Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am building a snake rack with 28qt boxes, and i can't figure how to route 3" heat tape so it is in teh back on the bottom of each level....Please help!

I need help with this.

Get a router...make a 3" route in the back of each shelf.

Not trying to be a smartass, maybe I just dont understand what you're trying to ask.

Tegan

I am a woodwork newbie, what is a router, and i was wondering how to wire it.

A router is a wood working tool. You can pick up one at Menards or Home Depot for 60-100 bucks. You'll want a "plunge" type router. Just mark off a three inch strip on the back of the shelf, set the router to the depth ya want and most important WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES!!!..then just route away. If you ask the salesperson they might be able to tell you a little more on how to use it.

Not being an expert myself it didn't take me long to figure out how to use it.

As far as wireing the heat tape I've seen it done one of two ways. 1. You can run the tape along each shelf giving each shelf it's own plug. OR 2. You can weave it from shelf to shelf. I prefer to give each shelf it's own plug, less chances of haveing heat problems with the entire rack.

http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/flexwire.html

The above is a good how to on wireing flexwatt.

Hope this helps.

Tegan

If you don't want to mess with a router, just put a layer of thin peg board on each shelf and leave just the room in the back for heat tape.That way the boxes don't rub on the tape.I am using 11" going down the back of mine.I have just about a solid wall of heat from the tape.If you have anymore questions just ask...

Lotzakritters
-----
1.0 Red Tail Boa = Flick
1.1 Mexican Black Kingsnakes = Storm & Raven
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon = Mr.Mouth
1.0 Green Iguana = Merlin
0.0.1 Snow Corn = Blizz
0.0.1 Striped Corn = Stripe
0.0.1 Red Candy Cane = Twizzler
1.1 Emperor Scorpions =
0.0.18 Baby Tree Frogs
0.0.1 Baby Alligator lizard =
0.0.2 Baby Granite Spiny Lizards
0.0.2 Baby Side-Blotched Lizards
1.0 Black Lab/Chow Mix = Dakota
0.1 Ferret = Zoey
1.0 Horse = Austin
1.1 Parakeets =
1 Freshwater Fish Tank
And A Lot Of Mice

This Is Only Just The Beginning

Hi all –

I haven’t built any racks or used pegboard for any caging applications, so you can take this for what it is worth. I would think that pegboard laid across the shelves would really swell up under the humid conditions of a rack. And given the reasonably close tolerances you have for shelf spacing (so that critters can’t escape), over time you might have a really tough time extricating the tubs from the rack.

-Joan