Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i was wondering what rack systems you all swear by, i am in the market and just wanna get ideas of what you all like and why, i keep only kings and one pair of corns so i wanna know what you all think would be the best,

Adam

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1.2 THAYERI
1.2 SPLENDIDA (1.0 ALBINO/ 0.2 HYPO)
1.3 ALTERNA
1.1 CORNS SNAKES (0.1 SNOW/ 1.0 STRIPEDSUNGLOW)
0.1 REDFOOT TORTOISE
1.0 LEOPARD TORTOISE
0.1 PYXIE FROG
0.0.1 TADPOLES

i build my own racks, this one took only a few hours to put together.. then another day or two for the stain and poly to dry and stop stinking..

I am not sure you save much money though.. This rack cost about $500 including, wood hardware, 10 heat pads and clip sets, wheels, Power strip, stain/poly, and sweater boxes..

I also have a lidless hatchling shoebox rack.. lidless makes it much easier to clean and maintain but i feel safer with the tops.. i guess thats a matter of what you like better.

I know Tom (Nocternel) just started using the new vision rack and he loves it... maybe tom will have some input for you??

~ Mike Russo

I use rosys racks.
http://www.kingsnake.com/jvankirk/jvk_racks.html

I love them they are heated and have containers that are reallly hard to break.

I have 5 rack systems from Jasons Jungles. They have been great and are available in lots of options depending on your needs. They averaged around 300 each.

Thank you for the reference !!

I'm not the OP but they have exactly what I am looking for.

I have a rack from them as well and I don't love it.

It does not get a good gradient from front to back. Its also really heavy.

Aside from those issues it is well built and the clear sideways tubs make for nice viewing.

i wish i could tell you on the forum the one i swear AT! big breeder turned cage maker, get his shoebox rack system and it leaks florida kingsnakes like a sieve! i am not talking tiny scarlet king hatchlings either... my 12 year old melamine rack system still doesn't do that. and surprisingly there is no recourse. be very very careful when you go shopping, and don't shop just on the web. see it and touch it and kick it before you buy it.
daveb

I have the Vision rack 1756/1754 It's good for the money and light. You have to crank the bolts down tight for a good fit.

Animal plastics are a bit more expensive and heavier but of higher quality. Boaphile plastics has good single cages.
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2.4 E. prasina
3.3 L. m. thayeri
1.1 A. stimsoni
1.1 C. t. roseofusca
1.2 L. t. gaigeae

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
Aesop, The Lion and the Mouse
Greek slave & fable author (620 BC - 560 BC)

The best for me are the ones i build, like this combinition rack to house kings of different sizes.

I like the AP racks. Easy to put together. inexpensive and well built. I like this little Iris CB110 rack. Nice and roomy for some subadult Gaigeae.

Agreed on the home-built racks, I use similar sized tubs as the bottom ones in your rack, but have them inserted longways to get more of the feel of an aquarium type setup, and with the deep 15" high tubs it works well. I use the Cambro boxes, which are clear but expensive...none of the ready made racks have looked too great to me, just my opinion

Do you design/build your racks to accomodate lids, i have several psycho snakes that go balistic in the hunger mode when i slide out their tubs.

I use my tubs without lids, havent had any psycho snakes yet!! I just bought some large tubs with lids that have latches, and those I will sit on open shelves from Ikea after I get them drilled and set up for heat, etc. I have never had a snake escape from one ofmy racks, but have 2 on the loose right now that escaped from their feeding tubs!!!

Scott

I might design a lidless hatchling rack sometime.

Its easy, I have built 6 rack systems so far. I am not a woodworking expert by any means, but I take my time and each rack is better than the last. I have my smaller adults in an "Aquarium" style rack of my own design. Cambro polycarbonate clear boxes, 26" x 18" x 15", set 18" deep so it looks like a bank of aquariums with branches and realistic look. I will post pictures one of these days...

Scott

adam your albino DK looks good,i also have a pair from don that are doing well,BTW i talked to a guy that has the texas strain of albino's and i might get a pair from him.oh yea back to your Q.

in my experience you can build a rack for much less than buying.i go to a cabinet shop and have them cut the pieces and i assemble.this works great for me.perfect cuts,no waste and higher quality melamine than you can get at the home centers.i have built six racks this way.

if you have to have plastic than buying might be a better option as cost saving is not nearly as much.

i guess there'a a lot of things to look at,if you deceide to build there's a lot of experienced builders on the caging forum.have fun! TWH