Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm ready to switch over to a rack system but I have a couple of worries I need answers to. Racks such as the Boaphile Ball rack, the ones at Jasons Jungle, and several others I've seen have the tubs resting on shelves instead of a screen. These same shelves act as the lid for the tub below. Do the snakes inside get the proper ventilation they need? Also, when using flexwatt under the warm side to achieve 90 degrees wouldn't the cool side which is suppose to be 5-10 degrees cooler be much warmer if there isn't much room for the cooler air to enter and the warm air to escape. It seems there's only a 1/4 inch or less gap between the tub and the shelf above? I guess what I'm tryin to ask is it possible to achieve the proper heat gradient temperatures at both ends of the tub using these racks, and do they get suffient fresh air? Thanks for your help, Joe
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1.0 Albino ball python
0.1 100% het Albino ball
0.1 Normal ball
1.0 Sunglow cornsnake
0.0.1 Snow cornsnake

You have to put plenty of holes in the tubs, just like you would if you were using a lid on the container & keeping an animal in it.

Yes you can get a good heat gradient.
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Chad Bachman

I have a Jason's Jungles Rack and it does not have belly heat. There are 2 strip of Flexwatt that runs down the back wall. I beleive all of his have this. In regards to your question about ventilation. Just pop some holes in the side of the tubes and it is fine. Its a lot better than a screened top. It is so hard to keep in moisture in those things. Once I got my rack no more wet towels across the top of my aquariums. I probably have 10-15 different aquariums in a closet collecting dust. I wish I knew, I would have saved some money. The heat gradiant is perfect and consistent. I have a rack system that has the tubs short ways so it does not get the best gradiant but in the hot spot it is 93 and in the cool spot in is 84 maybe 85. I can also turn one of the strips off to create a larger cool down area.

Good Luck

...and they have back and belly heat, you can use either or both! And yes there is a proper heat gradient.

>>I'm ready to switch over to a rack system but I have a couple of worries I need answers to. Racks such as the Boaphile Ball rack, the ones at Jasons Jungle, and several others I've seen have the tubs resting on shelves instead of a screen. These same shelves act as the lid for the tub below. Do the snakes inside get the proper ventilation they need? Also, when using flexwatt under the warm side to achieve 90 degrees wouldn't the cool side which is suppose to be 5-10 degrees cooler be much warmer if there isn't much room for the cooler air to enter and the warm air to escape. It seems there's only a 1/4 inch or less gap between the tub and the shelf above? I guess what I'm tryin to ask is it possible to achieve the proper heat gradient temperatures at both ends of the tub using these racks, and do they get suffient fresh air? Thanks for your help, Joe
>>-----
>>1.0 Albino ball python
>>0.1 100% het Albino ball
>>0.1 Normal ball
>>1.0 Sunglow cornsnake
>>0.0.1 Snow cornsnake

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JMHO, FWIW, YMMV.

Most racks have a gap of about 1/8". Sometimes more, sometimes less.

On a typical 28 qt. sweater box that's 9 sq. inches of ventilation. That's the same as about 700 ventilation holes of 1/8" diameter. On a larger box it's quite a bit more, especially when you consider how Ball Pythons don't need a very tight gap.

700 holes is a lot of ventilation. In fact the only reason to drill holes is to aid with cross ventilation and to allow some of the heavier than air gases to escape. Not many are needed for that.
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Current snakes:

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.3 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

3.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

I guess it's up to you. I have boaphile racks and I put holes in my tubs. The clearance is pretty tight, I put the holes in the front and the back that way the air gets changed every time I open the tub. I use a hot soldering iron to melt the holes. Sometimes if you use a drill you can crack the tub.

Mark

Are you happy w/ the boaphile rack? Thats the one I'm leaning towards. Are you able to get good temperatures at both ends?
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1.0 Albino ball python
0.1 100% het Albino ball
0.1 Normal ball
1.0 Sunglow cornsnake
0.0.1 Snow cornsnake

Yes you can get a good temperature gradient.

Please put hole in the tubs regardless of what you hear, if you don't trust me, just ask the Barker's how important good ventilation is.
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Chad Bachman

since the tub will be enclosed on the sides and back, will holes only in the front be enough?
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1.0 Albino ball python
0.1 100% het Albino ball
0.1 Normal ball
1.0 Sunglow cornsnake
0.0.1 Snow cornsnake

I'd put them all the way around.....it only takes a few minutes to drill them out..and they last for a decade or two.......

.......air is good........

.....want my old baby snake racks..?.....they had some air ..not enough.....they aren't worth crap now....the boxes stick so badly.......*(melamine...I got plastic ones now..and they work fine.....ask PMHerps.com......)
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"just ask the Barker's how important good ventilation is."

That sounds like there's a good lesson type story behind that comment. Can you let us in on it?

Cheryl

They always stress the importance of good ventilation, even if it means working harder to maintain the proper humidity. I just used them as an example, because nobody seems to trust what I say....LOL.

Maybe I should take a hint from people here, and stop giving them advice they won't take. Oh well, their loss, not mine.
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Chad Bachman

I'm very happy with them. I've got 8 of the old style rubbermaid sweater box racks. I've had them for about 3 years now and they still look and work like new. They are tight fitting with maybe a 1/32 to 1/16 inch clearance unlike his newer racks. Yes I have holes in both the front and the back. I'd like to pick up some of his Rhino Racks because they're bigger. The ones I have are probably too small, but the balls don't know this so they still feed and breed just fine.

Mark

>>Are you happy w/ the boaphile rack? Thats the one I'm leaning towards. Are you able to get good temperatures at both ends?
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>>1.0 Albino ball python
>>0.1 100% het Albino ball
>>0.1 Normal ball
>>1.0 Sunglow cornsnake
>>0.0.1 Snow cornsnake

I have 10 different types of Boaphile racks.......my thoughts on your questions.

Do the snakes inside get the proper ventilation they need? Yes...just drill holes in your tubs for additional ventilation.

I guess what I'm tryin to ask is it possible to achieve the proper heat gradient temperatures at both ends of the tub using these racks, and do they get suffient fresh air? Yes...not a problem the cold side of the tub will be the ambient temp of your room.
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Jim Perron
Python Passion Reptiles
pythonpassion@hotmail.com
www.pythonpassionreptiles.com