So yesterday i was at WalMart checking out tubs(Which I find myself doing at least once a week) and they had these nifty little tubs that I think would be perfect for a Hatchling/Juvenile Rack.

The tubs I am thinking of using for hatchlings (70-150g) are the Sterilite 2.7qt Modular Latch Boxes.

They have the following dimensions, 11.5L x 7.38W x 3.25H

To house Juveniles(150g-400g) in the same rack I will be using the Sterilite 6.2 qt Modular Latch Boxes.

With the following dimensions, 15"L x 11.5"W x 11.75"H

These particular tubs are unique in the fact that they are exactly the same height and that 4 of the 2.7qt tubs take up the same amount of space as 2 of the 6.2qt tubs turned sideways. So I could have 4 small tubs, 2 large tubs or a combination of 1 large and 2 small tubs per level.

I am planning on using 12x36x5/8 inch laminated shelving for each level, which will fit four of the 2.7qt tubs across or two of the 6.2qt with the lids in place, with plenty of room to wiggle. For the side supports I will be using 12x48x5/8 laminated shelving.

The reason i'll be going with the laminated shelving instead of 4'x8' melamine cut to size is because i like the fact that is has clean laminated edges and is water resistant. Plus the shelving is a little lighter than Melamine.

The outside dimensions of my rack will be 48H x 37.25W to allow for the thickness of the side panels.

I'll be spacing the shelves every 4 inches, this will allow for the thickness of the shelf and the height of the tubs. By doing so I will be able to have 12 shelves that hold tubs. I plan on using belly heat provided by 3" flexwatt in the 6 watt per foot range hooked up to my Herpstat 2.

At full capacity this rack would hold 48 hatchling tubs in comparison to a 6qt sterilite rack of the same height and width only holding 36.

I have found one person who uses the same tubs with his Hognose snakes but his design doesn't include the lids.

http://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/16...1-1657-med.jpg

In the photo he is using the 2.7qt(larger tubs shown) and a 1.2qt tub from the same line to house hatchling and juvenile Hognoses.

Basically I want to know if anyone agrees with my thinking that a 3 1/4" high tub will house a ball python baby or juvie just as well as a 5" shoebox?

I will of course post pics of the construction and Finished product in a later thread.

Any opinions or thought would be greatly appreciated!!!!