Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering what size of tubs people are using in their slider racks for breeding BPs. It seems like the most popular size is the 24 X 16 X 6 (approximately) Rubber Maid tubs but that hardly seems large enough for an adult ball. If anyone is using anything larger, where did you get the slider rack and tubs from? I am currently using custom built wooden cages (hate them) and would like to switch to a slider unit. Thanks for your input.

Mark

I am using some HUGE slider racks that I got from a company called Animal Plastics, for breeding Balls and Leos. They use Sterilite boxes that are 36 inches deep, 16 inches wide, and 6 inches high. I agree with you that the smaller, 24 inch rubber maids are just too cramped for adult balls.

>>I am using some HUGE slider racks that I got from a company called Animal Plastics, for breeding Balls and Leos. They use Sterilite boxes that are 36 inches deep, 16 inches wide, and 6 inches high. I agree with you that the smaller, 24 inch rubber maids are just too cramped for adult balls.
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JMHO, FWIW, YMMV.

Here is the link
Animal Plastics Web Page

>>Here is the link
>>Animal Plastics Web Page
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JMHO, FWIW, YMMV.

Thanks David
I have never seen those before. How is their construction/durability?
Anyone else using them?

Thanks everyone for your input

I have 2 of Animal Plastics racks, the style I have is 7 slots high and either holds 1 28QT Rubbermaid or 2 small sweater box sized Rubbermaids in each slot (in other words each rack holds 7 large tubs or 14 sweater box sized tubs). The plastic Mark (owner) uses is very durable and does not bow as some other types of plasics out there will. I plan on getting a few more racks(hopefully with belly heat, which they are working on now) because they are space efficient,strong,and realistically priced. My Ball Pythons are doing well in them so I can't complain! Anthony McCain-McCain's Reptiles. www.mccainreptiles.com

Thanks for the compliments and the inquiries. If you have any other direct questions feel free to email us or post, we would be happy to answer any questions.

I will stay out of the posts as much as possible, I definately don't want to abuse forums and use them for advertising. I will answer questions if asked.

Anthony, I will return your call tonight, I think you will like the new belly heat design.

Thanks
Mark Mertens
Animal Plastics, Inc

I am planning on going to the next Daytona show, will you have your cages there? Or any of the other upcoming shows?
Also, do the slider racks need to be hooked up to a rheostat or do you just plug them in and go?

Thanks
By the way -- cool cages

Mark,

We will be at the Daytona show, I can't wait!!!
Email me and I will give you are booth number.

Second, the back heat model when the room temperature is at 70-72 degrees keeps the back of the tub at about 93 degrees and steadily decreases to 86 degrees about 7 inches in.

I still would always hook them up to a rheostat or thermostat.
The belly heat model will definately need to be hooked to a rheostat or thermostat.

Thank you
Mark Mertens
Animal Plastics, Inc

I have a question also. Really like what I see. I am ready to order a 60" rack with belly heat, I think. I want to use it for cornsnakes mostly. Which would better? Back panel or the belly heat. Also, how soon can you ship after I place the order? Also, if I order the tubs from you what is the charge per tub? Thanks.

Great, before I recommend the back or belly heat I need to know what your room temperatures would be. Also, in the winter are you cooling your cornsnakes or will they be heated all year?

If you ordered the back heat we could ship within 5-6 days, if you want the belly heat we are still waiting on the next batch of heat cables to arrive. We expect them early next week, which means we should be able to ship out May 30th.

I will have to find out the exact prices of the tubs, they run me between $5 and $6. They are a very common size tub. Let me know and I can tell you were to find them so you can avoid the cost of shipping.

Thanks
Mark Mertens
Animal Plastics, Inc

Are you talking about the big tubs being commonly available? Where? Your product looks great but for now I need to keep winging it with my own sweat and tears due to budget constraints but I haven't found a big tub I like yet to build a new rack around.

Unfortunately those tubs are very difficult to get. Sterilite does have another tub out similiar in size. I will try to get the model number for you and post back. We are ordering the tubs right from sterilite and they are not the easiest people to work with.

They gave me a list of retailers that sold their product and told me to check with them first. This list had at least 18-20 stores on it. After I called and stopped at the first 8 and none of them stocked them I gave up and called sterilite back. After going round and round with them again, I finally got them talked into sending them direct.

If anyone needs this size, let me know, I will see what I can do.

Thanks
Animal Plastics, Inc.

Actually I was in Target yesterday and saw the big Sterilite ones. I think they where 16 X 35 or so (I may be off an inch or two on the length). I've always liked the Rubbermaid brand better as they seem heaver construction but I guess the Sterilite ones have held up for me too.

They where still pretty short (like 6 inches or so high) and also looked rather narrow for the length but I guess those are probably both ok. Ideally I'd like to find something 18 X 38 X 8 inches.

I also found some cool Rubbermaid shoebox sized containers with clear tops at Target. I’m now using these for incubation boxes. My thinking is that I can quick check the eggs without opening the box and chilling them as much (unfortunately I don’t have a walk in incubator). It was tight but I actually got an 8 egg clutch in one this morning. The top snaps on but I’m not sure if it will be tight enough to be sure the babies can’t get their heads stuck so I’ll probably find a few rubber bands to put on near hatch time. These clear top shoeboxes where only like $1.40 and they might be passable for display cages at shows (the top view isn’t completely unobstructed).

The larger tubs you saw at target are a little different than the model we use. The style is just a little different and they are also about 1/16" shorter than the ones we use.

Do you have a model number on the new tub you found from rubbermaid, those sound pretty cool.

Thanks
Mark Mertens
Animal Plastics, Inc.

The little clear top Rubbermaid shoeboxes look to be L3-3A25-TO-CLR

is't the 28quart a bit small for BPs being 24x17 right?

I agree, I believe the 28 qt is a little small for full size adults (especially females) . I could definately handle hatchlings to three years of age.

That is exaclty why we developed the "Monster", 35deep x 17 wide for the adults. We are also in the middle of designing other sizes larger than the 28qt and smaller than the 36".

Thanks, tell me what you think

Mark Mertens
Animal Plastics, Inc

In the S10, is there one or two heat cables going down the back? Is there metal to spread the heat out back there? I was wondering if in an S10 with two columns of the 14 quart if both would be heated evenly. I guess even if its only one cable going down the middle of the back both would have one hot back corner

There is only on cable, but it is (S)curved on the back. So the cable actually goes all the way across the back of the tubs, then up to the next shelf, then all the way across that tub, then up to the next shelf and so on.

So when the two smaller tubs are in the unit they both get even heat all the way across the back of each tub.

We do not use any metal products to spread the heat out, since this plastic is solid 1/2" and the cable is routered into the plastic, the plastic actually absorbs the heat and spreads it.

Thanks for the questions
Animal Plastics, Inc

I use 36"x18"x10"tall rubbermaids. But I'm not at home right now so I can't tell you the model number of em. Also these have "legs" so the tub is elevated off the heater. I'll be posting some pics of my rack in about a month if you can wait.

Are those tubs clear? The only ones I have seen that are that size are solid blue or green. Are you using them in a slider rack? If yes, did you have to build it your self?

Thanks for your responce
Mark