Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Another rack question before I begin making my own....

I've seen rack sets ups that utilize tubs both with and without lids. I have thought up a couple advantages/disadvantages of each and would like you to add to them.

(With Lid)
Can remove tubs for maintenance and not have to worry about escapees.
Tolerances when building the rack do not have to be perfect.
- A little more difficult to just drop in a feeder or check temps

(Without Lid)
Easier to feed and check temps
- can't just take tubs out and set aside for maintenance
- Rack has to be made for perfect fit
- Have to dispose of or find place to store the lids (lol)

Thid is just a guess, but I would assumed that with backheat lidless tubs would heat better b/c they can get slightly closer to the heat.

thanks for reading!
Jeff

Jeff,

I have written long posts about this but will summarize by saying that I never recommend a rack w/lids unless it is for hatchlings of certain species.

Regarding your pros/cons, believe it or not some rack with lids are actually LESS secure depending upond the design of the box/lid.

Also, I have never heard of anyone regretting building a lidless rack. Racks with lids, A LOT of regrets.
-----
Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

2.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

4.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

I've used both and depending on the snakes your keeping lids on can be beneficial. I just retired my oldest rack after 8 years. I built and rebuilt that rack a couple of times. It was always designed for the boxes to be used with the lids. When you use boxes that are heated with direct belly heat and the lids on, you can run your flexwatt at a slightly lower setting. Your flexwatt last longer and you save a few nickles and dimes on electricity. Another advantage is higher humidity which is nice for boas and balls. Never had any shed problems with snakes that I kept in that rack.
Just another opinion. My new racks are all lidless.
John Q