Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am planning to build a rack entirely out of pvc pipe from the hardware store and then put six 40qt sterilite containers in it.

I should be able to construct the whole rack without any glue; for the animal's safety.

Any objections?

Thanks
~Brian
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1.1 Normal Ball Pythons (Snakerton and Mathilda)
1.0 Het Albino Ball Python (Walter)
0.1 Albino Ball Python (Perrie)
2.2 Breeder Rats (Seamus, Patrick, Fiona, Spotticus)
1.0 Red Ear Slider (Rufus)
1.0 English Bulldog[Red Brindle] (Jones)

I also want to hook up flexwatt to the tubs. What size and how much flexwatt on each tub would keep good temps? I will definitely be using a thermostat on the rack.

Thanks again
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1.1 Normal Ball Pythons (Snakerton and Mathilda)
1.0 Het Albino Ball Python (Walter)
0.1 Albino Ball Python (Perrie)
2.2 Breeder Rats (Seamus, Patrick, Fiona, Spotticus)
1.0 Red Ear Slider (Rufus)
1.0 English Bulldog[Red Brindle] (Jones)

I have thought of doing this before. What would be wrong with using the glue, as long as you let it dry before introducing the animals? I see no harm in this...you drink, make your pasta water , and bath from water pipes that have this glue on them everyday?

The drawback to this design, in my mind -and you touched on it, is how/where do you attach the heat tape and cover for the top? Do you stick the heat tape directly onto the tub? This would require glue though? How do you keep the top on and the animals in? Also, it seems that you would lose alot of heat unless you boxed in the sides, but how would you attach then?

I am not trashing your idea, I am hoping to pick some new ones up for myself. I actually think PVC pipe is a GREAT low-cost, exremely sturdy, easy to wok with medium.

By the way, for belly heat, I believe 3" FlexxWatt ran all the way down one edge of the tub is how most folks do it. I use the 11" stuff, but I have back heat which is much less efficient in transferring heat.

Please keep us posted, and share your ideas on this one, or some drawings or plans if you have them and want to share.

~Alan

i don't know about the codes where you live , but where i am pvc is only used for waste lines.

just an f.y.i.

ck

Yes...you are correct. It was early. However, once the glue dries, I really dont see any problem holding the PVC pipe together with the adhesive.

I like the idea, that it is thinking out of the box. Racks are ridiculous in price for what you get (no tubs included..make me laugh)and the melamine jobs are 5 tons. There has got to be a better bottle opener...it may not be a PVC pipe rack, but kudos for the guy using his brain.

Thinking....

Tileboard. Someone posted their pic for me once. Cheap & lightweight.

I have yet to try to make it yet. We made the 10 ton elephant instead, lol.

I can't even believe, you're going to attempt that! What's wrong with you?

hey i actually just finished building a rack of my own but i actually used MDF for the sides and shelving and then a cheap piece of partical board for the back. it was all real cheap i think in the end with the tubs and everything it was like $30.

just glue it.

ck

don't see why you can't make a rack out of pvc. I use sections of pvc pipes for my rats to nest and live in and never had any problems with them, Heck they don't even chew the pipes.

Far as I am concerned, you can make racks out of whatever matterial you want as long as it is non toxic, won't give off fumes if heated , or melt, or otherwise present a danger to you, the snake or your home.

Types of PVC is used to make most pre-fabricated snake and lizard cages anyway. Either melted and formed using a mold, or sealed with glue or some other method.
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PHLdyPayne

You could also use heat cable ran through the PVC it works well. Glueing the pipes wont hurt a bit but if you feel better not gluing then dont.
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Greg Power
B.O.A. Inc
boainc@gmail.com

I just did a really strong light weight rack built out of 1"X2" and some partical board for under $75 and it holds 6 full 41qt tubs and has wheels for easy moving. I agree with the heat cord since it would be easier for you to mount. but if you have a better way of mounting the stuff you could for sure use heat tape.

Wow I was surprised to see this post!
I recently had the same idea for a hatchling rack and spent a day cruising the local home depot. I had planned on using visions design. I plan to use metal conduit thats like 5/8 OD and using 3/4 Pvc as spacers between shelves and egg crate light difusers or peg board for shelves with 11" flexwatt for belly heat.I found some circular electrical box panels for like 55 cents each for large washers between spacers. So basically you will have a long piece of conduit x 4 . A box panel, shelf , spacer ,shelf spacer,shelf etc......... The top Im thinking of using some 5/8 dowel inside the very top of the conduit to insert a large wood screw to tighten the rack. I know its confusing in text .......I will post when finished. I should be able to build for less than 100.00 including heat.

I was expecting to have a lot of opposition to this kind of rack, not sure why. I started building today. The four corner support posts are 3" diameter pvc pipe and all the shelves are 1/2" diameter pvc pipe. I designed the rack for six tubs but it will fit 8 when I'm done. I will post pictures, dimensions, and a parts list later tonight.

I'm still not sure about the heating element. I was thinking about 3" heat tape that would lay across the 1/2" pvc shelves to give belly heat. I was also thinking about insulating the sides with something if the temps are too low.

Thanks for your help everyone!
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1.1 Normal Ball Pythons (Snakerton and Mathilda)
1.0 Het Albino Ball Python (Walter)
0.1 Albino Ball Python (Perrie)
2.2 Breeder Rats (Seamus, Patrick, Fiona, Spotticus)
1.0 Red Ear Slider (Rufus)
1.0 English Bulldog[Red Brindle] (Jones)

1/2" pvc pipe - 117ft $25
3" pvc pipe - 20 ft $15
1/2" T connectors - 42 $10
1/2" Elbow connectors - 28 $7
40qt sterilite tubs - 6 $48
3" straight end connectors - 12 $12?

Total cost: $117

Darn tubs are almost half the cost....
Finished rack coming soon!

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1.1 Normal Ball Pythons (Snakerton and Mathilda)
1.0 Het Albino Ball Python (Walter)
0.1 Albino Ball Python (Perrie)
2.2 Breeder Rats (Seamus, Patrick, Fiona, Spotticus)
1.0 Red Ear Slider (Rufus)
1.0 English Bulldog[Red Brindle] (Jones)