Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here are some pictures of a rack system that I made this week.
In case you are interested in making one, I made this out of two sheets of 3/4" melamine board that I obtained from a local cabinet manufacturing company. Each board was $40, and is coated on both sides. The dimensions of each rack are 18.5 wide, by 24.75" deep, by 28" tall. I got the Steralite tubs from Wal-Mart for ~$7.50 each, and each bin is heated by one foot of 4" (8 watt) heat tape. In total, the whole set up with melamine board, bins, heat tape, extension cords and wheels for the racks cost me just under $200.

Also, here is a picture of a mini-fridge that I obtained from my friend that I converted into an incubator. This thing seems to be perfect for incubating a couple clutches of eggs. It holds a very constant temperature and heats up to 87F with only one foot of 4" flexwatt (I know the picture only shows 85, I took the picture prior to full heat capacity). I couldn't be happier with it.

Why did you put the heat tape on the ceiling, heat rises.

I went by this premise to begin with, but although heat does rise, the heat tape being on the top is closer to the area of incubation, therefore raising the temperature there. Also, even though heat does rise, the production of heat at the top will force the "less heated air" down as newly created hot air is produced. Having the heat tape on the bottom produced an incubation area temperature of 84.5F while having it on the top reached 86.8F. I am planning on experimenting with putting the heat tape on the side of the incubator next!

a better ways to do this would be to buy a ranco t-stat and take the flexwatt half way up both sides and across the bottom like a "U" shape. and put a 3" computer fan at the top on one side and another on the bottom of the opposite side of the top fan to circulate the air. you will have to use a thermometer in the egg bin so you can adjust the temp properly for the eggs. Also use a lid on the container so the eggs don't dry out.

The only reason I set the incubator up this way is because these were the supplies that I had on hand. I made my rack system and had an extra one foot of flexwatt and my friend gave me the mini-fridge. I have just been messing around with it. This is by no means ideal nor is it a final product for incubating. I have every intention of getting more flexwatt to heat the incubator and I am going to control the heating elements with a dimmer rather than a thermostat. None of my snakes are ready for breeding anyways, I have atleast another half year before that. As for now, I have the one foot of flexwatt, tubs of water in the bottom of the incubator to supply humidity, a 12v computer fan for air circulation and the dimmer for heat control.

sorry to sound as if i was trying to bash your project I was just giving my opinion.

No harm no foul, good critique.

I just built a 5 tier like yours...only much less pretty. (I'm not that handy...so I have some extra holes and stuff...
I was surprised at how heavy the rack was. Melamine is HEAVY.
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"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)