Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Yea, I know how it sounds, get your mind back to the topic! LOL

I want to see as many rack pics as I can, bought, built, whatever you've got! We are going to build our first racks within the next little while and I just want to get an idea of what's working for everyone as far as materials, setup, heating, etc... Also, what thermostat do you use?

I am probably going to take the advice of the genious chris H. and use hollow core door blanks, seems to be a good choice, but I also decided to go ahead and make the rack bigger than we need so I have room to expand the collection, so anything to save space is great!

Thanks in advance!
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Here's a few...

This one shows part of my HC door rack, my custom Vision rack, and a few two-level melamine racks I built. All hold the Iris CB-80 box. Each tub is 31" x 17" x 12".

This next one shows the same three from a different angle, plus a sweater box rack. Note reflectix backing and rope light for heat.

Another angle of my HC door rack.

HC door rack. Holds 12 Iris CB-80's.

A rack I threw together for a similar sized box as CB-80.

A cheap sweater-box rack I built. 1/2" AC plywood sides and 3/4" bull-nosed melamine shelves.

Same rack from front. Not holding any snakes in this picture.

Lastly, not a rack per se, but a "rack" of cages where the shell of the cage is made from 50 gallon plastic storage bins.

I feel like such a bad boy

I made these two a few weeks ago, not quite finished in the pics, each holds 20 sterilite 1754 tubs (sweaterbox size).

22 shelves, 20 of which were slotted for heat tape

I designed around pocket hole screw to join all the pieces

assembly pics



Assembled racks, still routing heat tape and had not added the backs yet. Left one is showing backside and right is showing front.

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Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
4.12 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
2.1 Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 Het for Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Hypo (possible super)
1.0 BCI albino het stripe
1.0 BCI salmon hypo
0.1 BCI ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

LOL Thanks for the giggle and the pics/info!

Keep 'em commin' people! The more the better, although I think Chris covered most of the basis! LOL
-----
"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

np
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Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
4.12 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
2.1 Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 Het for Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Hypo (possible super)
1.0 BCI albino het stripe
1.0 BCI salmon hypo
0.1 BCI ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Im looking to build a rack also and you just got some good response which will help me as well, it helps with detailed pics. I had to also say that this guy Chris is helpful as - - - -. I cant help but to notice how much he helps...Big Up to you Chris. I think im going to try that HC rack or the plywood sides with Malamine shelves.

Glad to see my post has also helped someone else!

Yeah, Chris has been helping me for years, we all love Chris!

Chris is the MAN! LOL
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Hey, thanks for the compliment, but I want to point out that there are a lot of talented/experienced people on this forum. It's just that most of them don't have jobs where they sit at the computer in their living rooms all day

You're too modest, but I agree, there are TONS of awesome people on KS, but I do have to say, weither you are home more or not, you always give detailed answers, you know just about anything I have ever needed to know, and you are polite about everything. Now.. I give the quickness of your replies to the job, but the rest is just as I stated in my previous post... You're simply... THE MAN! LOL
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Well since I havn't actually finished I thought to show photos of my new rack in construction. This was my weekend project. Since it was Super Bowl I didn't get much done.

Thanks for looking
Jeremy

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"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow Red Tailed Boas -Coming Soon-
0.1 Albino Red Tailed Boa -Coming Soon-
1.1 Hypomelenistic Red Tailed Boas
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino Red Tailed Boas
0.1 Suriname Red Tailed Boa
0.1 Anerthrystic Red Tailed Boa
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse

Now that looks awesome! What material is that? PVC?
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Actually its tileboard althought the possibility of using PVCX did cross my mind but tile board at $9 a sheet verses the cost of PVCX is far cheaper.

The true benifit is that each shelf weigths less than 5pds. The same shelf in Melamine is just over 11. Thats literally less than half the weight.

The other benifit is that since each is hollow I can insert the heat tape instead of route a groove. Out of sight out of mind. For each heat panel I am lining the bottom of the shelf with reflectix to dirrect the heat tapes energy up towards the above tub.

Although I can't take full credit the plan is mostly my idea. Adapted form Chris HC Door design. I have also began construction of a new set of cages using a similar design more on that later.

The only down side so far is the manufacturing time for the shelves themselves. I have about 12hrs into it so far and have assembled and glued up one side of about half the shelves. Tomorrow I plan on beginning construction of the heat element.

Thanks for Looking
Jeremy

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"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow Red Tailed Boas -Coming Soon-
0.1 Albino Red Tailed Boa -Coming Soon-
1.1 Hypomelenistic Red Tailed Boas
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino Red Tailed Boas
0.1 Suriname Red Tailed Boa
0.1 Anerthrystic Red Tailed Boa
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse

Sounds like a good plan!

When you get to the heat tape step, make sure to get some pictures there, I am still a little lost as to how you plan on attaching the heat tape.
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Same time tomoorrow! *Crossing Fingers*

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"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow Red Tailed Boas -Coming Soon-
0.1 Albino Red Tailed Boa -Coming Soon-
1.1 Hypomelenistic Red Tailed Boas
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino Red Tailed Boas
0.1 Suriname Red Tailed Boa
0.1 Anerthrystic Red Tailed Boa
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse

Awesome! Thanks! Nice little boa you got there! That is so wrong to show me when I am trying the best I can to convince myself I need to wait to get any boas because I am trying to concentrate on Ball Pythons! LOL
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

LOL, more pics to get you drooling!!

-----
Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
4.12 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
2.1 Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 Het for Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Hypo (possible super)
1.0 BCI albino het stripe
1.0 BCI salmon hypo
0.1 BCI ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

LOL, You are so mean! I REALLY want a BRB too, that's just not right! LOL Thanks for the peeek though! Incredible animals!
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

I don't go by Rainbows-R-Us for nothing:

Some of this years hold back babies:

Last years holdbacks (unrelated to my stock)

HYPOMELANISTICS!!!!! Looking forward to working with these.
(third pic is a het for hypo female)

some of the bullseye babies I've produced:

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Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
4.12 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
2.1 Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 Het for Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Hypo (possible super)
1.0 BCI albino het stripe
1.0 BCI salmon hypo
0.1 BCI ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

My husband is going to hate you! LOL

We are thinking of making a nice lush Viv for a lucky BRB at some point, thanks to you, probably sooner than later! LOL

I am still new to BRBs, I have read up on them and done my research, still will keep researching untill I can't find anything else to read, but I know the basic info I guess. Still haven't looked into the morphs yet, those Hypos are GEORGIOUS!

Any tips? Feel like shipping one this way in a few months? LOL
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Sure I'll send you one, still have several nice ones for sale, including some I held back from which I've selected my keepers.

tips:

HUMIDITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They love it, need it, thrive with it, die without it!!

Don't get scared off, humidity is relatively easy to provide. Need cages that are kept proper temps, 75 - 80 degrees. Can go a little lower/higher as long as there is a good gradient. Large surface area water dishes large enough for the BRB to soak in. I use the two gallon flat fish bowl. LIMIT ventilation. My cages below have a 2' diameter vent and it may be a bit too large.

The PVC pipes are for breeding, most of the year they are blocked off but for breeding I open/configure into my breeding colonies. Last year and this year, I open up enough so the left hand sections are still seperated from the right hand ones.
Each side is now a seperate breeding colony. 1.3 on the left and 1.4 on the right. I have a second similar cage and it has 1.5 year olds, they should be ready for the 2007 breeding season. Then will have 4 seperate colonies going.
-----
Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
4.12 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
2.1 Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 Het for Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Hypo (possible super)
1.0 BCI albino het stripe
1.0 BCI salmon hypo
0.1 BCI ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Yeah, the humidity is not too much of a problem. At first it did make me think twice since I am used to ball pythons where it's not such a big deal, but I think I can handle it, although I have to admit, after thinking about it for a while, the humidity is a bonus because I would really like to make a lush viv for him/her and the plans I have would have quite high humidity anyway. I am considering rigging up a 100gallon aquarium with a custom topper. You've seen those stupid toppers for rodent aquariums right? The little upside down wire basket with a ramp and another level of living space? Well something like that, but definitly a different material and branches rather than ramps and flooring. My plan is to make it look as natural as possible, so I am planning on putting in a small pond with a waterfall or stream, with a drain of course.

I don't plan on breeding or anything, just basically a pet and a nice display. (obviously, recreating that for each snake would be total insanity! LOL)

Yes, I do tend to spoil my animals, but I have always wanted a lush Viv, and I have always wanted a BRB, but I don't plan on having more than one or two, so it just seems to fit being that they have such hige humidity requirements.

So just for my sanity, a BRB would do well in an enclosure like that right? I have tried to find conflicting info, but other than I will have to watch what kind of plants I use, I can't see why it woulden't work out.
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

I think it would be fine, but you will have to keep up on cleaning. If using live lants, the BRB(s) are not discriminating about where they leave their messes. Some would end up in your pots/dirt.
-----
Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
4.12 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
2.1 Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 Het for Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Hypo (possible super)
1.0 BCI albino het stripe
1.0 BCI salmon hypo
0.1 BCI ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Well I wasn't planning on pots, pretty much something like these samples. (not mine, but good referance to what I am looking to achieve) I know I saw someone on another forum who has a GTP in a viv similar to these and he said (and it makes sense) he just picks up what he can with a paper towel and sprays some water to clean up what's left and the plants use it for fertalizer. With the pond I want, I could wash the residue into the water and do a water change.

-----
"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Alright heres the heating element installed and insulated. Little late but better late than never. Enjoy!

Any questions feel free to ask.

Jeremy

-----
"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow Red Tailed Boas -Coming Soon-
0.1 Albino Red Tailed Boa -Coming Soon-
1.1 Hypomelenistic Red Tailed Boas
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino Red Tailed Boas
0.1 Suriname Red Tailed Boa
0.1 Anerthrystic Red Tailed Boa
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse

Thanks, I see where you're comming from now, I just thought you were going to go with the weve method, but that makes more sense. How did you wired them? I quite like the way you have it done, but I don't see a different plug for each level, how would you go about wiring them all together? Also, are you going to finnish off the bottom with another piece of tile board? Just wondering how the tub undernieth would seal.

Thanks for all the help, I really like your design!
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

See I knew you would ask thats why I kinda left it vague. Its easier to answer a question after its asked. Anyways.

First off the pics I sent are actually of the bottom view. The heat tape is attached to the top piece of tile board. But they look the same so it could get confusing. If you go back and look at the pics imagine you are in the tub looking up at the shelf above.

>"I just thought you were going to go with the weve method"

This method wouldn't work for my design the rack is actually setup like a ladder or ideally like the vision new rack.

Each shelf is independent from the others. Which is why the wiring doesn't make sense yet. Where the wire leaves the shelf it will go to a J-Box and a switch. Each shelf is wired in series with each on a switch. My collection changes so often and from cage to cage that during times of non-use I wanted a way to turn of each tub instead of the whole rack. All my cages are actually set up in the same matter.

When the whole rack is complete to the right behind a concealed front will be a switch for each tub and controlling them all dual Ranco's. It may seem extravogant but to me its easy.

I will post more photo's as the rack progresses.

I'm glad you like the design I think its rather inovative and attractive at the same time.

Thanks for looking and if you still have questions feel free to ask.

Jeremy

Notice the same camera angle and the wires out the same point. This is the tub lid side.

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"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow Red Tailed Boas -Coming Soon-
0.1 Albino Red Tailed Boa -Coming Soon-
1.1 Hypomelenistic Red Tailed Boas
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino Red Tailed Boas
0.1 Suriname Red Tailed Boa
0.1 Anerthrystic Red Tailed Boa
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse

Yeah, I did understand that it was the bottom, my question was for the tub UNDER said shelf, what would be between the tub and the exposed wood/wire, reflector, another piece of tile board?

Still a little confused as to where the wires go after they leave the rack LOL, I am elecrtically impaired! LOL I was planning on riggin up the rack on a Herpstat I, I origionally planned on the Ranco, but I would rather stay away from on/off types if possible. any Help there?

Thanks again for all the help and answering all my silly questions. I think I am going to do basically the same design if I can get away with it. I have a friend who can get discounts on materials, I am going to see what he can do for tileboard, PVC, and HC Doors and see which would be cheaper.
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

>>Yeah, I did understand that it was the bottom, my question was for the tub UNDER said shelf, what would be between the tub and the exposed wood/wire, reflector, another piece of tile board?

Yes each side of the shelf is indenical. I just have to remember which way is up.

>Still a little confused as to where the wires go after they leave the rack LOL, I am elecrtically impaired!

Well its in my nature but I will send more pics they well help explain.

>LOL I was planning on riggin up the rack on a Herpstat I, I origionally planned on the Ranco, but I would rather stay away from on/off types if possible. any Help there?

I am only using the Ranco's cause I have them I, and havn't had a problem using them yet. You are correct a proportional herpstat would be the better choice but I am working with what I have. In the future I may convert. Ideally I want my CPU to control each cage in the whole room. Thats still along way off I am just a geek with dreams,

>>Thanks again for all the help and answering all my silly questions.

Actually its the silly questions that I am here for, both Chris Harper a friend of mine and I believe by helping everyone we can only better the hobby. Thats why he more than I answers the same question 3-4 times a week. But thats what we are all here for Education either way.

>>I am going to see what he can do for tileboard, PVC, and HC Doors and see which would be cheaper.

I think HC doors is the cheapest way to go. The tileboard was slightly more when I did the math. But it offered me a ready made finish that matched my room. If i had went with HC doors I would have had to seal or coat them the tileboard price was the comprimise. In essence my tileboard shelves are just custom HC doors to my own dimensions. If I could only do fingerjoints they would be identical!

Hope that helped some.
Jeremy
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"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow Red Tailed Boas -Coming Soon-
0.1 Albino Red Tailed Boa -Coming Soon-
1.1 Hypomelenistic Red Tailed Boas
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino Red Tailed Boas
0.1 Suriname Red Tailed Boa
0.1 Anerthrystic Red Tailed Boa
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse

Well You and Chris are my heros! LOL Thanks again for all the info, those pics should straighten me out a bit! I'll get it, I am a quick learner!
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Jeremy and I have been discussing this design and I think it's great. The end result will not only be incredibly efficient but also lighter and possible even cheaper than the typical rack, use of the radiant barrier non-withstanding.

I do want to point out, however, that this rack does require more woodworking skill than the typical rack. Jeremy has that skill, no doubt. The beginner might want to try a typical rack first.

The big issue for the beginner will be keeping each shelf flat during construction and assembly of the rack. Lack of flatness leads to sliding problems and potential for escape.

Sorry if I stepped on any toes. I think Jeremy is too modest to come out and say this himself. Again, I love the design.

Thanks Chris, I think I am going to attempt to copy this design, with the help of my hubby and my dad, I think we can accomplish it. I grew up with my dad, so I have been doing projects here and there, made my first table when I was 15 and it came out pretty nice (other than my uneven staining since I had never used stain before). My dad used to be a cabinet maker, so he definitly knows what he's doing and has nearly eny tools and/or supplies we would ever need, heck in his garage I could make it all out of steel if I wanted to! LOL (not going to, but I am tempted to try out his brake) And Hubby too Woodshop in HS, which isn't saying much, but I have seen some of his "homework" and I am amazed!

I figure if I figured out (and designed myself) my moms pond and the plumbing for it (about 2500 gallons, 2 ponds connected by 4 waterfalls and a stream, attached to a settling chamber and another waterfall, Plumbing needed was insane! LOL) I can figure out pretty much anything LOL. I am more of the schetch/designer though, although I have made tables and day beds (for dogs, but when it comes to large rotts, it's nearly a human day bed), fishtank stands, and other random projects, I get frustrated faster than most people, so I tend to supervise and design.

I guess I am just an odd one, how many 7 year old girls were sneaking wood scraps and hammers from the garage and nailing random things together, then finnishing off the day catching garter snakes in the back yard? LOL Guess having 6 older brothers catches up with ya! LOL
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Cool, keep us posted on the process. I'm getting away from racks and don't forsee ever trying this design for myself. If my snake colony ever takes off I may have to build a grow up rack, but that's about it.

Just use good quality materials when building the frame of each shelf. Very important each shelf is flat. During AND after construction.

And Jeremy is all to willing to help. He's given me a ton of advice over the months since he and I have taken our discussions "off board".

Glad to see you back and hanging around...

Thanks! I love your advice, you always make me double check all my options to make sure I end up with the best of anything and everything I need. Now my main train of thought is how big I want this rack to be. Right now I have 1.1.3 BPs and 0.0.1 Kingsnake and may soon be getting 0.1.0 cornsnake and am for sure getting 3.0.0 more BPs and hopefully some females before too long (although the colubrids woulden't be in the same rack, I'll probably keep them in aquariums for the time being). I need the room to expand and we're generally poor LOL, so I have to do what I can now (when we have the money) so I have less to worry about later. I will also probably go ahead and make a hatchling rack for next srping's useage, but I'm not sure about that one yet. I am thinking it would be wise to make 2 of these racks (or one doublewide) so I can just start out with 20 or so tubs so I have the room to expand. Hopefully I will produce enough next year to make enough money to pay for more rack supplies! LOL Shoulden't be too hard as if all goes well I will be producing Pastels and some 50% het albinos and pieds, although with holdbacks and bills LOL, who knows.
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Picking the size of a rack is always difficult. You have to work around the material and the box, not to mention your space.

I start with the box I like and go from there. Just play around with the numbers until you get a design you like. I can tell you that I rarely have leftover anything when I get done with a project. If I come up with a plan that has leftovers I modify the plan unless the leftover will be useful to me somehow.

On that note, when boxes get over 32" long racks get much more expensive to build.

Just to give you an idea, the CB-70 is a very popular box for BP keepers. But it has a thick rim and sloping sides that take a lot away from the floor area. It is about 33" x 17" without the lid.

For that box I could cut FIVE shelves from a single sheet of melamine or tile-board.

Now lets say I found a box that was 32" x 16" but with the same floor area (due to a different design).

For that sized box I could cut NINE shelves from a single sheet of melamine or tile-board. That adds up, especially if the scrap pieces are not of a useful size.

That's just one example of larger boxes can use up material quickly. Unfortunately, I don't know of any boxes that are 32"x16" and built as well as the CB-70, LOL.

At any rate, that's one of the things I like about HC doors - very little waste.

Jeremy's design is also pretty good, although I've not crunched the numbers on that one.

Yeah, I was looking at the CB70s, but now I am going to be spending all day and night searching for something better! LOL

It's already hard for me to want to go with the 70s because I have a habbit of spoiling my animals and it just seems kinda cramped for the bigger BPs. I know my biggest is just over 4' but she's just starting to bounce back from her horrible past, so she's only 990grams, When she gets up past 1500 I would be hesitant to put her in something that small, right now she's in a 100gallon aquarium.

Then again... I need more space in the room, if I keep spoiling them THIS much, I will need a herp HOUSE, not a herp ROOM! LOL

If you can suggest another box, please do! LOL.... Anyone?! LOL
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Well if you don't like the CB-70 then don't use it. It's a nice box but I think the actual floor area is 28" x 14". That's less than a 20L fish tank.

My big issue with larger boxes is that they tend to be flimsy and poorly built. The Iris CB-110 is good. I think the floor area is about 34" x 16".

That's what I'd use, although I'm not sure what design/material I'd build the rack from.

Vision has a rack coming out built around a huge box. But I think it's their own design and don't know if they'd sell you just the box.

Things always seem so easy! LOL This stinks. No way would I put a BP over 4' into something that small. I liked the 110s too, but there so much more and take up so much more room, there has GOT to be something easier! LOL
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Don't know what to tell you. I suppose you could still build a rack for some colubrids and smaller BP's and then keep your larger females in cages.

Tough call.

Let me ask you this. What kind of space do you want for the species you keep?

What size for males? Females? Etc.

Well Ideally I would love to keep them all in 48"x18" min floor space LOL, but that's not logical for a rack or for the numbers I plan on having. I guess I will have to learn to deal with less, I will be visiting someone who has thousands of BPs soon, I'll see how his animals do and what the tub sizes are while I am there.

Another Idea... I could Build a rack that would fit a small number of the 110s, that way I could put the larger females in the 110s and keep the smaller females and males in the 70s. Right now I only have 2 that are any where near big enough to worry about, the rest are under 3.5', so it's not too bad.

Another question... with the HC racks, how do you go about the heating?
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

I guess I will have to learn to deal with less, I will be visiting someone who has thousands of BPs soon, I'll see how his animals do and what the tub sizes are while I am there.

I still believe your peace of mind is what's important here. Don't let me or anyone discourage you from wanting to give your snakes more space no matter how many snakes they keep.

Another Idea... I could Build a rack that would fit a small number of the 110s, that way I could put the larger females in the 110s and keep the smaller females and males in the 70s.

You could do that. Not my personal preference, but it might work.

Another question... with the HC racks, how do you go about the heating?

My room is heated with 220V radiant heaters. I heat a 17'x9' room with the equivalent amps of seven 100 watt lightbulbs. My racks only need a small amount of supplemental heat which I provide with rope light or heat cable.

I am going to shop around and look at rack materials and pre built racks and weigh my options. So confusing LOL.

LOL That's nifty, but our room is rarely over 65 naturally, although durring the day I have a small space heater that brings it up to about 75-80, could have it higher, but I have to maintain the cool end of the gradient. I will need some heating. I am wondering how I would go about heating the HC if I used them without 1) starting a fire, and 2) having the tubs snag.
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

The skins are HC doors are a fire rated product. The heat tape itself is more likely to burn.

If you tape the heat tape down the tubs should not snag. Not sure if I understand that question. That problem is common to almost any rack. Jeremy's and my Vision rack being two exceptions.

Gotcha! Thanks.
Still have alot of pricing to do and checking out the premade racks, I would almost rather buy one to not have to worry about the hastle, but I still think for versatility and price, it'd be better to build it ourselves.
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Heres the first completed shelf. Total weight a little over 7pds with heat element, insulation and wiring. Suprisingly it is very strong although I did not perform a weight test I feel this is as strong as any ply and half the weight. But with over 2hrs of dry time its a slow process.
Thanks for looking
Jeremy

Both side look the same hence the one photo.

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"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow Red Tailed Boas -Coming Soon-
0.1 Albino Red Tailed Boa -Coming Soon-
1.1 Hypomelenistic Red Tailed Boas
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino Red Tailed Boas
0.1 Suriname Red Tailed Boa
0.1 Anerthrystic Red Tailed Boa
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse

>>Adapted form Chris HC Door design.

The HC door design is not mine. I stole that from Riobravoreptiles

>>The HC door design is not mine. I stole that from Riobravoreptiles

Ya I know but you are there biggest promoter! LOL
Funny how thes things get around.

By the way for those that haven't seen my old Melamine cages still in use and in good condition.
Jeremy

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"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow Red Tailed Boas -Coming Soon-
0.1 Albino Red Tailed Boa -Coming Soon-
1.1 Hypomelenistic Red Tailed Boas
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino Red Tailed Boas
0.1 Suriname Red Tailed Boa
0.1 Anerthrystic Red Tailed Boa
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse

Definitely got my attention with that thread title. lol

Here are a few of my racks. Three are made out of melamine and the other two are made from HC doors. Now show me yours!

Thanks
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Michael Rehker

Middle Tennessee Reptiles
Website Coming Soon!

"Which of us has not been stunned by the beauty of an animal's skin or its flexibility in motion?"
--Marianne Moore

LOL I'll show you mine when I get batteries for my camera! LOL Right now my rack is a room stacked library style with aquariums, still gotta build the racks and get these out of there! LOL I need more room in my room!

Thanks for the pics!
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~