleverstore bundle of 6 x 30 Qt and 12 x 6 Qt latching clear totes for quarantine tubs plus feeder storage.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Two sizes cover quarantine tubs and small feeder or supply containers
- + Rubbermaid build quality is sturdier than many budget tote brands
- + Latching lids help keep lids closed while stacked
- - Large mixed bundle is more than a single pet owner will need
- - Totes still require drilled ventilation before animal use
HOMZ 2-pack of large 66 quart clear latching bins with gray latches, big enough for temporary housing of larger reptiles.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 66 quart capacity gives medium snakes and lizards room during quarantine
- + Latching lids add security over simple press-fit tubs
- + Clear sides allow observation of stool and shedding without disturbance
- - Only 2 bins, so multi-animal quarantine needs more packs
- - Large flat lids may bow slightly, so check for gaps with small snakes
An Amazon Basics set of 6 clear/grey 12 quart latching storage containers, handy as small quarantine tubs for hatchlings.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Set of 6 lets you quarantine several small animals or feeders at once
- + Latching lids help keep small snakes and geckos contained
- + Stackable bins save shelf space in a quarantine rack
- - You must drill ventilation holes yourself before housing any animal
- - 12 quart size only suits hatchlings, feeders or small invertebrates
A 12-pack of Sterilite ClearView Latch boxes at 27 quarts each, 17 x 11 1/8 x 12 3/4 inches assembled, with a clear base and clear lid. A taller, narrower alternative to the 30 quart Ultra Latch boxes for bulk quarantine setups.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Clear base and clear lid, so contents are visible from the top as well as the sides
- + Latches snap the lid to the base to keep it closed, and the boxes are BPA and phthalate free
- + Twelve matching 27 quart boxes, each 17 inches long, 11 1/8 wide and 12 3/4 high
- - Plain storage boxes with no ventilation, so air holes have to be added by the buyer
- - This listing is a 12-pack, which is too many for someone who needs one or two tubs
IRIS USA 6 pack of 13 quart clear storage bins with latching lids, listed at 16.5 x 11 x 6.81 inches and made in the USA, usable as low profile holding tubs.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Clear plastic lets you see what is inside without opening the lid, and the listing says the material is BPA-free.
- + The latching lid and pull handle are described, and the tapered design lets empty bins nest to save space.
- + A 6 pack at a modest price gives you a spare tub for each setup and extras for supplies.
- - The product page is written for household and craft storage and says nothing about airflow, so you will need to add ventilation yourself.
- - At 13 quarts and about 6.8 inches tall it suits small animals only, and it is bigger than the 6 quart bins it replaces.
IRIS USA 6-pack of 19 quart storage bins with gasket lids and buckle latches. A clear, stackable set that works as a stack of quarantine or holding tubs once ventilation is added.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 6/10
- + The listing describes an airtight gasket seal and multi-buckle latches, a secure closure that keeps lids on a tub that holds an animal.
- + Interior size is listed as 14.75 x 9.62 x 7 inches, giving a defined footprint for small reptiles and amphibians.
- + The bins are stackable, BPA-free and made in the USA, and a six-pack covers several quarantine setups at once.
- - The airtight gasket seal means you must add your own air holes for a live animal, and the spec sheet says nothing about reptile use.
- - It costs noticeably more than the plain 6-pack it replaces, and the 7 inch interior height limits tall or climbing species.
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Needs air holes drilled or melted in before use as an enclosure (Sterilite Ultra Latch Box, 30 qt, 6 Pack)
- Large mixed bundle is more than a single pet owner will need (Rubbermaid Cleverstore Latching Totes, 18 Piece)
- Only 2 bins, so multi-animal quarantine needs more packs (HOMZ Latching Storage Bins, 66 qt, 2 Pack)
- You must drill ventilation holes yourself before housing any animal (Amazon Basics Latching Storage Bins, 12 qt, 6...)
- Plain storage boxes with no ventilation, so air holes have to be added by the buyer (Sterilite ClearView Latch Boxes, 27 Qt, 12 Pack)
- The product page is written for household and craft storage and says nothing about airflow, so you will need to add ventilation yourself. (IRIS USA 13 qt Storage Bins with Lids, 6 Pack)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among quarantine tubs for new reptiles and amphibians?
Sterilite Ultra Latch Box, 30 qt, 6 Pack is our top overall pick. A Sterilite 6-pack of 30 quart Ultra Latch boxes, the classic clear tub for quarantining juvenile snakes and geckos. It earns our score of 8.1/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Rubbermaid Cleverstore Latching Totes, 18 Piece is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. A Rubbermaid Cleverstore bundle of 6 x 30 Qt and 12 x 6 Qt latching clear totes for quarantine tubs plus feeder storage.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Terrarium Nest independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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