Flexwatt

[Jay_Bunny]

Well I've decided to build my own rack. (more like getting a friend to help/do it for me )

It will hold five 32qt tubs with an extra shelf on the bottom for holding things like feeding tongs, extra substrate, ect. It will have locking pins of some kind and be heated by flexwatt.

I was wondering how the flexwatt works. Do you stick it to the actual tub or the shelf? If to the shelf, should there be a little recessed area to stick it to, so there is air between it and the bottom of the tub? How is this recessed area acheived?

How much flexwatt should I order for five 32qt tubs? What width? Can it all run on one thermostat? Can the flexwatt be assembled for me pre-shipping, or do I have to do it at home? If it has to do it at home, how do you do it?

When putting thermometers in the tubs, should there be one only on the warm side (thermometer up near front of tub, probe on warm side?) or should there be one on each side?

[Jay_Bunny]

And just a few tid-bits:

I was considering the Helix DBS1000 Proportional Thermostat. ($134.99)

This rack will be for Kingsnakes and Cornsnakes.

I was considering getting Taylor Digital Thermometers for each tub ($19.99 each)

[lord jackel]

I was wondering how the flexwatt works. Do you stick it to the actual tub or the shelf? If to the shelf, should there be a little recessed area to stick it to, so there is air between it and the bottom of the tub? How is this recessed area acheived?

Tape it to the shelf, a recessed area is much better as then the tub won't rub on the flex and risk damaging it. You can create the recess by using a router...it is time consuming but will last much longer.

How much flexwatt should I order for five 32qt tubs? What width? Can it all run on one thermostat? Can the flexwatt be assembled for me pre-shipping, or do I have to do it at home? If it has to do it at home, how do you do it?

Each tub is about 15" wide so times 5 = 75". You can assemble it at home or if you call Rich at Reptile Basics he will assemble it for you. Just explain what you are going to do with it and he will hook you up in the best way.

When putting thermometers in the tubs, should there be one only on the warm side (thermometer up near front of tub, probe on warm side?) or should there be one on each side?

Most thermometer have 2 temp probes one at the unit and one at the end of the wire. Place the thermometer on the cool side and run the wired probe to the warm side.

[lord jackel]

And just a few tid-bits:

I was considering the Helix DBS1000 Proportional Thermostat. ($134.99)

This rack will be for Kingsnakes and Cornsnakes.

I was considering getting Taylor Digital Thermometers for each tub ($19.99 each)

Great Thermostat don't change (ps you can get it from Rich at Reptile Basics when you order your flexwatt )

If all the tubs are in the same rack there really isn't a need to have thermometer in every tub - maybe just the top and bottom. Also, most of us use Accurite Thermometers ($15 at Wal-mart) - these also will tell you the humidity which is also important.

[Jay_Bunny]

Since this is a corn rack, the tubs will be 32qt. I believe thier dimensions are (34 3/4" x 16 1/2" x 6") . So thats 34 3/4" long, 16 1/2" wide, and 6" tall, right? Ok, this rack will house five tubs with an extra shelf on the bottom. So wood supply list (and please someone suggest a type of wood that is water resistant, won't bend under weight, won't sag, and is fairly inexpensive.)

Back Piece
Side Pieces
Top piece
5 Shelves
Sliding Bars (so tubs can slide in and out. And it will keep top tight to shelf above)
Locking Pins

Can anyone give me the dimensions of the wood I'll need?

[lord jackel]

Since this is a corn rack, the tubs will be 32qt. I believe thier dimensions are (34 3/4" x 16 1/2" x 6") . So thats 34 3/4" long, 16 1/2" wide, and 6" tall, right?

I suggest you buy the tubs first as you need an exact dimension (not guesses) or else you risk the tubs not fitting right.

Back Piece
Side Pieces
Top piece
5 Shelves
Sliding Bars (so tubs can slide in and out. And it will keep top tight to shelf above)
Locking Pins

Looks right except for the sliding bars...as you won't need them. The tubs will sit on the shelf below...so their is nothing they need to slide in/out on. I am not sure Corns could push the tubs out so you pry don't need locking pins either (but they are simple to do and cheap so it doesn't matter either way)

As for dimensions you have to get the tubs and measure them. For wood I would recommend Melamine - it is basically wood chips glued together and then a plastic laminate over it. (Used for shelving). They are very solid (and heavy), won't sag, and the plastic is water resistant.

Let us know what other questions you have.

[Jay_Bunny]

I need the locking pins because I have cats. They are masters at opening drawers now, so the locking pins are a must. I'll go to Walmart today or tomorrow and purchase a 32qt tub and get its dimensions.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[PythonWallace]

I have made racks that utilized locking pins. What I did, since melamine is .75" thick was drill holes (1/8" or 3/16", whatever the OD of the pins) about 1/2" into the bottom front of the shelves. I used two pins per bin with 1.5" steel pins. When the bin is in the shelf, the pins are pushed into the holes so the bin can't be pulled out without first pulling the pins out. You can also use sections of wood dowels as pins.

[PythonWallace]

Sinse you only have a few snakes, a display cage like this might look nicer and cost less/be easier to make. This cost less than $150 with the lights, and depending on your ambient temps there, you may not need flexwatt or a thermostat. I kept the room at 74-75 and the fluorescent lights kept the temps perfect for my corns. (about 85 during the day warm side/75 at night).


Here is my BP rack. It cost less than the one above, but then I needed to add a thermostat.

[bonez]

wallace, do you know off hand the size of those tubs for your large balls...lol, like length and hight?