Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have wasted over $300 trying to build a rack system that i dont have to leave the sterilite covers on and something that wont hit me in the head for alot of $$$$$ I love the vision racks but $700 for 10 single unit levels thats to out of my league HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLP MEEEEEEEEEEEE THANK YA

MELAMINE = TO FRAGILE AND FLAKY
MDF = WAYYYYYYY TO HEAVY AND SAGGY

Hello,
Here is a pic of my adult ball racks(about $250 with heat). This design is from Sean at Exotics by Nature. He has some plans on his website of a similar but larger rack. Go check out those plans, they may help you out. Also is a pic of my melamine baby rack. Mark Mandic of Markus Jayne uses the melamine racks for all of his balls, I believe. Go check out his website as well.
Good Luck,

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Tim and Monica Bailey
Bailey & Bailey Reptiles
website on the way

Are the tubs Iris cb70? What do you use for the top. I can't see if it is hardware cloth or something solid. I think it has ventilation since I don't see any holes in the box.
Thanks mike

Hey Mike,
Yes those are IRIS CB-70's. For the top, I use 1/2" x 1/2" hardware cloth. The only problem with the design is humidity, if you try to maintain humidity in the tubs. I keep the entire room at about 65% humidity, so it is not a problem for me. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Sincerely,
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Tim and Monica Bailey
Bailey & Bailey Reptiles
website on the way

I also built a rack based on Sean's design and I really like it, but I wasn't sure the best way to run the heat tape. I ended up using sheet metal cut into 5" strips and screwed to each level, then taping the heat tape down to that for belly heat. I was just wondering how you did the heat on yours. I am planning on building a couple more like these and would like to see how others have done the heat.
Thanks,
Evan Jamison

If I remember correctly they were about $200 each. It was labor intensive but worth it. Definately do your homework. I spent several months looking at other peoples snake racks before I designed mine.
Chris

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...aren't you worried about nose rubs using hardware cloth? Ron
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The Crawl Space

I put nylon screen material between the inside of the tubs and the hardware cloth. I was going to use the plastic hardware cloth but was worried the rodents might chew through before they were eated. I used metal hardware cloth. The rodents have ended up chewing through the nylon screen material. I think next time I'll try for a coated metal hardware cloth or a solid material with vent holes. Here is a melamine rack I built years ago. Mainly a hatchling rack.
Chris

This is a vision rack. This model goes for around $200-$300 depending if you catch a deal!
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*Amy*

Below is our rack...it is from vision products.

It cost us $199 at the Tinley show in October new. I love it! It is on wheels and heat and tubs were included. It is a ten rack 32 quarts, but I converted the bottom shelf into a hatchling shelf and used smaller bins.

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*Amy*