Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have an L shaped space for a rack or two. I have 48" on the long side and 38" on the short side, I can make it as tall and wide as I must as onng as I can see and reach in the top dwawers. I am 5'6". I need quite a few shoe boxes and some blanket boxes. (smaller are for hatchling BPs and Leo Gex, bigger are for adult BPs) What should I do, have one pre-made with heat installed, or butild it myself and get some kind of heat? I am thinking flexwatt, but I am not sure how to wire it, Would need a different thermostat for each row? I think it would be better to have it made, but do you know of a good place that will do this for a decent price? or is there 2 smaller racks that I could buy ready-made and use the space? Thanks for all the help and sorry for the long post, but I am trying to get this room done! Thanks again! Krystal
My site (will I ever quit updating?)

Hi Krystal,

Given that you will need boxes to hold everything mentioned I think it is best if you and your dad build them yourself.

What I would do is build one rack about 24" wide and make it to hold Rubbermaid sweater boxes that slide in width-wise. That way you can use the half or full sized on the same tier. I'll attach a picture of a rack like that. Rubbermaids are best as their slightly lower height allows you to put 7 tiers in a 48" tall rack. Given lumber comes in 48" increments it is a good use of material. Also, the 28 qt. Rubbermaid has changed over the years, but is the least changed sweater box around. I still have one from 1987 and it is within 1/16" in height of the ones I bought last summer.

If you will be wanting to house adult BP's (including large females) in a lidless rack system there are two boxes that come to mind.

First is the Iris CB-110 box that is about 39" x 17" x 6". There is also and Iris box 33" long if you don't plan to use the rack for your largest specimens.

Another box I really like is the Sterilite Xmas Wreath box that is 28"x28"x8". Dollar General sells the exact same box but it is no longer sold as a Wreath Box.

Both of these boxes are sturdily built and will withstand use in a lidless rack system. Other large boxes, like most available under-bed boxes, cannot handle the flex issues with lidless rack systems and will start to crack eventually.

So one sweater-box rack and one rack built around one of the larger boxes will fit nicely in that corner given you can't overlap them. Any leftover space can hold a small shelf for supplies - a must in any herp room.

I'd build the sweater box rack with 7 tiers and 48" tall. On top of that I'd build a small shoebox rack with the shoebox of your choice.

The large box rack could be as tall as you like it. With these sized boxes you are always wasting some material but that's not that big of a deal. Heck the leftover might be perfect for the shoebox rack.

I think you could heat these with heat-tape lined vertically up the back. Don't worry about the wiring issues just yet. Also, I doubt you would need a thermostat for each row.

I'm trying to get away from rack systems myself, but admit that BP's do seem to do well in them. I think they feel more secure feeling they get in the tigher space.

Makes me wonder why you've been so preocupied with building larger cages if you were considering rack all along?

BTW, I built the rack pictures for $40 not including boxes or heating stuff.

:Given that you will need boxes to hold everything mentioned I think it is best if you and your dad build them yourself.

Kool. OK.

:What I would do is build one rack about 24" wide and make it to hold Rubbermaid sweater boxes that slide in width-wise. That way you can use the half or full sized on the same tier.

OK, from the looks of the pic, it sould work beautifully!

:Rubbermaids are best as their slightly lower height allows you to put 7 tiers in a 48" tall rack. Given lumber comes in 48" increments it is a good use of material. Also, the 28 qt. Rubbermaid has changed over the years, but is the least changed sweater box around. I still have one from 1987 and it is within 1/16" in height of the ones I bought last summer.

Sounds good.

:First is the Iris CB-110 box that is about 39" x 17" x 6". There is also and Iris box 33" long if you don't plan to use the rack for your largest specimens.

I like the dementions on the first one, I will try that one.

:So one sweater-box rack and one rack built around one of the larger boxes will fit nicely in that corner given you can't overlap them. Any leftover space can hold a small shelf for supplies - a must in any herp room.

OK. I am making room for storage under the BP "condos" also, and it will be helping to get that bottom cage off the floor, just a simple plywood & 2x4 cabinet. And I get to share the closet LOL.

:I'd build the sweater box rack with 7 tiers and 48" tall. On top of that I'd build a small shoebox rack with the shoebox of your choice.

I think making the sweater box rack and the larger rack a bit shorter and making more shoe boxes would work out better, since there is a possibility to have many hatchlings at the same time.

:I think you could heat these with heat-tape lined vertically up the back. Don't worry about the wiring issues just yet. Also, I doubt you would need a thermostat for each row.

OK, I was worried about spending a TON more $$ on thermostats.

:I'm trying to get away from rack systems myself, but admit that BP's do seem to do well in them. I think they feel more secure feeling they get in the tigher space.

Also I would love to have them all in cages like my BP condos I am working on now, but space is an issue, it is 1 room and I onlt get /2 of it, and it is not a large rtoom to begin with, so I figure space is a necessity, I will have my main BPs in the "condos" and when I get my own place and Herp room, I will have nice cages for all my herps, besides hatchlings that will be for sale, but for now, this is all I can do unless I want to cut myself off at 4 BPs and a couple Leos. (This also answers your last question)

Thanks again Chris, you are always there when I need you the most!
My site (will I ever quit updating?)