Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm sure that this subject has been exhausted and I did try to search through the forums, but I'm still unclear on the logistics of snake racks.

I understand the builing of the frame/shelving pretty well, but I get lost in the heating component. I would really like to make my own snake racks instead of shelling out hundreds of dollars for one (which seems needless when so many people build their own), yet I also would not like to burn my house down! Lol. I am in no way electrically savvy....how do you heat the shelves without racking up a huge electric bill? I'm also not looking to make a gigantic rack, only one that can fit a few young corns comfortably--maybe ultimately an 8-12 tub rack? Maybe less? Right now we only have three corns, but I really want that to change. Any help/suggestions/pictures would be great, and thanks!

go to pmherp.com .....even boaphile.........

well worth it to buy heated plastec raxx rather than build them.

start with one unit at a time......$$$$

.........DIY...go to exotic by nature site....

all are in kingsnake
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JYReptiles

Scales-N-Tails Reptiles ltd........Pa

I agree, unless you know exactly what to do and how to wire the flex-watt tape, I think it'd be cheaper to buy a rack.
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**********Misty**********
Some people spend their lives waiting for the storm and never enjoy the sunshine.

1.1.2 bearded dragons
0.1.1 water dragons
2.4.5 leopard geckos
15.23.7 corn snakes
1.1.0 jungle corns
5.2.0 king snakes
1.0.0 royal (Ball) pythons
1.0.0 Sinaloan milk snake
0.1.0 Tri-Hybrid milk snake
0.1.0 rat snake
1.1.0 Leucistic rat snakes
0.1.0 chilean rose hair tarantula
1.1.0 emperor scorpions
1.1.0 Congo African Grey Parrots
0.1.0 German Shepherd hybrid dog

Here is the rack i bought for $375. kinda expensive, but it has flex watt and an electric thermometer

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**********Misty**********
Some people spend their lives waiting for the storm and never enjoy the sunshine.

1.1.2 bearded dragons
0.1.1 water dragons
2.4.5 leopard geckos
15.23.7 corn snakes
1.1.0 jungle corns
5.2.0 king snakes
1.0.0 royal (Ball) pythons
1.0.0 Sinaloan milk snake
0.1.0 Tri-Hybrid milk snake
0.1.0 rat snake
1.1.0 Leucistic rat snakes
0.1.0 chilean rose hair tarantula
1.1.0 emperor scorpions
1.1.0 Congo African Grey Parrots
0.1.0 German Shepherd hybrid dog

Here is how I keep some of my other snakes. The second one is empty. I have not moved anyone into it yet. When I have to make room when the eggs hatch, I will move some of the yearlings into it.

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**********Misty**********
Some people spend their lives waiting for the storm and never enjoy the sunshine.

1.1.2 bearded dragons
0.1.1 water dragons
2.4.5 leopard geckos
15.23.7 corn snakes
1.1.0 jungle corns
5.2.0 king snakes
1.0.0 royal (Ball) pythons
1.0.0 Sinaloan milk snake
0.1.0 Tri-Hybrid milk snake
0.1.0 rat snake
1.1.0 Leucistic rat snakes
0.1.0 chilean rose hair tarantula
1.1.0 emperor scorpions
1.1.0 Congo African Grey Parrots
0.1.0 German Shepherd hybrid dog

misty that's a nice rack you have pictured ($375),but the fact is it could be built for less than $150.it's easier to buy but NOT cheaper.building a rack requires basic carpentary skills and help is always available on the caging forum.i guess it depends on a person's comfort level with using power hand tools.have fun!

WEll, I factored in my time, which is pretty valuable! lol. I also thought about the hastle of figuring out the flexwatt and the design, trying to find the right supplies, and ordering some of it. I love to build stuff, just don't have the time. I may build the next rack now that I have something to go off of and especially since I don't have the extra $$$$. I just build a two level shelf for my bearded dragon cages and it was pretty cheap. Cost like $35 and only took like 30-40 minutes. The only thing about the snake rack systems is the fact you have to be dead on with the measurements. Too small and the sterilite wont fit. Too big and your snakes get out. Like I said though, when I have the extra cash, I'd enjoy playing with some designs.
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**********Misty**********
Some people spend their lives waiting for the storm and never enjoy the sunshine.

1.1.2 bearded dragons
0.1.1 water dragons
2.4.5 leopard geckos
8.18.7 corn snakes
1.1.0 jungle corns
5.2.0 king snakes
1.0.0 royal (Ball) pythons
1.0.0 Sinaloan milk snake
0.1.0 Tri-Hybrid milk snake
0.1.0 rat snake
1.1.0 Leucistic rat snakes
0.1.0 chilean rose hair tarantula
1.1.0 emperor scorpions
1.1.0 Congo African Grey Parrots
0.1.0 German Shepherd hybrid dog

You could always do what I did, and heat the room. One little ceramic heater and closing off the vents keeps my spare room at perfect temp for the snakes.

Notice I say ceramic heater, not the ones with the open heated wires. Just keep any other critters you have wandering around out of the room.

Leslie

Here's a rack I made from expanded PVC. It's lightweight, sturdy and easily cleaned. I left the lids on my boxes since we all know what great escape artists corns are. I didn't heat this one since I heat the entire room but you could run 11" heat tape down the back of it very easily.

Cheryl