Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just wanted to share this since I am almost complete with it....All I need to do is add some heat cable when it comes in...

Fully adjustable for any size tub per shelf....
And will hold over 50 hatchlings...probably closer to 60 when squeezed down and a few more shelves added...

I really do not like racks, but they are necessary due to space and hatchlings need small, secure enclosures....

And I wasn't going to pay for one since I do know how to read a tape measure and use power tools....LOL

Total cost for shelves, heat cable, hardware & tubs.....$200.00

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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

what are those shelves made of?

I need to rope my dad into helping me build a rack system; he's good with tools...but he lives 800 miles away.

>>what are those shelves made of?
>>
>>I need to rope my dad into helping me build a rack system; he's good with tools...but he lives 800 miles away.

Pre made Melamine shelves (Rubbermaid brand)...16" X 36"....
5/8" all thread, casters, nuts and washers....
and some 99 cent tubs......
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

John,...

I've built a couple racks in the past as well since I have tons of tools and have been a carpenter all of my adult life. But I was thinking about doing the very same style you have with maybe a removeable back and sides, because of all the convenient adjustability it would give.

A sheet of 3/4" melamine is like $42.00 dollars at a Lowe's near me, and the "all-thread", nuts and washer's can't be too much, so this would help me out alot with this years youngsters too.

Nice build dude!

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

>> I've built a couple racks in the past as well since I have tons of tools and have been a carpenter all of my adult life. But I was thinking about doing the very same style you have with maybe a removeable back and sides, because of all the convenient adjustability it would give.
>> A sheet of 3/4" melamine is like $42.00 dollars at a Lowe's near me, and the "all-thread", nuts and washer's can't be too much, so this would help me out alot with this years youngsters too.
>> Nice build dude!

I got another one I'll post in a bit that I built recently....
I am certainly not a journeyman carpenter...I am a journeyman pipefitter by trade...Now I sit behind a computer scheduling/planning and estimating....But I haven't forgot how to read a tape measure and cut some wood....LOL

And with the removeable back & sides....I would go with slotted holes, studs and wingnuts for convenience...Just my opinion....lol

I thank you for the compliment Doug.....
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

How much difference does it make if the rack is open vs. closed as far as heating goes? I'd just assumed that the closed sides and back would help with that a lot.

And I'm with you on not liking racks, but for babies they're great. A lot cheaper than buying 50 5 gallon glass tanks for sure!

>>How much difference does it make if the rack is open vs. closed as far as heating goes? I'd just assumed that the closed sides and back would help with that a lot.
>>
>>And I'm with you on not liking racks, but for babies they're great. A lot cheaper than buying 50 5 gallon glass tanks for sure!

I agree it would help the air temperature on the back half of the tubs....I am using heat cable that will be right against the back of the tubs.....I'll see how the temps hold and go from there...
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

Awesome rack. I might try to build one like that over the winter for extra long tubs. I like the fact that you can just adjust the shelving to fit any tub, any time. Nice. Post a pic when you put in the heat cable will ya!?

>>Awesome rack. I might try to build one like that over the winter for extra long tubs. I like the fact that you can just adjust the shelving to fit any tub, any time. Nice. Post a pic when you put in the heat cable will ya!?

Thanks Joe....I think it will work out just fine for the hatchlings....
I will post pics next week when I install the heat cable....
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

That is a very great idea. Almost genius in it's simplicity. In regards to the heat cable, are you going to route a groove for it, or other? I like this rack and it's idea. I hope you don't mind if I "borrow" the idea as I plan on building one like it myself!

It's a very similar idea to the Vision Versa rack system, only a whole lot cheaper since it is built at home. I have one of those Versa racks, and it's great. I did think of building one like it myself, but got sidetracked and built a few others in a much more conventional method. But your rack rocks! It's cheaper, easier, and much more functional in it's ability to house any type of tub. Sorry for the extra message. I'm obviously diggin' this rack!

>>It's a very similar idea to the Vision Versa rack system, only a whole lot cheaper since it is built at home. I have one of those Versa racks, and it's great. I did think of building one like it myself, but got sidetracked and built a few others in a much more conventional method. But your rack rocks! It's cheaper, easier, and much more functional in it's ability to house any type of tub. Sorry for the extra message. I'm obviously diggin' this rack!

Thanks Greg...Glad you like it....
I am not going to router out grooves for the heat cable....the Applegate Enclosures I have gave me the idea to use cup hooks behind the tubs...Some on the shelf above and some on the same shelf...Screwed in an alternating pattern so I can zig zag the cable behind the tubs....the tubs will rest right up against the cable.....
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

John,
The simplicity/adjustability of that rack is a beautiful thing. Very well designed, and a great idea.
MZ

A buddy of mine built this in the last avaiable space in his warehouse

Your buddy must not be married or his wife is a saint,and he must know the plumber cause my plumber wont go near my snakes.

Here is one I made from scrap wood

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Doug L

pretty cool Doug. Looks like you need to get some more snakes and put in some more bottom shelves!

This is a first for me. I've seen reptile-crazy people who keep boxes of snakes in many places, but never a bathroom. This dude is hardcore.
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Mark

>>A buddy of mine built this in the last avaiable space in his warehouse

Pretty cool....I think he's addicted worse than I....LOL
Also...I think those boards are gonna warp with all the humidity in a bathroom....LOL
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

Classic pic

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www.Bluerosy.com

"They that can give up essential liberty, to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty or safety." -Benjamin Franklin

HAHAHA!!,...that's too funny!. I'll bet most of the women get chills down their spine at the thought of having to use the bathroom there,....you know how most women are about stuff like that..LOL!

~Doug

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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

That reminds me of the late Lloyd Lemkes house when they lived in Orange Co, Ca. Except their bedroom, every square inch of that house was used for snakes. At that time it was my idea of a perfect life. Man it was amazing. i wish i made pics back then.
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www.Bluerosy.com

"They that can give up essential liberty, to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty or safety." -Benjamin Franklin

Yeah, I know several guy's who's homes are 100% wall to wall snakes too,...kitchen and ALL!..LOL!

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

Yeah, I know several guy's who's homes are 100% wall to wall snakes too,...kitchen and ALL!..LOL!

They must be feeding live rodents because F/T mice tend to smell up a place real fast.

At least I hope so for there sake, LOL! Personally i can't stand the smell of decomposing rodents. It drives me nuts, and when it happens I spend a good part of my day trying to track it down.

I really need to get one of those air-purifiers from Tom Stevens. I swear that things works. We had a hotel room of dead pinkies when arriving in daytona one year. Once he turned that thing on there was no smell. I mean NO SMELL. We even took decomposed smelly runny pinks and held them in front of our noses and,, zero smell. Those units are costly and if i had the extra cash my life would be a lot easier.
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www.Bluerosy.com

"They that can give up essential liberty, to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty or safety." -Benjamin Franklin

Least hes close to the sink and has a good place to dump dirty water!
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Peter and Sara
Beouf River Reptiles

that small toilet seat just makes the pic so much more funnier!!!

Pitoon

>>John,
>>The simplicity/adjustability of that rack is a beautiful thing. Very well designed, and a great idea.
>>MZ

Thanks MZ.....Not as elaborate as the enclosures, but very functional and simple.....
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

This is my favorite design for small boxes. I first saw this on a breeder's website a long time ago. You have improved upon his design in that the shelves are more rigid and the threaded rod you use is thicker (that's what she said.. I had better write that now before somebody else does).
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Mark

>>This is my favorite design for small boxes. I first saw this on a breeder's website a long time ago. You have improved upon his design in that the shelves are more rigid and the threaded rod you use is thicker (that's what she said.. I had better write that now before somebody else does).

Thanks Mark...I guess I'll see what kind of longevity I can get out of the shelves...My Mealmine enclosures have lasted for a long while so that's why I went with that material here.....
I like the idea that it's mobile too.....And did anyone notice the stereo shelf?......LOL
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

Ha, I wondered if that was a boom box, lol.

I think melamine was a great choice. With an open-rack design like that, I doubt you will ever have an issue. Plus, the rigidity of melamine means babies stay in the boxes.

I tried PVC shelves supported by 1x2s around the perimeter. Worked well but I think was added work and expense for no added gain really for baby boxes.
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Mark

I am glad to see someone else using these. They are the best racks I have ever used.

I use all shapes and sizes

I started with the biggest racks and now make them for hatchlings. These tubs are 12x3x2 inches.

With belly heat.

But the best part is that because the racks have no walls it is easy to get a truly hot spot without heating up the whole freakin tub. Check out this temp gradient in a 12 inch long tub!!

How is it drilling those holes? I guess that must be the hardest part as it must be exact. For someone like me who has no ability to build anything it seems hard.

Also can you post a pic of the heat tape. What type is it you are using??

If someone had a step by step page on building this I may try it.
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www.Bluerosy.com

"They that can give up essential liberty, to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty or safety." -Benjamin Franklin

There is a picture of the heat cable in the post. I use the rubber coated heat cable and I just router a groove into each shelf.

As far as construction... a retarded monkey could put one of these things together.

The holes don't have to be that critical, especially if you use washers like in the OP. I just cut my shelves however big I want them. The I cut a square of paper that is 2x2. I put this in the corner of each board and make a dot at the corner to give me the same spot on each board. Then i just drill centered on each dot.

The only thing that is worth being anal about is buying a router bit that is the exact same size as the heat cable. If the groove is too big the heat cable will slide around on you and you will end up having to tape it down etc. If you get the groove right you can just press it in and walk away.