Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Im getting ready to build new racks for my corn snakes , Im going to use sterelite tubes. I was just wondering if people like using the tubes with lids or no lids in the racks , has anyone had problems with either. Just wanted to see if anyone has any tips for building a good rack.

>>Im getting ready to build new racks for my corn snakes , Im going to use sterelite tubes. I was just wondering if people like using the tubes with lids or no lids in the racks , has anyone had problems with either. Just wanted to see if anyone has any tips for building a good rack.

I like lids myself, easy to move to the workbench without the snake bailing out of the box. More escape proof for the little ones.
Bob

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R.Bichlers Colubrids
http://www.webspawner.com/users/rbichler/index.html

For adults and juveniles -- no lids. Makes it easy to do quick water checks/changes as well as introduce prey items or remove uneaten ones.

For the times I want to move a tub to a work area I use a piece of acrylic that sets on top so the snakes are secure until I get where I am going.

I'm less picky for hatchlings but still prefer lidless.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Javan, mixed colors)

0.0.4 Rhynchophis boulengeri

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.1 Lampropeltis triangulum multistriata

0.0.1 Rhamphiophis rubropunctatus

0.0.2 Morelia viridis (Aru & Merauke locale types)

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

>>Im getting ready to build new racks for my corn snakes , Im going to use sterelite tubes. I was just wondering if people like using the tubes with lids or no lids in the racks , has anyone had problems with either. Just wanted to see if anyone has any tips for building a good rack.

If you go with the no lids method you will save time, cleaning/feeding your snakes since taking off a lid adds an extra step and forces you to remove the whole tub. Less disturbing of the snake as well.

Downside of no lid is you MUST be precise in you cuts and the way the rack is put together otherwise you will have gaps and a lidless rack with gaps is very bad. Hope this helps and goodluck..
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Jason A.
"Long time Herper, first year Breeder `07."
My 2008 Care Sheet & The BRB Stats. Username: brb@kingsnake.com

If i was to go with no lids what do i put on the plywood to protect the snake from the wood and the wood from moisture and this like that .... would i paint it or maybe urathane ??

Rick

Melamine is waterproof, so you don't have to worry about moisture warping the wood. However, I did have a spot grow mold on my rack because I was using tubs without lids. I never had a problem in the tub, but I never looked at the underside of the shelf, where the tub sat up against it. I had a little bit of mold grow in there, and have since started using lids again.

>>If i was to go with no lids what do i put on the plywood to protect the snake from the wood and the wood from moisture and this like that .... would i paint it or maybe urathane ??
>>
>>Rick

>>Melamine is waterproof.

Melamine is not waterproof! It is water resistant, however depending on your humidity level you should still be ok with its use.

Its also very heavy!
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Jeremy Payne
JB Reptile
Specializing in Boa Morph's

1.0 Snow "Kahl"
0.2 Triple Het Moonglow "Kahl"
0.1 Orange Tail Hypo Het Leopard
1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow
1.0 Ghost
0.1 Possible Super Hypo
0.1 DH Ghost
1.1 "Kahl" Albino
1.0 Hypomelenistic
1.3 Pastel Hypo
0.1 Suriname/Columbian cross
0.1 Anerthrystic

No lids works better as other have stated. If you build your own rack, measure how high the box actually is. The dimensions on the box can be 1/2 inch off. I measure the box and add 1/16 inch for the slots in the rack.
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Randy and Michelle
Art In Scales
(719) 439-4199
info@artinscales.com

I have built racks with and without lids and would recommend no lids. it makes things a lot easier. The lids are free and they can come in handy. If you go lidless the best way to space the shelves(that I've found) is to put a straight edge across the top of the tub to measure the height and then cut a couple spacers out of scrap wood. Also if you make your rack wider than one tub across you'll want supports in the middle to avoid future sagging.