Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey, how's it going?

Quick question: I have been searching high and low for plastic storage bins, tubs, etc everywhere and could use some assistance.

I have noticed a lot of the breeder tubs for columbian boas are apppx a few hundred dollars or more and wondering if there was a more economical location for tubs?

The Container Store has really large tubs but the problem is the larger you go the taller in many cases.

Also, could you tell me your opinions on what the floor dimenstions & volume that you would suggest to breeding a pair of boas in?

Thanks.

I made this 4 foot wide rack system so it would have a lots of air flow around it and it's on wheel so you can move it around when you need to. I used a wire shelving system and the Sterilite 15 qt. tub # 1754 for baby boas and the Sterilite 74 qt. tub # 1969 for sub adults and boas about 6 feet long and less than 12 to 15 lbs. The 1754 tub measures 17 inches x 11 inches x 6 - 3/8 inches and the 1969 tub measures 44 inches x 19 - 3/4 inches x 6 - 3/8 inches. I also used 4 inch flexwatt along the back of each shelf to heat the tubs.

The heat tape is mounted on 1/4 inch masonite with aluminum tape. The electrical wires are solder, silicone caulk and electrical taped in place on the flexwatt. So there is no wires or flexwatt tape touching the metal rack. This way there is no way for you or the snakes to get shocked. The masonite also helps the tubs slide out easer when you want to open them.

Set up like this picture cost me about $350 with 4 inch X 44 inch flexwatt on each shelf. I had to buy 2 wire shelving set ups to make this one. The shelving cost around $80.00 each at Sam's club.

Here is the rack system I will make someday for myself if I ever take my hobby out of my home and make it my fulltime job. For now it's only a dream but here are some pictures of a mobile file system I have installed. As you can see this would make the "Ultimate Rack System" Just think....you would have 3 times the cage space in the same room you have now! Just add the tubs to the shelving. The shelving can be raised in 1" increments and come in many different sizes. The carriages can be made to any size, so I can even use my existing Freedom Breeder racks and wire rack system on the carriages. This system has hand cranks to move the carriages, but I can also have electric switches that will move any or all the carriages for me automatically. End panels can be made to match my home or office decor if I want.

Take care
Tom
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McCarthyBoas.com

I have used these steel racks for years, using 2 32 quart rubber made boxes per self. The 32 quart boxes i use are no longer available, so ive been searching for a replacement to them. Do the sterilite boxes sit flat or do they have feet ? The issue with the old rubbermaid boxes is that they have feet so the flex watt tape doesnt touch the underside of them. Kinda makes the tape a moot point....

The bottom of the tub is molded with some small recesses but the heat tape still touches most of the bottom of the tub. I like these size tub the best as both are the same size in height so you don't have to redo the shelving height to use the bigger tub.

You can buy the bigger tub on line at Target.com. It looks like they don't carry the smaller one anymore.

http://www.target.com/p/sterilite-74-qt-ultra-underbed-b0x-set-of-4-clear/-/A-14261668#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=Sterilite 74 qt. tub # 1969

Take care
Tom
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McCarthyBoas.com

I LOVE that idea!

I went to Home Depot and they have the metal rack for $99. It only has 5 rows though. Are you able to buy more levels?

Also, the tubs at target are similar to Walmart but they have 1 size I liked!

The largest I have been able to find ANYWHERE that is reasonably priced for a plastic tub was target. It was 44in x 21in x 6.75in for $19.

I need more levels for the rack and I should be good.

What about temperature loss? I live in so California and never turn on the heater except on rare occasions and will drop at night to 60 at times. Which is why I have all tubs in one large enclosure where the cool side as well as heated are monitored.

I had to buy two shelving systems so I could get the extra shelving I needed to make the one rack. The tubs I use you can buy on line at Target. The shelving system is Metro shelving so maybe you can buy extra from them. As for the heat loss you will have to play around with it for your set up and area. I live in North West Indiana so my heat is on all the time day and night.

Take care
Tom
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McCarthyBoas.com

What type of heating elements do you use? Cable?

All the info you are asking about is in my first post. I also put a link for the tubs in the post to JJ Nicholson.

Take care
Tom
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McCarthyBoas.com

My apologies, you very well did indeed!

Ok, so a quick question. You stated that you use the 1969 for "sub adults and boas"; I'm assuming the "boas" meant adults?

I'm already in the thought processes and planning my methods.

I bought a bunch of zoomed mats as the fluker and exoterrra pads seems to not be as consistent. In fact, the fluker I had worked great but don't seems to like the constant on/off of the thermostats and stated to flake on me. I returned the fluker 26" or whatever it is due to it startin to bubble on the inside. The exoterrra pads used to get raging warm when I first bought it but as of a month I can plug it in with no thermostat and they BARELY get warm.

The zoomeds however have remained crip and hot every time despite on of the pads being almost 7yrs old. Thermostats don't seem to bother them.

What's your take?

Thx

Yes I did mean adult boas that are 12 to 15 lbs. As for heat mats most of the one you mentioned can get to warm and start a fire if not used with a thermostat. I have see a Zoo Med mat burn a holes and melt a Vision cage someone gave me years ago. I ended up cutting the bad section out and replacing it and gave the cage to a friend of mine.

I use 3" 6 watt per foot and 4" 8 watts per foot flexwatt heat tape and make my own heat mats. Here are two links where you can buy the flexwatt. www.reptiletubs.com/heattape.htm www.reptilebasics.com/flexwatt-heat-tape When using these low watt heat tapes I don't even use a thermostat with my wire rack system. Now if you sandwich the flexwatt tight you should use a thermostat. With any heat mat you should always try and give it some air flow as this will help keep it from burning out or starting a fire.

Take care
Tom
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McCarthyBoas.com

Ok, so I went and purchased a commercial grade NSF chrome rack like you had pictured.

2 things...

The first is I have only seen them at Costco with the welded beam in the middle of the racks. Everywhere else such as lowes, Home Depot, etc doesn't and will allow for the center to be pushed up by the snake. The Costco version will prevent the center area from being hollow.

I went to Home Depot which had the white board that was cut perfectly to fit in the centers of the racks.

The second is I have been fighting with the rack and am wondering how you were able to get yours flush?

I have the bottom one slide in and out perfectly and fit flush. The middle is tight with the top being loose and an inch gap. If you lower one notch on the took too be too right, and if you go up one on the one in the middle that is tight, it'll be too loose.

How did you set yours up?

Thanks.