Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hola , I just a few things to ask. First I have had reptiles for 5 years now. I am wanting to do a rack system. I have already have shelves in my closet and I was wondering, can you place flexwatt on top of wood? And can rosy or sand boas be kept in a rack system? If they can what size bin do they need?
Thank you

You can place the flexwatt on top of the wood. Make sure you use a thermostat, or at least a rheostat unit to make sure the heat build up between the flexwatt and the cage bottom doesnt get too much. You are looking at achieving a hot spot of around the low to upper 80s depending on what species you are keeping. Not cook your snakes!!

I know a few breeders and keepers of sand and rosy boas who use rack systems. Smaller males of both can probably stay in smaller box sizes, like 15 quart. The larger females may need the larger 28qt size, but only if three feet or longer IMO. Also, since the boxes are plastic, make sure extra ventilation holes are drilled or melted along the sides of the boxes for rosy and sand boas. They like it drier in general and the typical rack system only have a small gap between the top edge of the box and the overlying shelf. This may not be adequate for those two desert boas.

I have kept rosy and sand boas in racks for several years and have found that they can work quite well. For females above 30-32 inches (or the uncommonly large male) I use 28-32qt boxes. For males and smaller females I use 15-18qt boxes. Ventilation is definitely key for these species. I punch holes one per inch in the sides of the box and two rows (also at one per inch) on the box ends. This can mean up to 80 or 90 holes for a 30 qt box. In my experience a 30qt box with fewer than 30 holes will remain too stagnant. Others have used very few holes, but these hobbyists often keep a water dish in the box only occasionally. For 15-32qt boxes I use 3 inch heat tape. I prefer bottom heat, but back heat has worked for me in the past as well. As for boxes I would suggest the Iris brand MCB-L (30qt) for several reasons. I prefer these boxes to most others because they are clear, flat-bottomed (no grooves for feces or substrate to get stuck in), and have small "feet" at each corner. the feet keep the box from coming into direct contact with the heat tape. They can make for a little bit of a "bump" when sliding the box in or out though. What I have said above is based on my own experiences. Others may have methods that work just as well for them, but this is what works for me.