Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just set up my 32 qt. AP rack and I'm only waiting on the flexwatt from them... I'm just looking for a few opions before I move my little ones into their new homes...

Some info:
They are 32 qt. tubs
They have direct belly heat
The are being used for my yearling Red Tail group (see my signature)

1) Best location for the thermostat probe?

2) How should I attach the probe?

3) What temps should I shoot for? (hot/cold)

4) How many, if any holes should I put in each tub?

They are all currently in a "hatchling rack" in 6 qt. tubs with back heat, alot of holes drilled all around the tubs and the ambient temp is around 87-90 degrees

Thanks in advance for any help! I will post some pictures of my little ones as soon as we have some more nice weather!!
-----
1.0 Kahl Albino (25% hogg)
1.0 Hypo Double Het. Sunglow
1.0 Anery Het. Snow
0.1 Kahl Albino (25% hogg)
0.1 Kahl Albino (25% hogg)
0.1 Hypo Double Het Sunglow
0.1 Hypo Double Het Sunglow
0.1 Anery Het. Snow

AP racks have a hole in the back panel to run your probe through. There is a channel routered into the shelf for the probe to lay down in, and you can use aluminum tape to hold the probe down. You simply put the probe all the way to the innermost part of the channel and tape it down. I didnt like their standard probe placement because it does not touch the heat tape directly. I took that shelf out and routered the channel so that the probe could rest under the heat tape. You can also tape the probe directly to the tape at either side just so the tub does not touch it when you slide it in or out. My racks came with a little piece of aluminum tape for this, but you can get it at any harware store.

I cant tell you if you need to ventilate your tubs or not, you will have to experiment to find what your snakes need based on the ambient conditions of the room where the rack is. I would start with no holes and go from there. If you melt holes and you have low humidity problems then you will either need to get new tubs or find a way to plug them off.
Hope this helps
chris