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Melamine racks and heat

mfoux Aug 04, 2009 01:34 PM

Hey everyone, I'm interested in seeing different ways people are using to heat their melamine racks.
I've been using heat pads flat on melamine for about three years, but I'm looking at other possibilities before I build my next rack.
Here are some pictures of the types of racks I've been building, but without the heat. I've been simply sticking 4x5 heat pads onto the melamine and sliding the racks over them. My one concern is that the pads run a little hot (which can be controlled with a rheo).

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http://www.mikefoux.com
http://www.cafepress.com/shedz

1.2.0 Hondurans Het Amel
1.1.0 Hondurans Anery, Het Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo, Het Anery
0.2.0 Pueblans
1.0.0 Pueblan Hypo
0.1.0 Corn Bloodred
0.0.1 GBK Blair's Phase
1.0.0 California King
0.1.0 California King Blue-eyed Blond
0.0.1 Speckled King WC
0.0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1.0 Ball, Normal
1.0.0 San Diego Gopher, Poss. Het Applegate
0.0.1 Sulcata
0.1.0 Wife, Caucasius Mexicana

Replies (11)

markg Aug 04, 2009 04:48 PM

I like the lip on the sides of the shelves, nice touch.

The most efficient method in terms of effective heat for energy used is what you are doing now. Plus, melamine won't change shape with the heat, so you are good all around. With a large tub, even if the heat pad gets a bit warm, the snake is OK, especially temperate snakes, since they seem to thermoregulate very effectively even with a very warm surface (they just adjust the time spent on it, unlike big boas.)

I tried a clip-lamp with a ceramic heat emitter, and I aimed that right at the back of the tub. Not only did it heat the tub surface (back and the bottom edge at the back) but it provided a very nice gradient. Unfortunately, not very efficient, since alot of heat is lost to the air. You just can't affordably have a bank of emitters heating the tubs like that.
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Mark

mfoux Aug 05, 2009 08:04 PM

Thanks, Mark. I agree. That's why I didn't go for back heat. I experimented with back heat in the past, but the heat just didn't make it into the tubs.

The lips on the edges of the shelves serve a dual purpose: they make the shelf wider so the 41qt. Steriltes will fit (the melamine they sell at Lowes and HD are a little too narrow) and they add rigidity which helps keep the hole thing square during and after construction.
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---
http://www.mikefoux.com
http://www.cafepress.com/shedz

1.2.0 Hondurans Het Amel
1.1.0 Hondurans Anery, Het Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo, Het Anery
0.2.0 Pueblans
1.0.0 Pueblan Hypo
0.1.0 Corn Bloodred
0.0.1 GBK Blair's Phase
1.0.0 California King
0.1.0 California King Blue-eyed Blond
0.0.1 Speckled King WC
0.0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1.0 Ball, Normal
1.0.0 San Diego Gopher, Poss. Het Applegate
0.0.1 Sulcata
0.1.0 Wife, Caucasius Mexicana

Novice_Charmer Aug 13, 2009 11:06 PM

If you care to share, would you happen to have a shopping list for materials or maybe a build sheet?
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0.1.0 Burmese Python 12'- "Baby"
1.0.0 Albino Granite Burmese Python 6.5'-"Capone"
0.1.0 Albino Burmese Python 11'-"Lacy Underall"
1.0.0 Retic 8.5'-"McLovin"
1.0.0 Retic 13'- "Carl Spackler"
1.0.0 African Rock Python 9'-"Pauly Walnuts"
1.1.0 Ball Pythyons "Yoda" & "Abbey Sciuto"
1.0.0 BCI 7.5'-"Mr.Pink"
0.2.0 BCI 6'-"Scarlett O'Hara & Sloane Peterson"
1.1.0 Bearded Dragons-"Radar O'Reilly & Carol Anne"

mfoux Aug 16, 2009 11:40 PM

Let's see...
I used pre-cut melamine shelving (about 15x33) from the shelving area at Lowes/Home Depot. The shelves are a little too narrow for the 41qt. Sterilte tubs, so I attached side rails made from 1x2 select stock to make the bottom edge of each shelf wider and also to add rigidity to the whole unit (I don't remember exactly what type of wood, but it must be straight and free of splits). And don't use the ones with the rounded edges). For the upright boards, I used 1x4 select (six for the sides and one for the center of the back (adds rigidity and also acts as a stop for the tubs).
Everything was attached with 1.5" black drywall screws (pre-drilled and countersunk to keep from splitting and for aesthetic purposes).

Basic assembly goes something like this:

Cut all the 1x2 rails to the exact length of the shelves.

Set each shelf on a perfectly level flat surface (I used the island in my kitchen) and clamp the rails to the edges of the shelves. Pre-drill and screw the rails to the edges.

Calculate the length of the upright boards taking in to account the exact height of your tubs, the thickness of the shelving and the width of the top 1x2 rail which will extend a little beyond the top shelf. Check and double check your measurements and calculations. Cut all boards to length.

Use a square (and a helper if possible) to attach the bottom and top shelf to the uprights. Check several times with the square as you go.

You should have a bottom and top shelf now held together with six uprights.
Set a 41 qt. tub on the bottom shelf and add a second shelf on top of it. Attach with screws (remember to pre-drill).

Continue adding a shelves until you get to the top. Remove and reattach top shelf if necessary.

Add the last upright 1x4 to the back.

Stick on some heat pads and you're done. I use Zoo-Med 4x5 pads ONLY! Other pads have overheated.

If you want a slightly looser fit, place a sheet or two of poster board on top of each tub while you're assembling the unit.

Some tips:

I bought my melamine shelves on clearance for about $7 each.

I bought all my 41qt tubs at Wal-Mart right after Christmas. They had the ones with the red and green lids for $5 each.

It's okay if the upright boards are a little long. They help to hold an 11th tub in place that I use for extra supplies.

The whole project (minus heat) cost around $200.

Good luck!

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http://www.mikefoux.com
http://www.cafepress.com/shedz

1.2.0 Hondurans Het Amel
1.1.0 Hondurans Anery, Het Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo, Het Anery
0.2.0 Pueblans
1.0.0 Pueblan Hypo
0.1.0 Corn Bloodred
0.0.1 GBK Blair's Phase
1.0.0 California King
0.1.0 California King Blue-eyed Blond
0.0.1 Speckled King WC
0.0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1.0 Ball, Normal
1.0.0 San Diego Gopher, Poss. Het Applegate
0.0.1 Sulcata
0.1.0 Wife, Caucasius Mexicana

mfoux Aug 16, 2009 11:41 PM

...

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---
http://www.mikefoux.com
http://www.cafepress.com/shedz

1.2.0 Hondurans Het Amel
1.1.0 Hondurans Anery, Het Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo, Het Anery
0.2.0 Pueblans
1.0.0 Pueblan Hypo
0.1.0 Corn Bloodred
0.0.1 GBK Blair's Phase
1.0.0 California King
0.1.0 California King Blue-eyed Blond
0.0.1 Speckled King WC
0.0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1.0 Ball, Normal
1.0.0 San Diego Gopher, Poss. Het Applegate
0.0.1 Sulcata
0.1.0 Wife, Caucasius Mexicana

mfoux Aug 16, 2009 11:42 PM

...

-----
---
http://www.mikefoux.com
http://www.cafepress.com/shedz

1.2.0 Hondurans Het Amel
1.1.0 Hondurans Anery, Het Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo, Het Anery
0.2.0 Pueblans
1.0.0 Pueblan Hypo
0.1.0 Corn Bloodred
0.0.1 GBK Blair's Phase
1.0.0 California King
0.1.0 California King Blue-eyed Blond
0.0.1 Speckled King WC
0.0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1.0 Ball, Normal
1.0.0 San Diego Gopher, Poss. Het Applegate
0.0.1 Sulcata
0.1.0 Wife, Caucasius Mexicana

mfoux Aug 16, 2009 11:43 PM

...

-----
---
http://www.mikefoux.com
http://www.cafepress.com/shedz

1.2.0 Hondurans Het Amel
1.1.0 Hondurans Anery, Het Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo, Het Anery
0.2.0 Pueblans
1.0.0 Pueblan Hypo
0.1.0 Corn Bloodred
0.0.1 GBK Blair's Phase
1.0.0 California King
0.1.0 California King Blue-eyed Blond
0.0.1 Speckled King WC
0.0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1.0 Ball, Normal
1.0.0 San Diego Gopher, Poss. Het Applegate
0.0.1 Sulcata
0.1.0 Wife, Caucasius Mexicana

mfoux Aug 16, 2009 11:44 PM

...

-----
---
http://www.mikefoux.com
http://www.cafepress.com/shedz

1.2.0 Hondurans Het Amel
1.1.0 Hondurans Anery, Het Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo, Het Anery
0.2.0 Pueblans
1.0.0 Pueblan Hypo
0.1.0 Corn Bloodred
0.0.1 GBK Blair's Phase
1.0.0 California King
0.1.0 California King Blue-eyed Blond
0.0.1 Speckled King WC
0.0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1.0 Ball, Normal
1.0.0 San Diego Gopher, Poss. Het Applegate
0.0.1 Sulcata
0.1.0 Wife, Caucasius Mexicana

Novice_Charmer Aug 16, 2009 11:51 PM

NICE job man, those look great.I thik I'm going to try to make a few of these.Thanx for the list and the extra pics!
-----
0.1.0 Burmese Python 12'- "Baby"
1.0.0 Albino Granite Burmese Python 6.5'-"Capone"
0.1.0 Albino Burmese Python 11'-"Lacy Underall"
1.0.0 Retic 8.5'-"McLovin"
1.0.0 Retic 13'- "Carl Spackler"
1.0.0 African Rock Python 9'-"Pauly Walnuts"
1.1.0 Ball Pythyons "Yoda" & "Abbey Sciuto"
1.0.0 BCI 7.5'-"Mr.Pink"
0.2.0 BCI 6'-"Scarlett O'Hara & Sloane Peterson"
1.1.0 Bearded Dragons-"Radar O'Reilly & Carol Anne"

mfoux Aug 17, 2009 12:18 AM

Thanks!

BTW, I added some plastic furniture sliders to the bottom for easy movement. During the winter I slide the whole unit into an unheated closet. It's worked great so far.

Good luck!
-----
---
http://www.mikefoux.com
http://www.cafepress.com/shedz

1.2.0 Hondurans Het Amel
1.1.0 Hondurans Anery, Het Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo, Het Anery
0.2.0 Pueblans
1.0.0 Pueblan Hypo
0.1.0 Corn Bloodred
0.0.1 GBK Blair's Phase
1.0.0 California King
0.1.0 California King Blue-eyed Blond
0.0.1 Speckled King WC
0.0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1.0 Ball, Normal
1.0.0 San Diego Gopher, Poss. Het Applegate
0.0.1 Sulcata
0.1.0 Wife, Caucasius Mexicana

TwoSnakes Sep 07, 2009 07:50 PM

Those are great pics. Nicely done. I am thinking of building a cage out of thast instead of wood .

The acrylic door is my only reservation in the whole project

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