building my new rack soon

so after being broke with all the new babies, I bought, its time to plan their future. im going to build a rack or really a rack shelf cause i will be using ultratherms instead of flexwatt. it going to hold 4- 42qt. tubs and to keep wiring down, im going to use somthing called an octopus surge protecter, has like 5 mini cords coneceted to the outlet, then im using this to plug into the ranco or johnson. so my question is

I see people sitting there tubs on cds, during the pre-build, is this to determine gap?

also what is a good gap

and how would i create a "stopper" like the Reptile Basic rack, that comes with a little white thing, to stop snakes from pushing out tube.

last but not least, is Ranco better than Johnson, or are they the same, i have a ranco with my other rack, and its fine but just wondering

also is melamine(sp) the best, i was planning on using this with a mix of plywood

I use these as stoppers on my melamine racks........
http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/w...1/Misc/031.jpg
http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/w...1/Misc/032.jpg
They are plastic clips that come with three spikes on them. I believe they are originally used to hang pictures. You get 5 in a box at walmart for like 1.86. I just drilled a hole in the center and ran a screw in it into the melamine.

As for a gap I do mine like this..............
YouTube - Vid 1

cool thank U bunches, thats a good ideal

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BOWSER11788

cool thank U bunches, thats a good ideal

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Not a problem! Good Luck!!:gj:

Bump!!!!

i just finished another rack last nite and i used two cds stacked in each corner of the tub for a gap its just enough for there to be room for the tub to slide in and out easy but nowhere near enough for even a hatchling to get out. i am using a ranco on this rack as i already have the same exact rack with a ranco working but if i had the money id be switching them to a herpstat pro as i just like them better. and as for a tub stopper i use pretty much the same thing as blong uses expect the ones i use are marketed to hold in screens but they are still like 10 for $2.00 at walmart or lowes.

cool thanks, im started to get excited

I used some bar coasters to gauge my gap, worked good! I used these clips to hold in screens and so far work great! Probably the same thing that 771subliminal used. I picked these up at Lowe's for $2.59.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s...m/100_1892.jpg