Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I need some suggestions on how should I build a rack system. Here are some bullets on what i am looking for:

-5 or 6 levels
-Tubs that are around 31/2'x 2'x1/2' in dimensions
-Can have heat tape or mats added
-Not sure on wood (melamine, ply, etc...) Suggestions?
-Looking to spend around 200 - 250 on this project

Any help and suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I want to start this in about a month or so. I have access to all the tools so that not s problem. Thanks guys.
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1.3 BCI
0.2 White Spot Geckos
0.0.1 Marbled Gecko
0.0.1 Flowerhorn
0.0.1 Green Terror

-5 or 6 levels

Assuming you want a tub that is not excessively deep, this should be easily accomplished in a 4' tall rack. Since lumber tends to come in 4' increments this is good. Will help you save money.

Tubs that are around 31/2'x 2'x1/2' in dimensions

What species is this for? One problem with the super large tubs is that they are a bit more fragile than regular tubs. So you build a rack system around them and by the time the boxes start to crack they are discontinued and you rack is useless. I like the Iris boxes for large tubs racks because the boxes are very tough. I use a large Iris box in my racks and they are great.

Another problem you need to consider is the actually floor area of the boxes. With the thick rim around the top and the sloping sides there often is not much floor space left. That's why I asked what species this is for.

There is the Iris CB-110 tub at about 39"x20", but I think the Iris CB-75 at 22"x37" would be even better. Both are available from ReptileTubs.com. Great guys, great company.

Can have heat tape or mats added

Is this part of your $250 total? Regardless, adding it later is no big deal. Although you might want to account for it now if you prefer having it recessed into a groove, etc.

Not sure on wood (melamine, ply, etc...) Suggestions?

3/4" melamine for the shelves is hard to beat, despite its weight. You can use 1/2" plywood for the sides and leave the back open to save on weight.

Looking to spend around 200 - 250 on this project

I think this is doable. If for that price you need to buy the heat source and thermostat then you might have trouble.

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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

Hey Chris, thanks for the info. This setup is for 4 boas and I want to keep the option open for another one open. I know that they require at least 4 ft.x 2ft so if i can find that length, that would be perfect. So in saying that 5 levels would be perfect.

I have not incorporated a heat source or a thermostat into the budget, that would be seperate, but i mentioned it to get a better idea for the height and overall dimensions of the system.

Would it be better to build with the smaller side of the tub as the front or the longer side as the front? I would think the smaller side of the tub to be a better front as a means of escape prevention. Opinion?

As far as the floor space, i have a spare room w/ ample coverage. Thats not really a problem.

I checked out the site that you reffered me to and I like both. What would you use for boas?

Would you say heat tape on a thermostat would be a better choice that heat mats on thermostat? (cheaper and dependable?)

Thanks again Chris, for you time.

-Shawn B.
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1.3 BCI
0.2 White Spot Geckos
0.0.1 Marbled Gecko
0.0.1 Flowerhorn
0.0.1 Green Terror

Just throwing in my 2 cents here, but I myself use racks for yearlings and smaller boas up to about 3' maybe a little bigger but it depends. I use melamine cages for larger boas.

My larger rack uses the sterilite 41qt tub, not the best but at $5 a pop I made do. If you do go with an Iris tub from Reptiletubs.com I would recomend a CB-70 or CB-110 unless you want a taller tub for display purposes.

My rack I built for a little less than $300 but that included tubs, heat and a thermostat (I actually removed it so the total probally would have been less). The rack I built is actually a lot of work and didn't turn out the best. Not bad for a first generation.

You can probally do something similar with melamine shelves and ply sides. I would also slide the tub in width wise so the shelves are not as wide but can be deep this saves space IMO.

By the way I used 11" flexwatt as my heat sorce, my room stays about 80* I used Dimmers as my heat control rather than useing a thermostat. I check temps everyday or so with a heat gun.

Just a few Ideas.

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Jeremy

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

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
0.0.1 Youth -coming soon-

of the cages you have pictured here (wood face, white melamine, sliding glass). Does anyone make anything like that commerically? If so, please let me know. Is there anything you would have done different?

Thanks for your reply.

SSSammy

>>Does anyone make anything like that commerically?

I don't think so, I make my own, but I could be wrong.

>Is there anything you would have done different?

Ya the 4 stack pictured uses back and side heat. After nearly 2 years of use it works great but I think a radient heat panel would have been more efficiant.

Another thing, and this goes with all melamine, is they are hard to maintain. Meaning the melamine is not resistant enough to urates and humidity. I have a solution in work, Chris Harper another regular, hooked me up with some vinyl film (like window decals are made of). This film laid over the melamine will provide a much more durable finish.

The cages are still in really good shape but I take a good amount of time to make sure they stay clean and in the proper condition.

Other than that I wouldn't change a thing, maybe a different stain in the future. LOL

Thanks for the comments.

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Jeremy

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

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
0.0.1 Youth -coming soon-

Would you be willing to share your design plans/blueprints with someone that would like to make something very similar? If so, please forward to my personal e-mail. If not, no worries, I understand.

Thanks,

SSSammy

I would love to share the design however, there are no plans or blueprints of any kind. I have a rather eccentric photographic memory, turns out the design is so simple I never needed any plans. I would be willing to share information, but blueprints I am sorry to say I have none.

Good Luck
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Jeremy

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

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
0.0.1 Youth -coming soon-

Just post the cage sizes you desire and what species will be housed in them. Jeremy and I can easily come up with a "cut list" for you to take to a local cabinet shop. All you need to do is assemble and that's not too hard.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

Hey guys, can you also throw something my way. Some sort of plan as far as dimensions and supplies for what i have specified above. This would be greatly appreciated. If you dont mind of cource. Thanks.

-Shawn B.
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1.3 BCI
0.2 White Spot Geckos
0.0.1 Marbled Gecko
0.0.1 Flowerhorn
0.0.1 Green Terror

If it's for a rack we'll I'd really need to have the box in hand.

I'm headed off for work and then won't be around for a few days. Remind me next week.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

we'll I'd...

Don't know what I was thinking there.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

Yeah, i would rather build a rack, but what do you think is better for long term. My snakes are not that big right now and i have a custom enclosure for the 6 footer which is 4'. i would go with the cb-75 tubs if anything. Let me know. Thanks again for your time and help.
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1.3 BCI
0.2 White Spot Geckos
0.0.1 Marbled Gecko
0.0.1 Flowerhorn
0.0.1 Green Terror

I might be able to help but need to know how you want the rack to be setup. By this I mean sliding on rails (the better option) or sliding between the shelves. Lids or lidless, width wise or length wise and of course the box you intend to use. I can give you cut dimensions for a rack without knowing the box but it will be an equation with a variable you fill in.

Hope I can help.
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Jeremy

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

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
0.0.1 Youth -coming soon-

for a rack i would want it to be lidless, between shelves, smaller side as the front (widthwise i guess), and the cb-75. The rack will be for grow outs and a couple of dwarfs. Would it be smarter to just build the melamine cages instead? Thanks again.
-----
1.3 BCI
0.2 White Spot Geckos
0.0.1 Marbled Gecko
0.0.1 Flowerhorn
0.0.1 Green Terror

>>Would it be smarter to just build the melamine cages instead?

I built my melamine enclosures first, then the rack. Snakes seem to always get bigger never smaller. LOL
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Jeremy

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

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
0.0.1 Youth -coming soon-

True, true. Maybe i could build both. How much was it to build that 4 tier?? melamine setup? But you are deinately right i should build that first. TY
-----
1.3 BCI
0.2 White Spot Geckos
0.0.1 Marbled Gecko
0.0.1 Flowerhorn
0.0.1 Green Terror

The melamine was like $90-100 the tileboard $20 glass was about a $168 the pine I had laying around. I ordered ever inch of glass track the company had cost was unknown (I forgot)

Silicon, stain and poly I consider continous cause I buy a lot so I had them as well. Didn't really track the cost didn't care.

Sorry
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Jeremy

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

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
0.0.1 Youth -coming soon-

Well I'm not a Boa constrictor keeper, but I don't see a CB-75 rack being all that helpful unless 1) you need a grow-off rack and/or 2) you keep the "dwarf" locales.

Maybe I'm not following the thread very well since it's getting long, but I'm having a hard time following exactly what you need this rack for. Is it for adult Boa constrictors?
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

I scanned the posts and as far as I can gather, he has 4 boas now, would like option for 5th and aslo looking at this as a long term plan.

First, if this is for other than dwarf species, will probably not be large enough. I myself am planning a couple of racks around the CB110 tub, It's pretty good sized but definately NOT large enough for an adult Female boa. Might be large enough for a male if fed to keep smallish. I will be using mine for grow out tubs and for some of my Brazilian Rainbow Boas.

If you're looking for long term caging for Boa's these tubs are NOT large enough. I don't have the numbers with me but as I remember it the floor area of the CB110 was somewhere between 4 and 5 square feet. Even the opening in the rack shows how the tub is too small for a adult boa, the shelf is 20.25 x 40 or 5.6 square feet and that does not take into consideration the slope of the sides.
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Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
2.7 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (adult breeders)
2.5 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (sub-adult from 2004)
4.8 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (sub-adult from 2005)
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 Salmon / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Salmon (possible super)
1.0 BCI Albino het stripe
1.0 BCI Salmon
0.1 BCI Ghost
0.1 BCI Super salmon, possible jungle
1.0 BCI Salmon, possible jungle
0.1 BCI Super Ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Here's a picture that shows how much floor space is lost due to the thick rim and sloping sides of typical tubs. This is an Iris CB-110 and it does not slope as much as other tubs.

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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

Actually, I think it does slope as much, but because it's not so tall, the sides have not sloped in as far and lost as much floor space.

AGAIN, IMO the C 110 is NOT adequate for an adult boa! Only exceptions would be:

Dwarf island type species
Raise ups (not full grown)
MAYBE small breeder males.
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Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
2.7 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (adult breeders)
2.5 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (sub-adult from 2004)
4.8 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (sub-adult from 2005)
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 Salmon / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Salmon (possible super)
1.0 BCI Albino het stripe
1.0 BCI Salmon
0.1 BCI Ghost
0.1 BCI Super salmon, possible jungle
1.0 BCI Salmon, possible jungle
0.1 BCI Super Ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Dave,

If you have a CB-110 handy could you measure for the floor area for us? I know it was posted here a while ago but I can't remember who posted it.

Regardless, thanks for sticking your head into this thread. I've not kept a Boa in well over 10 years, maybe longer.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

I have one at home, hoping to get sent home early for the three day weekend!!

I'll post the floor dimensions later today.
-----
Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
2.7 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (adult breeders)
2.5 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (sub-adult from 2004)
4.8 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (sub-adult from 2005)
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 Salmon / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Salmon (possible super)
1.0 BCI Albino het stripe
1.0 BCI Salmon
0.1 BCI Ghost
0.1 BCI Super salmon, possible jungle
1.0 BCI Salmon, possible jungle
0.1 BCI Super Ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

OK, I just measured the floor of my CB110......

17" x 36" or 4.25 square feet.

IMO basic rule of thumb is need 1 square foot of floor minimal per foot of boa, can be less for thinner animals ie BRB's will get 6 feet and a 5 footer could be housed in minimal 4 square feet of cage. Or for girthy animals you could need more.
-----
Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
2.7 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (adult breeders)
2.5 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (sub-adult from 2004)
4.8 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (sub-adult from 2005)
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 Salmon / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Salmon (possible super)
1.0 BCI Albino het stripe
1.0 BCI Salmon
0.1 BCI Ghost
0.1 BCI Super salmon, possible jungle
1.0 BCI Salmon, possible jungle
0.1 BCI Super Ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Dave, thanks for the help. My female has her own enclosure already. I want 5 sections for my other 3 since they are relatively small. I do plan to get a couple of hoggs. My male is just 4 ft and my females are 4 1/2 and 3 1/2. Would this be a waste of time and should i stick with melamine cages (4 ft long)? Thanks again.
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1.3 BCI
0.2 White Spot Geckos
0.0.1 Marbled Gecko
0.0.1 Flowerhorn
0.0.1 Green Terror

Chris, these are not for adult, i have only one adult and she is ina 4' custom enclosure. TY
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1.3 BCI
0.2 White Spot Geckos
0.0.1 Marbled Gecko
0.0.1 Flowerhorn
0.0.1 Green Terror

Thank you so much for offering to help me out like that. That is really cool of you both. I was generally thinking of a stack of four of five cages 4'L x 2'W x 1'H (a relatively standard cage size I think). The cages would be used to house adult Hogg Is boas, Dwarf Dums, adult Jungles, etc. (mid sized, primarily terrestrial snakes). I want something that I will not want or have to upgrade for a long long time. Something that I can be proud of to show off the collection.

Thanks again, you rock!

SSSammy

Before I think of the numbers we need to know a few things;

-Are these going to be melamine cages with solid front litter dams or all melamine.

-3/4" I assume

-I actually recommend an opening a minimum of 12" anything less and its a pain to work with.

-your measurements inside or outside dimensions, I build my interiors at 23.75" deep exactly what the local newspaper is cut to, just an idea.

-your tool inventory

Hope thats it.
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Jeremy

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

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
0.0.1 Youth -coming soon-

I agree with Jermey, an opening of 12" is about a minimum.

Part of the decision here includes...

1) How tall do you want the lower substrate dam to be? If you'll be using something like cypress mulch or anything that will be poured to some depth you'll need at least a couple of inches.

2) Do you want the full face frame look or just a lower melamine substrate dam?

If you wanted the full face frame look and used 1x3's to build it you'd be looking at a cage at least 17" tall to achieve the 12" opening in the front. And even then the face frame would only provide 1.75" of substrate dam. That is not very much if you plan to use a mulch and have sliding glass doors.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

that far ahead. I would, however, take all of your advice. I liked the look of the ones posted. Specifically, the all wooden fronts on the remaining melamine backing, sides, etc. Sliding glass doors is important. A deep (3" substrate dam is also important. I would defer the actual height and depth to your recommendations/specifications. I liked the idea of the inside dimensions accomodating the size of a sheet of newspaper as I would likely use newspaper from time to time.

Thanks.

Sorry, I somehow missed this post. I was gone for a while.

So you're looking for the basic 4x2 melamine cage to house Boas and you want the real wood face frame?

What tools do you have access to and are proficient at using?
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

I know that they require at least 4 ft.x 2ft so if i can find that length...

You won't find a box with that floor area. ReptileTubs.com does sell a large Xmas tree storage box, the VE175, but even it is not that large. I think you're better off with cages for adults and then finding a box for subadults if you need it.

Would it be better to build with the smaller side of the tub as the front or the longer side as the front? I would think the smaller side of the tub to be a better front as a means of escape prevention. Opinion?

For either of the CB boxes I recommended I don't think it would really matter as they are very sturdy boxes. But for other products I do think having the boxes slide in length-wise might be better.

As far as the floor space, i have a spare room w/ ample coverage. Thats not really a problem.

That's not what I meant. I meant the floor space of the tubs. For example, I use the CB-80 box from ReptileTubs.com. The outside dimension is listed at 31.5" x 17.75" on their site. But since the box has a thick rim around the top and the slides slope, the actual floor area of the box is more like 27" x 14" -- way less than 31.5" x 17.75".

With any box you see online I would recommend subtracting at least 3" from both the width and length in order to estimate the actually length x width of the floor.

In summary, I think a rack is a poor choice for adult Boa constrictors, at least the typical types. Some of the "dwarf" species may do okay.

For now I think you're better off building some cages.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

I've been kind of busy, but noticed the CB110 thread. I'm enjoying the AP CB110 rack and it's working VERY well for my subadult Black Milks but IMHO I can't picture putting a Boa in one. Hope all is well.
Bob.