Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am looking into possibly getting a rack system. I have built all my own stuff to this point but I want to go nice and uniform. I like manufactured racks because I like how the tubs have no grooves and seem easier to clean. I was just wondering what rack systems people out there liked. Which ones are the cheapest but good? I would appreciate any opinions.
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1.1 Motley het butter corns
0.1 Snow corn
0.1 Okeetee corn
1.0 Anery mutt corn
0.1 Stripe Ghost corn
0.1 Amelanistic corn het carmel
2.2 Colombian Redtails
0.1 Striped Colombian Redtail
1.0 Hypo Colombian Redtail
0.1 Hogg Island Redtail
1.3.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0 Anery Kenyan sand boa
0.1 Normal Kenyan sand boa
1.1 Mexican Rosy Boas
2.0 Ball Pythons
0.0.1 Banded kingsnake
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python
3.0 Bearded Dragons
3.0 Leopard Geckos
0.2 Snow Leopard Geckos
0.0.5 Sulcatas
and lots of fish

Considering the list of different species that you own, you probably have many different husbandry needs. If you are considering one rack for multiple species, you'll need to consider tub sizes for adults as well as many different thermostats to control the different temperatures for your animals. Having a rack that offers individual heat control by level is probably a good move. You may also want to consider a rack on wheels for your colubrids. When it's time for hibernation, it will be nice if you can simply roll the rack out of the room with all of your boids.

I have vision, boaphile, freedom breeder, and a homemade melamine rack in my snake room. I like them all. The melamine rack was the cheapest, but took a while to build. It also doesn't have any resale value when compared to a name brand rack. If I were to do it again, I'd save the time, spend a few extra bucks, and simply buy a name brand rack.

Vision racks are really affordable, but using heat cable isn't the most efficient use of electricity. Low wattage heat tape is better. I prefer racks that will allow independent control of heating for each level. I built my melamine rack with this concept in mind. If I have an empty row of tubs, I can unplug the heat tape for that row only.

The only racks that I use that have one supply of heat are my boaphile baby racks. I am considering switching to freedom breeders for the electricity reason, and also because the tubs are longer. I can house neonates in the same tubs for longer, if I have tubs with more room.

There are other racks to consider as well, but I have no experience with them. Hope some of this information is useful.

-Anthony

I meant to say that I wanted a rack that would house adult red tail boas.
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1.1 Motley het butter corns
0.1 Snow corn
0.1 Okeetee corn
1.0 Anery mutt corn
0.1 Stripe Ghost corn
0.1 Amelanistic corn het carmel
2.2 Colombian Redtails
0.1 Striped Colombian Redtail
1.0 Hypo Colombian Redtail
0.1 Hogg Island Redtail
1.3.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0 Anery Kenyan sand boa
0.1 Normal Kenyan sand boa
1.1 Mexican Rosy Boas
2.0 Ball Pythons
0.0.1 Banded kingsnake
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python
3.0 Bearded Dragons
3.0 Leopard Geckos
0.2 Snow Leopard Geckos
0.0.5 Sulcatas
and lots of fish

For adult boa racks, I can tell you my experience with 3 different systems.

Boaphile 421D:

Pros:
Boaphiles are the nicest looking racks to have in your home. They are reasonably priced. They have a surface that is easy to clean. Can be purchased individually, in case you don't need a full stack.
Cons:
It can be hard to clean them due to the access (front window) only being 8 inches tall. This also makes removing large females more challenging. This won't be a problem if you don't plan on growing your females over 7 feet. Moving the stack can be difficult since they are not on wheels.

Vision 260 (adult boa rack)
Pros:
Most affordable "tub-style" system. Tubs allow for easy removal of any size boa as you will have access to the entire top of the enclosure. Removable tubs make cage cleaning easier, no need to stand on a ladder and reach into the back of a cage through a small opening. Slightly more square footage than Boaphiles. Lightweight system that is easy to breakdown and transport if you have to move. Come with wheels for ease of movement.
Cons:
You can't see your boas without opening the tubs. You'll need a step stool to see into the top 2 tubs, unless you plan on removing them every time you want to see your boas or clean. They are designed to use heat cable which isn't the most efficient use of energy. The heat cable design on the racks only provides a very small hot spot. This may not be enough heat for a gravid female to properly incubate her babies. If planning to breed in this rack, you'll probably need to get additional heat tape which will increase your cost, time, and frustration. Rack cannot be purchased one level at a time.

Ran out of room. Continue reading the next post to here my review of Freedom Breeder racks.

-Anthony

Freedom Breeder Jumbo (48 x 30 x 9)
Pros:
Solid metal construction, they will probably last longer than the other racks. They can be purchased as individual levels, although it's more affordable to purchase a stack. They provide the most square footage of any comparable sized cage. They are the shortest height full stack, allowing for ease of access to the top tubs. Viewing windows allow for easy observation of your boas without disrupting them. Ball-bearing hardware allows for ease of opening and closing the tubs. The rack is built on wheels for easy movement. Each level comes with an 11 inch by 33 inch low wattage heat panel, providing the largest low wattage heat supply of any rack. This is really good if you have large females.
Cons:
Most expensive rack to purchase, especially if you need to have them shipped. Metal construction means these racks are heavy. It is best to have 2 people to set-up, or dismantle one of these systems. The industrial look of the tubular metal makes them a bit of an eye sore in the home. If you purchase one of the older models with the metal-mesh lids, your boas can end up with nose rubs while cruising the enclosure. They don't hold ambient heat well, so you will need to make sure your room is at a proper temperature for the cold end of the cage (same goes for the vision rack).

You may also want to consider the long term plan of keeping boas. Many times people downsize their collections, and end up with a partially filled rack. It's probably easier to sell an individual boaphile 421D, then it is to sell an entire rack. More people can afford a cage than a rack. Additionally, if you sell an entire rack, you may not have room for the last one or two boas you really want to keep.

I probably left a few things out. I currently keep my adult females in boaphile 421D's, but I'd like to get a freedom breeder jumbo for my few larger females. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

-Anthony

I'm sure you have already, but simply do you're own research. Best bang for your buck was my big selling point. As I went on throughout the years I realized my needs changed. If you have a room like mine you may need several different styles of cages and racks. This is simply because of the shape/layout of my room. My point is what works for me may not work for you. Be careful who you take information from. Not everyone who answers these posts have a single litter under their belt. Just go through website after website and maybe ask some of the large scale breeders via email if they can recommend a rack for you. Some of the information you have already received is not necassarily accurate. Best of luck to you. Mike Panichi
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Honesty is my only policy
www.mikepanicreptiles.com

I've been quite happy with my Boaphile cage stack (been in use 10 years now) and my Prostack from Constrictors NW. Both companies are 'affordable' and the cages are pretty easy to clean, lightweight and easy to move around (the prostack is on wheels and is one unit).

Here's a photo of my prostack, I don't have any recent photos of my boaphile stack

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'There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."' -Rainshadow

cleaning/sanitizing will be a big concern and if you have kids, a job and life...you want a quick and easy removable tub!

Vision, Freedom breeders is what I use. The larger racks will be a challenge no matter what brand you use.

For ease of cleaning, mobility in your snake room "house" Vision works great.

For the big girls....freedom.

For the babies...make your own (tupperwear, heat tape, thermostat) or buy a baby rack that fits your budget.

if you are like most people, you will buy a few and decide later where to invest in later.

I have a butload of others like Boaphile, Critter Condos and home made stuff as well. If you only invest in one brand, then that's all you'll ever know.

Im going to have my first sizable clutch this season and too have to decide...Im bouncing from Vision and home made.

Good luck!!

Kenny
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4.9 BCI (Developing Project)
1.1 Eastern Indigo (Takata/Bruce)
2.3 Western Hognose (Albino/Het Albino)
2.2 Ball Python (Het Pied/Spider/Pastel)
1.1 Chondro (High Yellow/Sorong)
1.1 Kimberly Monitor
1.0 Ctenosaura Conspicuosa (Sexy Tame!)
1.1 Sahara Uromastic (Deer Fern Red Phase)
2.2 Crested Gecko
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python (Trophy)
0.0.1 African Long Neck Turtle (Pet)
1.0 Pitbull (Exceptional)
1.2 Kids (Hybrids)
0.1 Ball and Chain (Used)