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For the best health of the snake, do you feel it is better for themto be housed in a rack system with basic set up of heat tape on back of drawer, water bowl and deep substrate..OR...is it better for them to have the openness of an aquarium with multiple hides and a UTH and stuff to climb around on??
I am torn on this one and just wanting others thoughts and opinions..thanks!
Hi
I use Racks and Vivs.
My Racks are setup with 1 quarter of the tubs on heat mats a good depth amount of substrait and two hides one either end.
My vivs are setup very much the same but incorperating limbs to clim on.
I see no difference in health whatsoever, i handle all my snakes at least twice a week and if i havent got the time to handle all of them my kids chip in and they love it.
Really the health of your reptile is down to you, Feed them well, clean them well , and regular handleing, keeps your snakes healthy.
I agree that it doesn't matter much. They both have advantages and disadvantages. The main question is do you have enough snakes for it to be convenient to have a rack system. Rack systems provide safety for the snake because of it being enclosed, and easy cleaning. While the aquariums provide the ability to see your snake easy, and for the snake to be able to climb. It is completely up to you.
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thanks Josh
0.0.2 sandfish skinks,
0.0.1 texas long nose luckily eating mice
0.0.1 vine snake
1.1.0 turtles
0.1.0 greek tortoise
1.0.0 ball python
1.0.0 corn snake
1.1.0 childrens python (one needs a vet please close to 48301 or 48302 any suggestions?)
1.0.0 het for albino san diego gopher snake
0.0.1 rosehair tarantula
0.1. black and white kenyan sand boa
mice colony almost able to keep up with snakes.
and what ever lizards my vine snake hasn't eaten yet
As others have already said, your decision will be based on personal preferences. You still have to consider daily maintenance either way and decide what is aestheticlly appealing to you. If you are only working with a small group of animals and have the time, you might consider housing them in nice naturalistic displays. If you are maintaining a large group of animals, rack systems would certainly be the way to go, as many of us would agree.
Also keep in mind most all species need different requirements. Some snakes do better in set-ups designed specifically for that species. Others are fairly hardy and adjust to most arrangements.
I currently keep a large collection of nearly 200 milksnakes and locality gray-banded kingsnakes in nothing but rack systems. Having racks with this many snakes generally makes feeding and cleaning a snap.
Good luck in whatever you decide.
Nathan Wells
I think Nathan is right on point. If you have a really large collection, I don't see how you can use anything but a rack system. If you have a small collection, like mine, you may choose more of a display set up which takes up more space but is more pleasing to the eye.
Either way, I think basic is the way to go without alot of "stuff" in the cage. A few hide boxes and a water bowl is enough. The more stuff you put in there (branches, rocks,etc.) the harder it is to keep clean in my opinion.
Dave
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Dave Niles
I like having both, and switching my 5 or 6 "Display" snakes out for others as I feel the urge to look at something new.
Racks are WAY easier to keep clean...
Dave, Love your Black Milks and I see you keep them in 4' cages?
I'm keeping my large adults in 4' Visions and the others in various Racks.( Iris CB110,Sterlite #1752,#1754 depending on size)
A lot of good common sense answers I think.
Bob 
Thanks Bob. I do keep my black milks in 4 foot cages. I enjoy watching them stretch out and they move around quite alot actually.
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Dave Niles
agree...
... ive only got 3 mountain kingsnakes, which stay small anyways. so i prefer vivarium setups. kings/milks are so active at twilight that I would feel bad if all they had was a small container to do laps in. But, they will still be healthy in tubs.
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1 Eastern Blue Tongue Skink
2 Tarahumara Mountain Kingsnakes - Knoblochi
1 Thayer's Kingsnake - Thayeri
2 Golden Greek Tortoises
1 Pyxie Frog - 14 years old
Very Nice rack Nathan
Could you perhaps show a few pictures of the shelves? ventilation? How have you made this?
This is a picture of one of my racks
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Regards
Jan Grathwohl
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