Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone here have these racks and if so what are your opinions?

Thanks
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Steve Markevich

Updated Daily! SerpentsDen.Com

We liked it so much we have two more coming....much better than our FB's

Yes I do have one of there racks. In my opinion they are superior in quality and price compared to there competition. In the futere I will be purchasing a hatchling rack from them as well. Brian and Jason are super guys to deal with as well.

I seen them at the Hamburg Show really liked them a lot but I wanted to hear from people who actually have them in use.

Is there much of a difference in surface and air temperature from the lower levels to the uppser levels and do you have problems with and boxes sticking?

Thanks
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Steve Markevich

Updated Daily! SerpentsDen.Com

The tubs do not stick. They fit and slide very well. On my rack the bottiom level was always cooler than the rest but I think part of that was the cool air coming up from the basement. They have started insulating each level of heat tape with some type of silver insulation. I think cost wise it is an upgrade but would definetly recomend paying a bit extra for it. This will keep your bottom level temps more consistant and probably pay for itself in a couple of years because your heaters would be holding temp better and kicking on a lot less often. Hope this helps.

I did an exhaustive comparison between all the major Ball rack manufacturers and I came to the conclusion that the Vision Rack had more going for it than the ARS rack which came in 2nd place in my comparison.

There was a thread a few weeks ago where VPI, Greg Graziani and Eugene Bessette all thought that the Vision system was the best.

On top of having more features and attributes, it was also considerably cheaper than any other rack that I looked at.

I'm going to check those out as well next Hamburg Show.

Thanks
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Steve Markevich

Updated Daily! SerpentsDen.Com

The visions are on my list this summer, hopefully. The shipping cost is the dealmaker.

Mike

The CB-70 Vision rack is no cheaper (unless you're talking the cheaper quality) than the ARS. The Visions come with no tubs or thermostat. If you add these costs in you will find them very close in price. I have also heard from some who had to order additional heat cable for their Visions as the given length wasn't enough to go through all the levels. In this case the ARS comes out ahead in terms of price. In my opinion the build quality of the ARS is clearly ahead of anything on the market.
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Regards,
Bob Garby

They are opaque and that would in my opinion be much better for the Royal Pythons. The built in water bowls is a nice touch. For an "OPEN RACK" the ARS looks like the better choice. I still prefer the "CLOSED RACKS" for Royal Pythons mainly because it is closer to an actual cave or tunnel like dwelling. But it really is just a matter of preference unless the animals do not eat or breed as easily in a particular rack. Good luck with your choice. They are both attractive looking racks but in all honesty that is not their purpose. "Form follows function" when it comes to animals.

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Kyle J. Stevens
Royal Variations Ltd.

Many a false step is made from standing still.

I thought about using the ARS tubs in my Vision racks, but I am lazy and I like the clear CB 70 tubs so that I can see waht my animals are doing.

Use those tubs in your vision racks that would mean that you would not need to put all of those pieces of plastic around each tub in order to make the animals feel secure. While I think that is much better for the "hiding issue " the other thing is that with the open racks they are either open too much all around the rack "except the back or back and side wall if against either" and they can see movement and light around the room. The opaque tubs then reduce seeing anything at all anywhere which is then not really allowing for enough light in at least the front of the cage. Of course I might be just over emphasizing the animal’s needs?
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Kyle J. Stevens
Royal Variations Ltd.

Many a false step is made from standing still.

If you are concerned about the tub/rack style. You should also consider how a BP lives in nature. Typcially they live the entire day underground (in termite mounds or rodent tunnels) then only come out at night to hunt...so they really don't see daylight anyway...as long as you are opening your tubs every other day or so (which you should be anyway to make sure they are OK) then you are giving them about the same amount of daylight they would get in the wild.

Just my thoughts.

That is exactly what I am referring to. My thinking is that if they are in a closed rack they can go to the front of the cage to get closer to the light when they choose to do so just like in a termite mound for example. Having to wait for the tub to be slid open every other day or so is not allowing the animals to move around as they like. The closed rack is far closer to the termite mound or hole in the ground. I use the Rhino Racks and they are almost 37 inches deep which allows for the tunnel or termite hole effect and sometimes they hide more than others and sometimes they tend to look out at the light and watch from their secure enclosed cage. The rack has two rows of heat tape per cage and they can be independently used or together. The bottom rack can use both for more heat if needed.
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Kyle J. Stevens
Royal Variations Ltd.

Many a false step is made from standing still.

...rack from them. Bottom line: I would have bought ALL my racks from them if they were around years back! No kidding. If you want to save some money, then skip this rack. If you want the 'cleanest' and what I consider the nicest rack made currently, buy one (or as many as you need). The finish work on the rack is simply crazy! NO rough corners on anything, ultra 'smooth' powder coating, heavy duty Iris type boxes, every level fits together well and a Helix thermostat to boot! I'm MORE than happy with the one I have. In my opinion, other (plastic) racks seem pretty cheap compared to this. Personally, I'm happier spending the extra money for something I know will never fall apart and is built to near perfect specs. I think ARS is going to change a lot of minds with the quality of their racks. The only holdback is that they don't have 'large' tray racks yet (like the 4' Freedom Breeder which I need two or three of soon).

Matt

>>Does anyone here have these racks and if so what are your opinions?

Beyong the superior build quality. What finally sold me were all the free "options" once you get the rack.

If you want a cave like affect- you got it. They come with semi-clear or gray tubs.
You can have a build in water dish or not..and they offer water dish inserts so you just pop one out and throw it away...talk about convenience and it is super sanitary.

And the best part...everyone talks about the top vs. bottom having different temps on some racks...well ARS has independent heating on each tube (ie. each tub spot has it own heat strip that plugs into a master power strip). That means in theory you could run an independent thermostat for every tub if you were so inclined...find another rack that can claim that.

Very nice and the information is much appreciated.
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Kyle J. Stevens
Royal Variations Ltd.

Many a false step is made from standing still.

I really like the 3 wide ars Rack I bought and I am sure the single wide one is just as nice. I thought about getting the Vision ones but I really do not like the CB70 made buy IRIS. The tub that you get from ARS is made way better than the typical cb70 and you can get a molded in bowl if you want that. It was worth the extra money as far as I am concerned. I also think it comes with a Helix DBS for the list price on the website so that is a 150 addition and I am pretty sure the vision ones do not come with a thermostat.

Hope this helps Ryan Young

That tub with the molded bowl looks very nice. Congrats on your rack and thanks for the information.
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Kyle J. Stevens
Royal Variations Ltd.

Many a false step is made from standing still.

that the ARS rack comes with a Helix thermostat? I did not see it mentioned on their website, although I may have overlooked it. Thanks for your help.
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Louis Kirkland
Cornerstone Reptiles

Helix DBS-1000 with ARS mounting bracket included with each complete rack purchase.

np
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Steve Markevich

Updated Daily! SerpentsDen.Com

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Louis Kirkland
Cornerstone Reptiles

I don't have any at this time but I am planning on switching to them as soon as I can. I base my opinion on a buddy of mine that has them, I like the way the look and the type of boxes you can get with them, VERY NICE UNIT. Hope that helps, Thanks David
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WRONG... The only time I was WRONG is when I thought I was WRONG but I was really RIGHT.....LOL...LOL...LOL

Well, I recently got some ARS.
My opinion, is that they are the best rack out there as far as build, and quality go.
Now some may prefer price, and light weight features of the visions, but to me.. I prefer the quality and attention to detail the ARS provides.
It is a very sturdy, well built easy to maintain rack.
I love it, and to me... is well worth the couple extra dollars.
Its like comparing a hummer to a yugo.. my opinion..

Mike