Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently built a temporary rack for housing hatchling ball pythons until I get around to selling them. I'm kinda using the experience to work out the bugs so I can build a couple of bigger, more permanant racks.
I've heard mention of railings for the tubs to slide on, so the tubs don't rub constantly on the heat tape. This sounds like a great plan.
How do I go about making rails?
Also, I'm getting sick of pulling the tubs all the way out to take off the lids to do anything in the cage. I'm thinking that if I build the next one without lids I'd have to make the tolerances tight to prevent escapes, and the tubs would really rub on the heat tape, but the rails would help with this also.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Kirk
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1.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.1 Ball Python
1.1 Corn Snake
0.1 Gray band Kingsnake
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
0.1 Pueblan Milksnake
1.0 Bullsnake
1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback (Hondo)
0.1 Spouse (WC)
0.0.8 hatchling ball pythons

Going with the tub/rail design will defenetly solve the lid problem. It will also take care of the minor differences in tub heigth.

>>How do I go about making rails?

Well what are you going to make the rack out of and do you know what tubs your going to use. This is a big deal that depends on the room inwhich the rack is going to be placed.

For example if the room the rack resides in is already warm than an open rack designed can be used. Similar to the Vision rack. But if the room isn't heated then you should favor the closed design to conserve heat.

One other point, if you are going with the rail rack then you need to choose a tub with sides that are parallel with each other and have a good lip. Iris tubs available at reptiletubs.com make good sliding tubs for use on rails.

There are a number of websites that have good plans and step by step instructions. I know Exotics By Nature used to have a good set of plans on their website but don't know if it's still there.

>>
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"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

Jeremy is right on, a rack system where the boxes slide on rails is ultimately more secure.

The other information he requested will also be helpful to answer this question.

And I also agree that Iris tubs are very good for sliding-rail type racks.

But I also wonder if you really need this for BP's which are not exactly good escape artists.

Intead, you can mill a shallow groove for the tape and cover it with Sintra, which increases thermal mass (a good thing).

Of course you could do this with a rack that slides on rails as well.

Lastly, ARBreptiles.com has a plan for a rail style rack.

Thanks for the info Chris. Actually the new racks won't be for BP's. I have the two adult BP's which already have nice cages. I'm going to sell the hatchlings ASAP. I'm planning on getting mates for some of my colubrids (some of which are escape artists-milksnakes) and make room for some new acquisitions. I'll check out that website you listed for some more info on rails.
Thanks,
Kirk
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1.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.1 Ball Python
1.1 Corn Snake
0.1 Gray band Kingsnake
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
0.1 Pueblan Milksnake
1.0 Bullsnake
1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback (Hondo)
0.1 Spouse (WC)
0.0.8 hatchling ball pythons

I went to that website. While it has lots of great info that I enjoyed reading and learned a lot, I didn't find anything about rails. The hatchling rack that he showed being build didn't use them.
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1.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.1 Ball Python
1.1 Corn Snake
0.1 Gray band Kingsnake
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
0.1 Pueblan Milksnake
1.0 Bullsnake
1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback (Hondo)
0.1 Spouse (WC)
0.0.8 hatchling ball pythons

Try this one.

http://arbreptiles.com/cages/iris_rack/iris_rack.shtml

Is this a hatchling rack or an adult rack?

I have 15 Iris blanket boxes (STC410D), and 10 Iris sweater boxes (STC600D). So it's going to be a combination of adult and hatchling sized containers.
The blanket boxes are 24 inches wide and the sweater boxes are 12 inches wide, both are the exact same height. I want the versitility of being able to use two small ones or one large one per shelf.
I'm planning on making two indentical racks, side by side, each with 10 levels. So one of the racks will have all blanket boxes, and the other a mix of both sizes. I'm going to heat all but the bottom levels, which will have a empty tub to be used as a storage area.
I should be able to do it with 3 sheets of 4'x8' cabinet grade birch plywood. 2 sheets for the shelves and 1 for the sides. I've already figured my cuts.
I'm planning on using pegboard for the backside to stop the tubs and provide ventalation, I can always attach some reflectix over the pegboard if I need additional insulation during the winter, since it's actually in part of the garage (which can be heated/cooled).
The side walls will go to about 4" short of the back of the shelves so I can run 3' heat tape across the back of each shelf and have room for the wires to drop down to the next level.
On the temporary rack I recently built, the tubs don't slide over the heat tape/foil tape on the back of the racks very well, so I was hoping to figure a way to solve that problem and still keep the tubs tight enough that I can use them without lids and still prevent escape. I was hoping for some kind of rails to raise the tubs slightly off the tape. So far I haven't seen anything I like. So I guess I'll just have to figure out a way to recess the back of each shelf to the width of the heat tape/foil tape. I'm not sure this will actually prevent the tape from being damaged by the friction of the sliding or even allow the tubs to slide smoothly. It seems like I remember some one mentioning cutting some pvc pipe in half and setting a couple strips of that front to back for the tubs to slide on. If you have anymore info on that, please share.
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1.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.1 Ball Python
1.1 Corn Snake
0.1 Gray band Kingsnake
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
0.1 Pueblan Milksnake
1.0 Bullsnake
1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback (Hondo)
0.1 Spouse (WC)
0.0.8 hatchling ball pythons

The big downfall to racks that can use rails is that it's tricky to use more than one size of box.

After reading over your posts and concerns I think I'd recommend going with a normal old rack and just take care to build it to tight tolerances. I know that many milksnake breeders keep hatchlings of the some of the smaller species in lidless racks so I know it can be done.

I would mill a groove in each shelf for the flexwatt to rest in. I would then cover the entire shelf with thin Sintra.

What tools/techniques would you recommend to mill the groove for the heat tape and what is Sintra
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1.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.1 Ball Python
1.1 Corn Snake
0.1 Gray band Kingsnake
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
0.1 Pueblan Milksnake
1.0 Bullsnake
1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback (Hondo)
0.1 Spouse (WC)
0.0.8 hatchling ball pythons

Sintra material is closed-cell, expanded plastic, high-density polyvinylchloride sheet. Sintra is a homogeneous material that allows the ease of cutting without regard for grain. At half the weight of solid PVC, Sintra may be stapled, nailed, riveted, glued, and thermoformed. Forming may be done on conventional forming machines. Because this material is not hydroscopic, it needs no drying pre-forming. Sintra is available in 9 thickness' 1mm-13mm all thickness' are available in white, some thickness' are also available in black and white color. Sintra sheet sizes include 39"x96", 48"x48", 48"x96", 48"x120", 60"x120", 79.92"x120". Cut to size is available on request.
Sintra®– as descirbed in our introduction is also fire resistant, water resistant, and resistant to certain chemicals. It will stay flat, yet it is flexible enough for exacting shapes and intricate designs. It provides a non-warping mounting surface that maintains uniform color throughout. Sintra material can be silk-screened and painted without priming.
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1.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.1 Ball Python
1.1 Corn Snake
0.1 Gray band Kingsnake
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
0.1 Pueblan Milksnake
1.0 Bullsnake
1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback (Hondo)
0.1 Spouse (WC)
0.0.8 hatchling ball pythons

A table saw with a dado blade or a router would be best.

But if those are not available you could always do something else. For one, find something that is just a hair thicker than flexwatt. Laminate that onto the shelf in every place where the flexwatt WON'T be.

Then place the flexwatt the area that's left over.

Then place Sintra over everything.

Sintra is a type of expanded PVC. Very similar to what Boaphile and Jungle Habitats use for their cages.

Pick it up at sign shops or plastic distributors. You will not find it at Home Depot.

n/p
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1.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.1 Ball Python
1.1 Corn Snake
0.1 Gray band Kingsnake
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
0.1 Pueblan Milksnake
1.0 Bullsnake
1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback (Hondo)
0.1 Spouse (WC)
0.0.8 hatchling ball pythons

Well, that's good news, since I have already bought the tubs. I have Iris tubs and I got them from reptiletubs. I ordered several from him and one came in broken, which he promptly replaced. I've enjoyed doing business with him. I'm planning on putting the racks on the other side of my garage. That side is separated from the other two car side and has central heat and air to it. I've had the air duct blocked off so far and haven't used it, but I'll open that side up when I put the racks out there. I'll have to improve the insulation on that side though, and I already have some ideas for that. My point is that I'm going for a more closed type rack to hold the heat in and I'm leaning on making it out of cabinet grade birch plywood.
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1.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.1 Ball Python
1.1 Corn Snake
0.1 Gray band Kingsnake
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
0.1 Pueblan Milksnake
1.0 Bullsnake
1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback (Hondo)
0.1 Spouse (WC)
0.0.8 hatchling ball pythons