Reptile & Amphibian Forums

im starting to get what i need to build a new rack using the sterilite 28 qt racks, just wondering if anyone else uses them. they seemed like the perfect size for adult colubrids.

i was wondering about if i should make it 2 tubs wide or 3, not sure if 3 wide would cause sagging. im using standard melamine as the frame and shelves. the home depot has pre cut shelves that are perfect for 2 wide after trimming a little off one end but if 3 wide wont sag then i thought i would just get a full sheet and rip it down to size any info or tips would be helpfull
adam
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hybrid breeders association
1.1 sinacorns
1.1 kenyan sand boas
1.1 mbk
1.1 albino corns
1.3 ghost corns
1.0 snow corns
1.0 jurassic milk
0.1 bloodred
0.1 striped albino corn
0.1 childrens python
0.1 albino nelsons
0.1 anery motley
0.1 albino banded cal king
0.1 normal corn het hypo,anery
0.1 hypo tang hondo

also any smaller size fit the same height rack? because i have a bunch of snake that are in that in between stage where they are too big for a hatchling rack but too small for the 28 qt tubs. most are housed in ten gallon aquariums right now which is about perfect except the space issue. it would be awesome if another smaller sized tub would also fit the racks height
adam
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hybrid breeders association
1.1 sinacorns
1.1 kenyan sand boas
1.1 mbk
1.1 albino corns
1.3 ghost corns
1.0 snow corns
1.0 jurassic milk
0.1 bloodred
0.1 striped albino corn
0.1 childrens python
0.1 albino nelsons
0.1 anery motley
0.1 albino banded cal king
0.1 normal corn het hypo,anery
0.1 hypo tang hondo

cant find any info on their web site but seems similiar to other 28 qt in size
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hybrid breeders association
1.1 sinacorns
1.1 kenyan sand boas
1.1 mbk
1.1 albino corns
1.3 ghost corns
1.0 snow corns
1.0 jurassic milk
0.1 bloodred
0.1 striped albino corn
0.1 childrens python
0.1 albino nelsons
0.1 anery motley
0.1 albino banded cal king
0.1 normal corn het hypo,anery
0.1 hypo tang hondo

A few thoughts...

Sterilite used to make a couple of different versions of their 28 qt. box. The notable difference was that one version had four or six round and raised feet on the bottom, the other had a continuous rim around the bottom. The ones with the raised, individual feet were known for sagging and collapsing around the feet which may cause security issues. Also, back then, the 12 qt. version from the same series did not match the 28 qt. box exactly in height.

So the upshot is, go out and look at the boxes in person, making sure to set both the 28 qt. and 12 qt. boxes on a flat surface and make sure they match in height.

To be clear, I have no idea if Sterilite still has two versions of this box. I would shop around.

Now, regarding the width of the rack, I have something else for you to consider. Sterilite also makes a 41 qt. box that is the same height as one of their 28/12 qt. versions. What one poster has done is to use all three boxes in the same rack. That way each level of the rack can hold...

1) Three, 12 qt. boxes that slide in length-wise.

2) One, 28 qt. box that slides in width-wise plus one 12 qt. box.

3) One 41 qt. box that slides in width-wise.

That is probably as wide as I would build the rack as sagging will be a concern otherwise.

If you don't want to use the 41 qt. box but still want to combine the 28's and 12's, then I would only make the rack one box wide as the 28 will have to slide in width-wise, or at least that's what I'd recommend.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Malaysian locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

i went to walmart and put the 28,41 and 12 qts all together the 28 is just slightly taller than the 12 and the 41 which are the same height. the 28 is the one with the continuous rim around the bottom.
since im naot married to the sterilites is their another manafacturer youd recommend with to same height boxes? i actuallly only bought 2 28's just to use as referance that i can take back if needed. i would like to stick to the same basic cost though if possible
adam
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hybrid breeders association
1.1 sinacorns
1.1 kenyan sand boas
1.1 mbk
1.1 albino corns
1.3 ghost corns
1.0 snow corns
1.0 jurassic milk
0.1 bloodred
0.1 striped albino corn
0.1 childrens python
0.1 albino nelsons
0.1 anery motley
0.1 albino banded cal king
0.1 normal corn het hypo,anery
0.1 hypo tang hondo

I can still find the rubbermaid 28 & 12 qt. boxes. They are the exact same height as a rubbermaid I purchased over 20 years ago and that I still have. I can only find them at Ace and Menards.

Sterilite also makes 32 and 15 qt boxes although I've not looked for them specifically in a while. They are a sturdy box, more so than the 12/28/41 series you're looking at.

I'm guessing Iris makes something. You might want to check out Reptiletubs.com and check the sizes of various boxes.

However, if you want to use something like the 41 qt. sterilite in the same rack you're pretty much stuck with Sterilite. I would try to find all three that have the same design to the bottom (the continous rim) and see if they are the same height. If I remember correctly Shopko carries a different version of those boxes.

If you don't want/need the 41 qt., then I would look for the original rubbermaids or the slightly larger 32/15 qt. sterilites.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Malaysian locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

I recently built a rack using 32 qt sterilite tubs. They are double size of the sterilite 15 qt. I did two tubs lengthwise per shelf, with supports in the middle of each shelf.

I also placed the top shelf 1 inch lower and put another shelf above it, as I know how I am and I didnt want to e placing stuff on top and causing it to sag.