question about Sideways racks

[thefnshow66]

i want to get a rack from pvccages but i'd like to get some input first from you guys. If i end up getting a sideways rack, what would be best for heating, back heat or belly heat? My room stays around 65-75 degrees so i wouldn't know what would work best for providing heat for my snakes. Also, i don't plan on breeding in anyway and i just want to get males. I've read several times on this site that you can keep a male in a 32 qt size tub for the rest of his life. Would i still need to provide 2 hides for them in a sideways rack or would one be fine? Would 2 hides even be able to fit in a 32 qt with a full grown male ball?

[Somed00d]

back heat is so-so in a heated room.. in a room that cool your best bet is with belly heat.

[Rapture]

If I were in your situation I'd go for a deep rack instead of a sideways one. It would be pretty crowded if you put two hides in a 32qt tub along with a water bowl and an adult ball python. Most of my ball pythons that live in deep racks do fine with no hides at all. The back end of the tub stays very dark in the deep rack so they just go back there to hide when they want.

[Spaniard]

I have 32qt sideways racks and I have had issues with my cool side temps in the winter. 68ish ambient temps in the room. I needed to insulate the exposed area of the tub in order to correct this issue, been fine since then.

Edit: I have belly heat for mine.

[JeffFlanagan]

With sideways bins, belly heat for sure. That way the heat gradient can still be along the length of the tub rather than the narrower width.

[waltah!]

I'd say belly heat with those room temps. I have back heat in my racks and it works really well, buy my room temp stays between 78-82. Deep racks are kind of like one big hide since the back half is pretty dark.

[mooingtricycle]

I hate belly heat!!

I have two six slot 32qt sideways, and one 5 slot. and then a four slot. all of them, except for the four slot have two rows of 11" flex on the backs. The four slot has one row, that i will be upgrading to two for the cooler months of winter. Works great

[waltah!]

When I got my racks I was researching and everyone recommended belly heat. I went with back heat cause of my room temps and i'm really happy I did. My temps are great.

[Spaniard]

I hate belly heat!!

I have two six slot 32qt sideways, and one 5 slot. and then a four slot. all of them, except for the four slot have two rows of 11" flex on the backs. The four slot has one row, that i will be upgrading to two for the cooler months of winter. Works great

Any particular reason why you hate belly heat? Just curious...

[Rapture]

Ditto the question above... I love belly heat.