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ive been putting together the plans for a 5 tub rack system an i have a few questions is there a reason everybody uses melamine compared to plywood .like does it hold up to heat tape better or is there a greater risk of fire with plywood? also wouldnt it be cheaper to just use 1/2 " plywood and lighter, then melamine. ive done the research and have a rough number of about 201$ for a melamine unit i dont know the plywood numbers but i got to think its cheaper. i get my numbers from every thing i need for the rack.
6-36"lx17"w melamine shelving 42$
2-24"wx42"l melamine sheeting 40$
4casters 10$
box of screws 1 1/2" 4$
5 sterilite containers 34 3/4"lx16 1/2"wx6"t 35$
20 watt 11' heat tape 3$ afoot roughly 15-20$
thermostat 25$
metal tape, electrical tape, 1-6' extention cord,2 metal clips 10$
1-42"lx19"w peg board 15$
also is it better to put the heat tape underneath half the containers or just straight down the back? i l;ive in the north east and the ambient room temp will be around 68-70 degrees. thanks in advance

The nice thing about Melamine is that the Sterilite boxes slide very smoothly in and out on that slick surface. Plywood will absorb moisture and sometimes warp and grow fungus and mold if you use your Sterilite boxes with no lid, as most people do. Melamine is less abrasive to cage inhabitants that could rub their noses on the rougher plywood. You could paint the plywood but this would bring the price of things up to Melamine and is alot more work not to mention the possible toxic components in paint compared to none in Melamine. Just a few thoughts!

>>You could paint the plywood but this would bring the price of things up to Melamine and is alot more work not to mention the possible toxic components in paint compared to none in Melamine.

Melamine contains formaldehyde, which is a Class 1 carcinogen!!! Applying high heat to melamine is a particularly good way to guarantee formaldehyde out-gassing... I used to correspond with a big-time breeder who eventually trashed thousands of dollars in melamine racks, due to elavated formaldehyde levels near his snakes!

Of course, plywood has the same problem to a certain extent.

I have built racks using either or a combination of both. In general the melamine will be 1) cheaper and 2) straighter than plywood. Boxes do slide better on melamine.

Whether I make a rack out of plywood or melamine I always coat the underside of the shelves (essentially the lid of each box) with rubberized contact paper. This is easy to clean and does not bubble up like melamine in humid racks. It is also easily replaced. It is essential for plywood shelves but not absolutely necessary for melamine. I won't go without it, though.

Melamine will be heavier and it not always the most durable when it comes to moving the racks, bumping into them, etc.

I've used 1/2" plywood for racks but only on the sides, not for the shelves. It does save a lot of weight but make sure you find a sheet that is not warped. I have used 3/4" plywood for shelves with no problem. The sliding issue is a problem so you'd need 1) plywood with two smooth sides, and 2) to coat it with polyurethane or paint or contact paper, etc.

For only 5 boxes 1/2" plywood might work. With your long boxes make sure you have them slide in lenghth-wise and not width wise. That way the sides will prevent the 1/2" plywood from sagging along the length of the box.

I believe a 1/2" plywood is half the weight of 3/4" melamine.

If you do use 1/2" plywood please let us know how it works. It will be a bit harder to work with, especially when it comes to getting screws centered, etc. I'm skeptical to recommend it given I've not used it for the actual shelves of my racks.

Lastly, 1/2" plywood will not be cheaper than melamine. With the hurricane out east this fall there was a shortage in plywood and a subsequent rise in prices. Any 1/2" plywood that will be of good enough quality will cost more than a sheet of melamine.

Also, make sure you get a product with two smooth sides. Your best best will be a 1/2" birch or maple laminated plywood.

Here is a picture of a rack I built using 1/2" AC plywood for the sides. Since it is for the sides having two smooth sides is not necessary.

thanks for your posts as for rubberized contact paper were can i get it. i havent made a choice yet but i will let you know.thanks again.

You can buy contact paper almost anywhere. I've bought three rolls at Lowes and Home Depot this week.

Contact brand did not stick as well as the "Peel and Stick" brand. I'll try to check and make sure I have those names right.