Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i was looking at the sterilite site trying to find good baby cages for a rack. i was trying to decide between these three products:

1882 - 6 Quart Latch Box 13 3/4”L x 8 5/8”W x 4 7/8”H

1752 - 6 Quart ClearView Storage Box 14 1/2"L x 8"W x 4 5/8"H

1702 - 7 Quart ClearView Storage Drawer 13 5/8"L x 8 1/2"W x 6 3/8"H

what do you guys use? have any of you used any of these? are they secure etc.? I am really leaning towards the last one now because i could just pull it out like a drawer instead of taking the whole thing out and unlatching it, i think it would make feedings easier, but i don't want to sacrifice ease for security if you know what i mean.
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-Jasmine

1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas
(Mercutio and Kajika)

i wouldnt use the drawer one there is to many loos areas where to easy to escape. i would go with 1752 clear view without the lid in a nice tight fitting rack that would be best bet for babies.

Most of the rack manufacturer's use the 1752's for their baby racks - probably because they are the least expensive of the three you listed.

The snap lid would also work well, would need to drill small holes for ventalation.

I would shy away from the sterilite drawer type systems for two reasons - Security and Heating. I feel even with flexwatt down the back or side they would not hold heat very well. Also, any little gap will mean an escaped baby - trust me I lost a baby as I was using a rack set-up not designed for babies. One of my rack slots allowed a little gap, and baby went exploring and is no longer with us.
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Mike

6.7 BRB
1.2 Spotted Python
1.0 Cal. King

I have now actually looked at the 1702's and feel they would work - depending how tight the shut.

The rack manufacturer's use the 1752's without the lids, so they are easy to pull out and clean. I would recommend looking at their websites to get a better idea on how to build a rack system. Boaphile, Animal Plastics, Vision plus others all make rack systems.

Dave may pitch in and show pics of the racks he built too, but I believe his baby racks were purchased.
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Mike

6.7 BRB
1.2 Spotted Python
1.0 Cal. King

Like the others posted the 1752 is the clear winner. Make a rack made for them w/out tops and you'll love them. Once you go topless, you never go back. Pull the drawer and instant access to the occupant. You don't have to pull the drawer all the way out unless you want to.

A rack I built around similar tubs....

And like the others posted, the drawer unit was most likely NOT designed to keep an escape artist IN. I'd highly suspect there would be places to escape. Almost as bad, someplace the snake could get wedged into so you can't open the drawer.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

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

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Get all the tubs including spares FIRST before building the rack. Companies like to evolve their product lines and Sterilite has been known to obsolete a given tub or series of tubs. That rack I showed you before, it's made with no longer available sterilite tubs. Good thing I already have a full set plus spares!!!!
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

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

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

should I buy one or make my own? the pros and cons:

buy: expensive, easy
make: I am not a carpenter, but I am willing to undertake a project if it will save me hundreds of dollars

so I guess it boils down to: how much would I really save?
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-Jasmine

1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas
(Mercutio and Kajika)

If you don't have the tools and know how.....probably better to buy a rack.

I bought three of the boaphile rhinorax, 30 slots first phillips tubs....love em!!

Black plastic, clear tubs with silver knobs.

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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

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

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

If you do build yourself, not limited to others ideas of what the rack should look like and you can build one to fit a specific location!
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

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

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

i did pretty darn good on my q rack i just made out of scarps and bins i had only thing i bought was heat tape and a el cheapo thermo stat. but turned out good. most important thing draw out your plans make sure you add every thing in dont forget the wood for shelfs also include hieght lol.

i did this with a circular saw and a POS router (pic before i added heat etc build the rack upside down ans either A) make 2 pilot stand so your shelf is correct hieght for each level or B) get a piece of 1/16 inch plexi or somehtign to set ontop of bins so you have a small gap

I was at Wal-Mart and looked at the 1702 and feel it will not work. When the tub is in there are gaps that a baby can get out of the tub and get between the tub and case the tub slides into.
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Mike

6.7 BRB
1.2 Spotted Python
1.0 Cal. King

Jasmine,

These are some of the best Plans I have found. But like you I am not a carpenter and don’t have many wood working tools. I have however built three cages all being used to this day and are between 10-15 years old. I am still 50/50 on which I want to do build my own or buy online, both have pros and cons and money is a big con in my book lol… But like Dave who builds his own (Very nice I might add) you can have it tailored to fit your needs and save some money in the process, the question is how much money and don't forget time building these for the first time will take time. Hope this helps, good luck and keep us posted!
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Jason A.
"Long time Herper, first year Breeder `07."

the plans he posted for the adults were actually what i was going to to (more or less) for my adults, but I brought the plans to my dad(hes got all the tools, but hes not a carpenter) and he says that if I wanted to do anything like that guy did, I would have to hire a professional. sigh.
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-Jasmine

1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas
(Mercutio and Kajika)