Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm considering setting up a rack setup for my pits, SD gophers and bulls, actually my corns, spotted pythons too and had a few questions.

1. What size "sweater box" do you feel would be appropriate? Is there any place cheaper than your average Home Depot to buy, say 20-30?

2. Using melamine shelves, should I get 4' or 11' flex watt? Or do you feel another type of heating would be better? I live in the Midwest and the winters get cold. Snakes are in the basement but would probably be brumated anyway during the coldest months.

Right now they are in converted fish aquariums (20L - 55gal) using both UTH and incandesant bulbs on the screen top.
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Ken Roshak
BlackSwampSerpents@toast.net

The Sterilites that are like 34x16x6 are great for all but the largest adults(Target is a good source for them). For larger adults, we like the concrete mixing tubs that are available from home supply stores.

Thanks Shaun, I'll have to check my local Target.

Do you use the lids for the racks or lidless?

What do you find is the best method of providing heat?

Thank you.
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Ken Roshak
BlackSwampSerpents@toast.net

Lidless, that way, you can drill holes right into your shelf to provide some vertical air flow as well.

I prefer to use heat tape whenever possible, and with adult cages, it isn't too big of a deal to leave enough gap so that the boxes still slide easily(not so easy with hatchling racks, where you really have to be tight with your gap).
P&S Pituophis

Thanks Shaun. Never thought about vertical vents. Cool.
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Ken Roshak
BlackSwampSerpents@toast.net

How do you use heat tape? Does it get too hot? Dimmer switches or thermostats? Will 3" suffice for species that like it closer to 90F? How do you keep it from burning? Where do you buy it?

Shaun, could you please post some pics or explain how you are set-up to use the concrete mixing tubs. I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks Casey

Don't have a pic handy, but you can make a rack just like you would for storage boxes out of 2x4s and thin plywood or even fiberboard.