Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here's my problem, my office that I keep my Ball Pythons, etc... in really can't fit the couple of cages I wanted to get for a few Red Tails. I live in New York, and have a nicely finished basement, which stays pretty much 68 degrees year round. I wanted to get the ARS-9506 Rack System for them, but if they were to be kept in the finished basement I don't think that type of a set up can keep the heat or humidity in.

So here's the question, is there a cage that would be able to maintain the proper temps in that envirement. If so, what kind would you recomend. Does anybody in here currently have a cage set up in a finished basement. Lastly would a rack system like the ARS-9506 work in that setting?

Thanks for any replys...

stackable and hold humidity well.

Wow, you should be breeding thayeri and zonata with that nice low ambient temperature.

Have you considered a space heater, like an oil-filled radiator? You could probably bump temps up a bit w/o too much energy being used.

Otherwise, see if ARS can fit a second heat panel. Keep that heater on a separate controller at say 78-80 deg, and the primary heater in the back on at 90 deg or whatever.

If you do not have that second heat strip, I think too much of the cage will be too cool.

You can tape on your own Flexwatt strip, just make sure to make a loop of wire long enough to allow the box to be pulled out.

BTW, years ago I raised two boas up in a room that stayed in the 60s during Winter. I ended up doing what I suggested to you above - 2 strips of 11-inch Flexwatt, each a different temps. Worked well. In late Spring and Summer I just unplugged the 2nd heat strip altogether.
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Mark

>>Otherwise, see if ARS can fit a second heat panel. Keep that heater on a separate controller at say 78-80 deg, and the primary heater in the back on at 90 deg or whatever.

I talked to Brian, you just have to order a second panel and separate thermostat. Or maybe you can talk your way into a Herpstat II.

I would add reflectix or some polystyrene to the bottom level, either see if Brian can do something or do it yourself. However even having two heaters I'd think the bottom will still be pretty cold. The levels have a way of insulating each other the bottom having nothing below lacks in the shared heat.

I do think Marks idea of a second heater per level would be a great compromise.
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Jeremy Payne
JB Reptile

1.0 Snow "Kahl"
0.2 Triple Het Moonglow "Kahl"
0.1 Orange Tail Hypo Het Leopard
0.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow
1.0 Ghost
0.1 DH Ghost
1.1 "Kahl" Albino
1.0.2 Hypomelenistic
1.3 Pastel Hypo
0.1 Anerthrystic
0.0.2 Normal

1.1 Morelia Clastolepis

I know you had responded positively sometime earlier before I bought it. Do you still like the larger version? (I'm saving up for it with overtime) Went down to Daytona in 08' to look at myself.

>>I know you had responded positively sometime earlier before I bought it. Do you still like the larger version? (I'm saving up for it with overtime) Went down to Daytona in 08' to look at myself.
>>

Are you talking about the 7030? I have it and its nice. I also have the 8018, I like it as well I actually wish the 70 series was the same depth as the 8018.

I also have the built in bowl version which is nice.

My one complaint is the bottom row heats poorly, not necessarily a rack problem, but I suspect everyone has lower temps in the bottom row.

I've talked to Brian about it and I'm just going to mod up a new mobile base. It'll raise the bottom insulate it and provide a mount for paper rolls, etc. I'm also looking for plastic tanks to fit in the base, that I can fill with water for a misting system.

My other complaint would be the inability to mist the cages easily, but I'm working on a mechanical section that will house the mister, thermostat and a pull out counter. My last complaint is tubs near the ceiling, not everyone's concern but my facility is rather short.

I plan to build a display cage to sit atop my ARS rack. Best of both worlds...

So I love my ARS but like most people I can see improvements and the workshop is begging for a cage project.

Hopefully I can get this done before winter thaw...I'll post if it goes through...now where is that welder.
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Jeremy Payne
JB Reptile

1.0 Snow "Kahl"
0.2 Triple Het Moonglow "Kahl"
0.1 Orange Tail Hypo Het Leopard
0.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow
1.0 Ghost
0.1 DH Ghost
1.1 "Kahl" Albino
1.0.2 Hypomelenistic
1.3 Pastel Hypo
0.1 Anerthrystic
0.0.2 Normal

1.1 Morelia Clastolepis

I was talking about getting the #8514. The 9" high version.

> I like it as well I actually wish the 70 series was the same depth as the 8018.>

They are not the same depth front to back?

>My one complaint is the bottom row heats poorly, not necessarily a rack problem, but I suspect everyone has lower temps in the bottom row.<

Yes, I've followed posts where Chris Harper, yourself and others have mentioned putting reflctex on the bottom (and/or sides). Thought I might do that too.

>My last complaint is tubs near the ceiling, not everyone's concern but my facility is rather short.<

Yes, I've had folks tell me the #8514 tub is a hand full to deal with on a higher than head level. Thought I would keep a step stool handy or maybe just go 5,maybe 6 levels high? I figure this is going to be a longterm investment for keeping my colubrids without the guilt pangs of not putting everybody in a cage LOL.

Thanks for the feed back.

Bob.

>>They are not the same depth front to back?

Depth of tub not depth of rack. 7010, 7030, 8018, 8514, and 9006 are all the same depth of rack 33".

>>Yes, I've followed posts where Chris Harper, yourself and others have mentioned putting reflctex on the bottom (and/or sides). Thought I might do that too.

I'm getting ready to modify mine in exactly that fashion.

>>Yes, I've had folks tell me the #8514 tub is a hand full to deal with on a higher than head level. Thought I would keep a step stool handy or maybe just go 5,maybe 6 levels high? I figure this is going to be a longterm investment for keeping my colubrids without the guilt pangs of not putting everybody in a cage LOL.

I'm working on plans for Display cages to sit atop my ARS racks. Higher than chin level I think is where I draw the line...64" to the top of the tub.
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Jeremy Payne
JB Reptile

1.0 Snow "Kahl"
0.2 Triple Het Moonglow "Kahl"
0.1 Orange Tail Hypo Het Leopard
0.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow
1.0 Ghost
0.1 DH Ghost
1.1 "Kahl" Albino
1.0.2 Hypomelenistic
1.3 Pastel Hypo
0.1 Anerthrystic
0.0.2 Normal

1.1 Morelia Clastolepis

Nice racks Bob, What model are the racks on the right with the shorter boxes.
Thanks, Bob Bichler

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

>>Nice racks Bob, What model are the racks on the right with the shorter boxes.

From Left to right;

8514, 8018, 7030
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Jeremy Payne
JB Reptile

1.0 Snow "Kahl"
0.2 Triple Het Moonglow "Kahl"
0.1 Orange Tail Hypo Het Leopard
0.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow
1.0 Ghost
0.1 DH Ghost
1.1 "Kahl" Albino
1.0.2 Hypomelenistic
1.3 Pastel Hypo
0.1 Anerthrystic
0.0.2 Normal

1.1 Morelia Clastolepis

I believe your talking about the #8018. Same dimensions as the one I'm checking out. just 6.5" tubs v. 9".

I believe that's the one Bighurt has.

Bob.

>>I believe that's the one Bighurt has.

Yup I have the 8018, but I use paper, if you use substrate of significance you may want the 8514. Brian says they should hold 100 lbs or so, don't have the numbers so don't quote me. Still they slide in c channel so any weight will make them harder to slide.

So which one are you Bob?

One of the two drooling or the unfortunate sole behind the camera...LOL
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Jeremy Payne
JB Reptile

1.0 Snow "Kahl"
0.2 Triple Het Moonglow "Kahl"
0.1 Orange Tail Hypo Het Leopard
0.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow
1.0 Ghost
0.1 DH Ghost
1.1 "Kahl" Albino
1.0.2 Hypomelenistic
1.3 Pastel Hypo
0.1 Anerthrystic
0.0.2 Normal

1.1 Morelia Clastolepis

>>Yup I have the 8018, but I use paper, if you use substrate of significance you may want the 8514. Brian says they should hold 100 lbs or so, don't have the numbers so don't quote me. Still they slide in c channel so any weight will make them harder to slide.
>>Jeremy

Thanks Jeremy for the heads up on the C-channel, and substrate thing. I thought they were on shelfs.
Bob Bichler
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R.Bichlers Colubrids
http://www.webspawner.com/users/rbichler/index.html

Glad to hear you still like the #8018.

>>I believe your talking about the #8018. Same dimensions as the one I'm checking out. just 6.5" tubs v. 9".
>>
>>I believe that's the one Bighurt has.
>>
>>Bob.

Thanks for the reply, I'll have to check them out. They look kind of pricey. The Pyros are fine, started to warm up a few females on the 14th, kind of early for me, will see what happens.
Thanks again, Bob Bichler

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