Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 6 balls right now in tubs stacked and when they get alittle bigger i will be looking to build a rack. If I want to build a rack with malamine shelves what tubs should I be looking for that are readily available? I ask this because I dont know how large the shelves are made they will come from home depot or lowes. I want to make the rack with malamine shelves and maybe plywood sides. I went to loews and saw a tub that measured about 34.5L x 16.8W x 6H and found a shelf that fit it perfectly only thing was the tub had like these 3 raised areas like in those aluminum roasting pans you can get from the corner bodega, and i didnt know if this was bad or good.

I use sterilite tubs. The 1752, 1754, and 1756. The smallest is the 6 qt shoe box for hatchlings. The other two are 15 quart and 32 quart. I house balls, corns, kings, hognose, etc. in these with no problems. These are readily available, modest price, durable, etc. Whatever tub brand and size you decide on, I highly recommend that you buy enough to change out your rack 2-3 times. This makes it much easier when cleaning and avoids the major problem of product change. Every so often a box will be changed or discontinued. Even slight changes may require a rebuilding or replacement of your rack. When I replaced my old racks I kept all my old sterilite boxes, 30 . That's more than enough for another rack, incubator, etc.

So the 32qt tubs are large enough for balls into adulthood? Lately I been seeing alot of these 41qts for balls. I beleive someone here built a rack with malamine precut shelves and plywood or some othe lightweight wood, for those who did what size tub did you use and what size pre made shelf was you able to get. If anyone have pics of racks like this it would be good. The commercial racks are really $$$$ and I been waiting for someone in my area to post one for sale but no luck. Im looking to build something simple as I only have a drill and circular saw and dont have much experience building.

I went to loews and saw a tub that measured about 34.5L x 16.8W x 6H and found a shelf that fit it perfectly only thing was the tub had like these 3 raised areas like in those aluminum roasting pans...

Where were these raised areas? On the bottom of the tub or on the lip that runs around the top? Sometimes tubs with locking handles have a recessed area on the upper lip of the tub. Is that what you're talking about? That can be a problem for security but those gaps are easily filled in.

If the raised areas are on the floor, this is no big deal. I prefer tubs that are totally flat but this is not common.

I do try to avoid tubs that have four or six raised circular "feet" on the bottom, but even these will work.

If you found a precut melamine shelf that fit over this box perfectly (hopefully it's at least 1/4" longer and wider) then you should have an easy to build rack. I would not drop down to the 32 qt. tub for an adult ball python.

Im looking to build something simple as I only have a drill and circular saw and dont have much experience building.

You don't need much more than this. I do recommend a carpenter's square, an edge-guide to run the saw against, some clamps to hold the edge guide, and a decent pre-drill/counter-sink bit.

-----
Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

yes the raised areas are on the bottom. The shelf isnt 1/4" wider its actually a tad bit smaller which would make the tub fit snug on the sides in a rack. Wow I dont really know what a counter sink looks like. Does anyone know if they make pre made shelves that fit a 41q. tub? All 6 of my balls are less then 2ft. except one is about 2.5ft but I think pythons grow fast thats why I want to build for adults. What are the measurements for 41qt tubs?

yes the raised areas are on the bottom.

No big deal then. Just about every tub has something like this to stiffen things up.

The shelf isnt 1/4" wider its actually a tad bit smaller which would make the tub fit snug on the sides in a rack.

Don't use that shelf then or find a more narrow box. You don't want the sides getting smushed in a bit in a rack.

Wow I dont really know what a counter sink looks like.

Go look in the drill bit section at any hardware store. They are designed to predrill a hole for the screw, to prevent splitting, and to leave a recessed area for the screw head.

Does anyone know if they make pre made shelves that fit a 41q. tub? What are the measurements for 41qt tubs?

I don't have the exact measurements with the lid off, but I believe they are just about 34"x16"x6". There might be a shelf that is bigger than that, I don't know.
-----
Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)