|
Q:
|
Setting up a rack system
|
|
Hello everyone!
I am sure this question has been asked before but I am curious as to how others have set up their snakes in a rack system. My snakes are currently being kept in tanks and I would like to save some room and move them into a rack system. I don't currently have a lot of money right now so is there a simple and cheap way to set this up? Pictures would be great, and of course if you just want to reply with "Question answere here: "post link" that would be fine as well.
I have been looking into other cages for Callisto since I don't really like the tank setup that much. I have found a lot of them but it would be great to tell me what you use as well just so I can get a reference.
My room is a little bit of a mess and I would like to clean it up and make it more snake friendly.
Suggestions, tips, etc are all welcome.
I thank you!
|
|
Member Comment
|
12/31/2009 6:14:54 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assisted Answer
|
12/31/2009 7:04:14 AM
|
|
abi21491
|
http://www.animalplastics.com
They have some of the cheapest racks you can find and they are quality. They can custom build to your specifications. The economy line is the cheapest. You could also build your own, here are some links to plans:
http://www.baileyreptiles.com/diy.html
http://www.blueappleherps.com/page13/page14/page14.html
http://www.reptilianprojects.com/ladderrack.html
http://www.riobravoreptiles.com/howto_easyrack.htm
I plan to build or buy a rack at some point, but for now I just use loose tubs. Here is a pic of some of my tubs:
I just wire my Flexwatt as separate "heating pads" so I can move the tubs and heat separately as needed. You can wire your units together if you wish, this is just how I did it.
Hope this helps!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member Comment
|
12/31/2009 9:24:12 AM
|
|
vonnick52
|
I did the stacking tubs thing but the snakes figured it out and I eventually started dealing with escapes.
Racks are easy, Basically, pick out your tub size and go from there. Figure out what will be most space/money economical for your particular set up. Lowe's or Home Depot will cut the sheet wood for you. You just need a drill and maybe a hand saw, depending on your plans. I built my 8 slot, adult rack for somethign like $17 per slot, and $13 of that was in the plastic underbed tub cost.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member Comment
|
12/31/2009 9:26:39 AM
|
|
abi21491
|
|
Luckily I've had no problems with escapes with loose tubs - and I've used it for snakes as small as baby colubrids and candoia. I do think if you can afford to build or buy a rack though, by all means do it. Stacking and unstacking tubs is frustrating and messy :P
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member Comment
|
12/31/2009 9:30:01 AM
|
|
BuddyB
|
Abi
I do NOT recommend placing flexwatt directly on or under plastic tubs. I'd hate to see someone experience an electrical fire and lose their collection or home or life.
[IMG]http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q252/buddybuscemi/Chondro%20SetUp%20/heattapedisaster2.jpg[/IMG]
Buddy B
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member Comment
|
12/31/2009 9:34:01 AM
|
|
abi21491
|
|
Buddy - I use them with a thermostat. Flexwatt is completely safe to use on tubs this way!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member Comment
|
12/31/2009 10:19:30 AM
|
|
BuddyB
|
Abi
No it isn't...in 1995 I had flexwatt melt and burn the bottom of a several tubs in a rack system that flexwatt directly was set on AND I used a Helix Thermostat to control it. I was lucky my smoke alarm sounded and I lost only few hatchling pythons from the previous breeding season. Impurities in the tubs can cause hot spots, and it is possible to wear through the covering of flexwatt and cause a short.
I still use flexwatt, but for back heat only.
The manufacturer recommends at least 1/8th inch gap when using flexwatt on the bottom of cages. A thermostat can help...but only if it fails in the off position, and is controlling the cage that you have the flexwatt failure in.
Stay Safe
Buddy B
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member Comment
|
12/31/2009 10:22:36 AM
|
|
abi21491
|
|
That sucks Buddy, but I honestly think it was one of the rare instances something like that happened. Many, many people in the reptile community use Flexwatt solely, and yes for belly heat as well. I've been using it for a long time with 0 problems. I believe it is safe provided all of your wiring etc is correct. I know I'm not the only one on Flexwatt's team either... Not trying to pick a fight, of course :) But stating my opinion. Any heat source can fail, any heat source can cause problems. Nothing is fool-proof!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member Comment
|
12/31/2009 10:45:04 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member Comment
|
12/31/2009 10:55:24 AM
|
|
abi21491
|
|
The "Placement of Elements" section only mentions an 1/8th gap for air flow between the floor and the tape, not the actual cage and the tape. Atleast that is how I understand it ;) Most heating units are adheared directly to an enclosure, or completely concealed within the floor of an enclosure. I'm just trying to say that most racks built with belly heat are using none other than flexwatt, which is in direct contact with tubs. Always be safe, always check your heat sources regularly! You can't possibly create a "hot spot" when your thermostat is working and set to only 80-90F. MOST plastics will not melt at temperatures below 150F+. Wax melts at 120F. I do not believe that you can melt a hole in a tub with heat tape that is set up properly. Thank you for posting the links though! They do prove that things can go wrong. I just do not see properly setup heat tape melting hard plastic tubs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member Comment
|
12/31/2009 11:43:40 AM
|
|
BuddyB
|
Abi
You are correct....Always monitor your heating devices, but who is around 24/7?
Where is the 1/8th inch gap in the stack of tubs you posted? Where is the thermostat? Each one of those tubs has its own thermostat? Have you checked the surface of your tubs with a temp gun? I bet if you are attempting to reach ambient air temps in the upper 80's that the floor of your temps are much higher. How long does it take for your t-stat to bring your temps back into range after the tubs are opened?
Most large rack makers now offer flexwatt for heating indirectly or in a recessed channel so there is no contact with the tub.
There is no such thing as a small fire, and speaking as a firefighter with 22 years of experience( and a flexwatt user for 17 years), victims of electrical fed fires are oftern amazed how quickly the fire is able to spread.
How many people could be affected by a small fire where you live? How many family members? How many neighbors?
Buddy B
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member Comment
|
12/31/2009 11:56:35 AM
|
|
abi21491
|
|
These tubs actually have a "mote" so to speak so the tape does have air to breath under there. And the thermostat is not visible in the picture, but it is there. You can plug multiple units into a thermostat, BTW ;) That is how I have them. The probe of the thermostat is in one of the tubs where the flexwatt is. I have my thermostat set to 84F. Sure, the heat tape has to run a couple degrees higher... But no where near high enough to melt plastic. I also have digital thermometers w/ probes so I know that the thermostat isn't running too hot or too cold.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accepted Answer
|
12/31/2009 2:38:56 PM
|
|
Floof
|
Thea, if you opt to build your own rack and want Callisto in it, too, look in to Christmas tree storage tubs. Stores aren't going to be stocking them for much longer (since they're a seasonal item), but they're plenty big enough for a small boa... They're about 4x1.5x1 ft. Just a bit shorter than a standard 75 gallon aquarium, and maybe a little longer. =)
From what I understand, making racks is about as easy as stacking tubs and boards and adding sides. I can't wait to have my own... I'm opting for home-built racks, using melamine boards and flexwatt down the back wall. If you do order from a company (i.e. Animal Plastics), remember to check to see if they come with tubs, and, if they don't, to factor in the cost of all the tubs you need.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member Comment
|
12/31/2009 2:43:46 PM
|
|
abi21491
|
The Christmas tree tubs are AWESOME! I've used them for adult bloods, boas, and sub-adult burms and retics. If you ever want some when it isn't Xmas time, go here:
http://www.reptiletubs.com - it is the VE175.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Author Comment
|
12/31/2009 2:50:39 PM
|
|
TheaN526
|
|
Thank you everyone. I'll check out the Christmas tubs at least for Callisto.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member Comment
|
12/31/2009 3:04:55 PM
|
|
Floof
|
|
Lol, I hope I never need them in the middle of the year.. Thea-- They're $25 at Walmart this year, and just went on sale at Fred Meyer for $30. =)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Author Comment
|
12/31/2009 3:08:12 PM
|
|
TheaN526
|
|
25 is still a pretty penny. LOL. Thanks though.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member Comment
|
1/1/2010 10:42:20 AM
|
|
jimaltm
|
Here is a link to a rack system that you can customize.
http://www.rtembroidery.com/rackplans/main.htm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member Comment
|
1/2/2010 2:47:45 AM
|
|
Izzy
|
|
I just have to add my $0.02 - I find that here in the Seattle area, back heat is more difficult to regulate, and can actually cause more problems than it solves if you don't have a back heated rack in a separate, already temperature controlled room. Nothing lasts forever, and as long as you pay attention to your flexwatt so that it doesn't wear through, and when it begins to show excessive wear, you replace it, it is perfectly safe for belly heat with plastic tubs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member Comment
|
1/4/2010 2:30:23 PM
|
|
Aimee
|
|
yeah - the xmas tree tub with wheels is on sale for 29.99 at fred meyer (saw one yesterday evening).
I keep my fosters in stacked tubs in just the same way. however, I put the very smallest snake in the top and add a couple of VERY heavy books on her tub's lid. *fingers crossed* no escapes yet...?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member Comment
|
1/19/2011 3:42:18 AM
|
|
abi21491
|
|
This question has had no activity for 14 days and will be closed by an administrator unless the original poster takes action. Recommended Action: Points awarded An administrator will select responses and assign points at their discretion. Original poster, please close this question out and assign points. If you have any further information in the resolution of your problem, please post it here so that others may learn from it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member Comment
|
11/9/2013 12:06:36 AM
|
|
Memnoch
|
|
Thank you for asking this question because I was wondering the exact same thing! :)
|
|
|
|
|
|
You are not logged in. If you would like to participate (it's free!), you must log
in, or Become a Member!
|
|
|
|
Most Popular Tags
Ball
,
Ballpython
,
Bci
,
Behavior
,
Boa
,
Breeding
,
Buying
,
Caging
,
Care
,
Chondro
,
Cornsnake
,
Crested
,
Crestedgecko
,
Eggs
,
Feeders
,
Feeding
,
Feedingproblems
,
Gecko
,
General
,
Genetics
,
GTP
,
Health
,
Heating
,
Humidity
,
Identification
,
Illness
,
Incubation
,
Infection
,
Leopardgecko
,
Mites
,
Morelia
,
Morph
,
Morphs
,
Parasites
,
Python
,
Regius
,
Respiratory
,
Shedding
,
Snake
,
Substrate
|
Latest Questions
|
|
|
|
points:150
|
|
|
|
points:100
|
|
|
|
points:250
|
|
|
|
points:100
|
|
|
|
points:250
|
More Questions
|
|
|
Latest Answers
|
|
|
|
points:250
|
|
|
|
points:150
|
|
|
|
points:100
|
More Answers
|
|
|