Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In working out how to layout my snake room for maximium efficiency, I soon realized there was a large open area in the middle. I figured this would be a great place for a workbench, but what to put underneath the work surface? Then it hit me, More hatchling slots always come in handy. So I sat down and designed this way cool unit. It is built as two seperate hatchling racks, each on wheels and they are made to be joined together into one larger unit with dowel pins and draw catches. Each rack is 8 levels of 6 per level or 48 trays per rack, 96 total for the pair. Heating is controlled by two Helix DBS 1000's. Each level has it's own run of flexwatt and 6 levels on each side can be disconnected when not needed. I also made a nice laminated top with a leftover scrap of formica from BRB cage #2.

I'm quite happy with how all my rack projects racks came out but this one is stunning.

The rack shown split apart. Overall joined size is 32" x 52" but breaks down into two 16" x 52" sections.

One really big plus with this rack is having two seperate controllers, I breed Brazilian Rainbow Boas and Boa Constrictor Imperators. This rack will allow me to keep both species in one rack and if one set of babies needs more than half the rack, np, I can rewire some of the 12 plugable shelves to the other controller.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
10.22 BRB
10.15 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

My word, that's some impressive building.
I like it!
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2.3 Leos
2.0 Beardie
1.1 Common Boa
0.1 Sav (Bosc) Monitor
1.1 Ackies
0.1 Giant BW Tegu
Thousands of Roaches, T's, and Scorps.
Wish for: Candoia Sp, Frilled D

Thank you, I did put a lot of thought and effort into this one.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
10.22 BRB
10.15 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

I have cricket breeding bins under my workbench, but the rack idea is very innovative. Again good job Dave!
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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
0.0.11 Red Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.2 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
0.0.1 Youth -coming soon-

Thanks again Jeremy, thought you guys might like it.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
10.22 BRB
10.15 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

no way man thats awesome..did you make blue prints?? if so could i still a copy i want to make one but i dont even know where to start...i would need electrical too...if you could help a look at your brilliance would be greatly appreciated =D was that smooth or what ? lol

but was flattering. I don't have any blueprints but I could put together some plans. Do you already have tubs? Or would you just get the same sterilite ones I have? As ALWAYS with rack building, getting the tubs is the FIRST step prior to cutting ANY material. You might need to tweak the plans to fit a "new and improved" tub even from the same company.

My centerpiece was designed around my available area. Could easily be tweaked larger or smaller to fit your room. Let me know what you have/want and also your woodworking skills/tools.

This is by no means a entry level project. The main difficulty is with making two seperate units that will fairly precisely fit together.

There are only 8 unique pieces in the whole project:

1) Sides - 4 each
2) heated shelves - 16 each
3) unheated shelves (tops) - 2 each
4) toe kick - 2 each (made last to fill leftover area)
5) Spacers - 32 each (I cut mine at tub height plus 3/32"
6) Cleats - 4 each (go just above bottom shelf to add strength and distribute weight)
7) backs - 2 each
8) Tops - 2 each

I also make roller bases for all my racks and stacks so I could easily move them around.

>>no way man thats awesome..did you make blue prints?? if so could i still a copy i want to make one but i dont even know where to start...i would need electrical too...if you could help a look at your brilliance would be greatly appreciated =D was that smooth or what ? lol
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
10.22 BRB
10.15 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

well im no entry level i work with wood all the time and used to work rebuilding walls and stuff and building whole rooms in houses and i just got done building a 42 inch long 22 inch wide 24 inch tall cage for my bp's that only takes 50 watt heat light to heat the whole thing ( used a double spray on coat of polyerethen) but my gf is complain cuz its huge ! and i want to get into breeding so im wanting to make some iris racks with those hanging tubs and belly heated or back wall heated...but i dont have a great understand of them yet..i want 7-9 tubs in this first rack and i want it to be single file upwards (tall an skinny but big enought to hold atleast a 6 foot snake in each compartment except the bottom 2 levels i want to put in 2 plastic containers in each level for maybe babies or smaller snakes.. i really dont understand how i would keep the heat different in each cage..or how u get the humidity (mister system)?? currently in my cage i built just to keep the humidity at a steady 60-65 percent i have a huge waterfall and a x-large dish...well i hope thats enough info for you to understand ...this is my first time building something like this so go easy lol...i really appreciate this btw

Cool, I only pointed out the novice woodworker thing so as not to get someone unfamiliar with woodworking into a project that would be over their head.

From this last post I get the feeling you're looking to build something like one of these:

Not a hatchling rack like this:

Actually the taller rack is a better starter project IMO, you could then build on experience to make one more complicated.
These racks that hold larger tubs that can hold a 6 foot snake IMO are best holding the tub lengthways. So the rack is deeper than wide, the benifit is only a smaller portion of the lidless tub is exposed when just pulled out a little. Easier to get the tub slid in with the snake that wants to get out while you're trying to get it in. With that in mind, they would not work so well with two different sizes of tubs. You could make it like two units where the bottom one pulled from the long side and the top pulled from the short side. I wouldn't go that way since for me, space is critical and now you'd have to leave two sides clear for pulling tubs out.

I'd be happy to help you design whatever you want to build, just need to nail down the tub sizes first thing, then design a rack system around them. My taller rack uses Iris CB110 tubs. They should be good for up to 6 footers as long as they were not girthy 6 footers. AKA full grown BRB's or subadult Boa's even small adult boa's would be OK depending on size of snake.

>>well im no entry level i work with wood all the time and used to work rebuilding walls and stuff and building whole rooms in houses and i just got done building a 42 inch long 22 inch wide 24 inch tall cage for my bp's that only takes 50 watt heat light to heat the whole thing ( used a double spray on coat of polyerethen) but my gf is complain cuz its huge ! and i want to get into breeding so im wanting to make some iris racks with those hanging tubs and belly heated or back wall heated...but i dont have a great understand of them yet..i want 7-9 tubs in this first rack and i want it to be single file upwards (tall an skinny but big enought to hold atleast a 6 foot snake in each compartment except the bottom 2 levels i want to put in 2 plastic containers in each level for maybe babies or smaller snakes.. i really dont understand how i would keep the heat different in each cage..or how u get the humidity (mister system)?? currently in my cage i built just to keep the humidity at a steady 60-65 percent i have a huge waterfall and a x-large dish...well i hope thats enough info for you to understand ...this is my first time building something like this so go easy lol...i really appreciate this btw
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
10.22 BRB
10.15 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

i really need to do a pricing on this too due to a lack of money right now lol buy my gf wants me to get rid of this snake cage i built..i agree its really cool but just we dont have room in the little apartment...if you would help me design it i'll even give you credit by putting your name and whatever else somewhere on the rack (maybe your site addy) and post pics on the forum here of it giving you most of the design credit..even tho i will prob. go to build it and change a few things lol but the one top pic ...i would prob. need that cut in half lol...what do you think it would cost me about ?

Np, always glad to help. Costs:

Melamine - figuring on a 6 high config (best usage of sheet goods) would need three sheets about $35 / sheet or $105

reflectix - dunno exactly, say $20

I use 1/4" mdf for backs, I've heard/read stapled reflectix can be enough to hold it square but.... $15

Edging - to make the exposed edges white - one roll about $10

Wheels - optional - I used 200 lb dual wheel casters about $15 each or $60 May be overkill for you but the 10 high w/out tubs, heat and occupants calculated weight was around 325 lbs for just the melamine.

Heat tape - 6 panels of 11" would be about $21

Misc wiring/plugs = say $20

Tubs, got mine from boas and balls, you're price for 6 would be $16 each plus 22$ish for shipping or $118

Grand total = ballpark $350 - $375 (Plus a thermostat)

If you went 4 high no wheels to cut costs, total is around $134 less or $216 - $243

>>i really need to do a pricing on this too due to a lack of money right now lol buy my gf wants me to get rid of this snake cage i built..i agree its really cool but just we dont have room in the little apartment...if you would help me design it i'll even give you credit by putting your name and whatever else somewhere on the rack (maybe your site addy) and post pics on the forum here of it giving you most of the design credit..even tho i will prob. go to build it and change a few things lol but the one top pic ...i would prob. need that cut in half lol...what do you think it would cost me about ?
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
10.22 BRB
10.15 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

what is melamine..?

That's the white film covered particle board I used, works very well and is very cost effective for racks.
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
10.22 BRB
10.15 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

...you know what i should ask all questions..whats melamine...cant i just use wood and do like i did with my cage and coat the inside with polyerethen? that would hold heat and humidity ..how much refectix..i know i can get it in 24 inch times 10 ft for about 25.00 whats mdf ? and im thinking about 1/2 inch corners putting on all 4 corners with the whole thing staind. wheels i prob. wont do i have a buff brother to carry stuff for me lol and what dimensions exactly do i need for the tubs at a moderate size? i dont want to go for like minimum size then my snakes out grow it u know
thanks
jake

Hey Jake,

Of course you could use other wood but be warned, you should use some sort of dimensionally stable wood, any plywood or particle board will be fine. Solid wood expands and contracts, with a tub rack that can be trouble, either tubs that get stuck or snakes that can escape, less of a problem escaping with larger snakes though.

You need enough reflectix to cover the back, I was making several racks so bought a large roll.

MDF is medium Density Fiberboard. Same stuff they make pegboard out of but without the holes.

Wheels are optional, all my cages and racks are in a bedroom I installed linoleum in and I want to be able to move then all around to clean and heaven forbid, be able to search for an escaped snake. Plus was much easier moving two 300plus pound racks into the house with wheels, I don't have any brothers, let alone a buff one.

Corner brackets should along with the reflectix should provide plenty of stability. You will have to add something to the back to prevent the tubs from coming out the back and making room for the snake to escape.

Whatever tubs you do get, look at floor size, not just overall dimensions. The CB110 has a pretty large floor space for a relatively shallow tub. Remember, all tubs are smaller at the floor than the top. The CB110 is about 20" x 39" at the top and at the floor is 17" x 36" or 4.25 square feet. IMO that's the minimum for a 6' non girthy snake. General rule of thumb is 1 square foot per foot of length. I stretch that for not so thick snakes AND I check every cage/tub daily and clean any that are soiled.

Also, the inside is relatively smooth, no reinforcing ribs or wheel wells. Is easier to clean!!!!
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
10.22 BRB
10.15 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

alright well i will look into the wood and i have been drawing up designs and such..i was thinking about multiple heat controllers on this encase i get diff. kinds of snakes and the bottom draws i want seperate for the others to take no chance on burning the baby snakes when they come
do you think it would be hard to have 3 heat controllers and what do you suggest for good ones that would go up to about 110 degrees max ? (thinking about snakes that i might get later that will need high heats) just the thought of creating this has got me really excited lol
unfortunatly i have no money for 3 or 4 weeks from now *sniffles*
jake

Your thermostats will be one of your larger expenses. I use the Helix DBS 1000's and yes you can have multiple controllers on one rack. I make the heat tapes on my racks in individual runs on each self for that very reason, then I can change it later or not heat an unused level. For example my two CB 110 racks:

Each rack has it's own stat, I can set one for BRB's and the other for Boa's. Then if I need for example 12 boa slots and 6 BRB slots (that leaves two empty), I could connect the cords from the two top slots in the "BRB" rack to the boa stat and disconnect two other slots from the BRB stat. I would then have the BRB rack split into three sections, six BRB slots, two Boa slots and two unused/not powered on slots.

Not having the cash on hand can be good, makes you think first and get it all planned out prior to buying/cutting anything. Cuts down on mistakes

>>alright well i will look into the wood and i have been drawing up designs and such..i was thinking about multiple heat controllers on this encase i get diff. kinds of snakes and the bottom draws i want seperate for the others to take no chance on burning the baby snakes when they come
>>do you think it would be hard to have 3 heat controllers and what do you suggest for good ones that would go up to about 110 degrees max ? (thinking about snakes that i might get later that will need high heats) just the thought of creating this has got me really excited lol
>>unfortunatly i have no money for 3 or 4 weeks from now *sniffles*
>>jake
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
10.22 BRB
10.15 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

this is what im wanting to design it would be controlled by 2 controllers ..if thats possible.. would this controller be able to control all that using only 2 of these ? http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/thermometers-and-thermostats/-/alife-1000-watt-electronic-thermostat-with-probe/
i have been told it works good by a few ppl
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Link

I actually have one of those, seems to work OK but is a on/off and I'm moving toward all proportional stats. The rack shown could even be controlled by one stat. Only need two stats if you want two different temp zones. Design would be easy but as I said before, need to get tubs FIRST then design rack around them.

>>this is what im wanting to design it would be controlled by 2 controllers ..if thats possible.. would this controller be able to control all that using only 2 of these ? http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/thermometers-and-thermostats/-/alife-1000-watt-electronic-thermostat-with-probe/
>>i have been told it works good by a few ppl
>>
>>Link
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
10.22 BRB
10.15 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

ok what size tubs do you suggest...thats the part i dont know where to start with

OK, starting with the basics, what are you going to house in the rack? I remember BP somewhere but I think that was from the rack plan. Need to start with the largest tub and work backwards.
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
10.22 BRB
10.15 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

3 full sized bp...1 male 2 females..4 medium size holdbacks at a time and up to 9 babies...that would be it so a complete bp set up

Hey Jake, I'm going to start a new thread at the top of this caging forum. I don't raise BP's and want to get the guru's involved. I can and will still help with rack design, Chris and/or Jeremy will chime in with appropriate size tubs.

>>3 full sized bp...1 male 2 females..4 medium size holdbacks at a time and up to 9 babies...that would be it so a complete bp set up
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
10.22 BRB
10.15 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Slacker!

Again, very nice and very well thought out.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Jave local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

permanent, thanks for the idea!! JK

Thanks Chris, I do feel I've been getting better at the planning part, not just jumping in a building something.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
10.22 BRB
10.15 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

You do beautiful work for sure. So now, I'm expecting more, like a gas grill top with hatchling boxes under it, so you can service babies while cooking burgers. Or maybe a sushi bar/snake rack.

Seriously, very nice job. Do you use a tablesaw or do you have access to CNC machinery for your projects?

you just get your chops busted for it... sheesh!!

Thanks, all done with my table saw, router table and hand tools.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
10.22 BRB
10.15 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats