100% back heated stack

I figure Id post this since this isn't a typical setup.

I've toyed around with a lot of different rack designs and placement of heat. I think I finally found what I like the best. The difference between back heat and belly heat never matter to me when I was using newspaper. When I switched to cypress, I found I had to turn the heat up to get 90 degrees on the cypress, but under it was 100+. Back heated I can easily get a 90 degree hotspot without having to turn up the heat tape too much. So I've discovered this, I've been slowly switching to back heated racks.

Another thing that didn't work out for me was single stack racks that are 6+ feet tall, even with a fan going in the room, I would have atleast a 5-6 degree difference between top and bottom of the room, which by no means is the end of the world, but hotter or colder days in the house might lead to unwanted temps.... so my solution was to spread out tubs on the same thermostat along the wall. I now have 4 rows of 41qt, 3 rows of 28qt, 3 rows of 6qt, and a 2 row (soon to be replaced by a 4 row) of 6qt. Now the thermostats control tubs that are closer to the same elevation in the room, making my temps way easier to control. Used the empty back part of the 28qt to mount the thermostats.

As for the design, I build mine a little different, from what I typically see. all my sides, back, and support pieces are cut to the height I need for the tubs, so its just a piece the size of the rack, put the sides,back, and supports on. wire heat tape, set the next row on top. Everything just stacks on top of the other.

I build it enclosed and it works out quite well, I only have a couple snakes that require a hide, the rest don't need it. With a water bowl sitting up front, it appears to be enough for majority of them to feel secure and eat like I want them to.

6qt and 28qt have heat tape running along the back, the 41qt run along the back and a foot along the side of the tub. I just felt like the bigger snakes could use a bigger hot spot.

So that's where I'm at now and so far It's working out great.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...9206760438.jpg

Awesome. I'm so impressed with a lot if the home made rack systems I've been seeing. I very much want to try making one but I'm somewhat intimidated by the idea. Some day I'll have to man (woman?) up and do it.

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Originally Posted by Coleslaw007

Awesome. I'm so impressed with a lot if the home made rack systems I've been seeing. I very much want to try making one but I'm somewhat intimidated by the idea. Some day I'll have to man (woman?) up and do it.

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

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just a bookshelf for tiny books and some heat, nothing you need to be intimidated by :)

Very Cool.

I use back heat racks and am very happy with them. Took a little bit of tinkering with them, but they work great.

Just have to keep the ambient air temp in the room stable and you are good to go.

Very cool! And thanks for the info you put into that post, that makes a lot of sense and gave me some points to ponder when I order or build my next rack.

Very nice rack! :O I had been planning on building another this weekend similiar to the AP economy rack. I had already planned on casters but when I went to Wal Mart yesterday I couldn't find any tubs I liked. Now instead I may get IRIS tubs online and wait until next weekend to build. Since I am using casters I may go more of an enclosed build again. I really like the idea of splitting zone temperatures so may have to look into that also.

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Originally Posted by BPLuvr

Very nice rack! :O I had been planning on building another this weekend similiar to the AP economy rack. I had already planned on casters but when I went to Wal Mart yesterday I couldn't find any tubs I liked. Now instead I may get IRIS tubs online and wait until next weekend to build. Since I am using casters I may go more of an enclosed build again. I really like the idea of splitting zone temperatures so may have to look into that also.

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I use sterlite clears (ones with the normal pop on lid) I normally get them from target. home depot and meijers has them also, but doesn't seem to carry as many as target for some reason. I think a store by me called bed bath and beyond carries the iris tubs, not sure where else might. So if there one by you, check it out.

Made out of melamine or something else...?

That looks proooo-fesional. I wish i lived near detroit so you could build me one. :(

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Made out of melamine or something else...?

That looks proooo-fesional. I wish i lived near detroit so you could build me one. :(

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yup melamine and thanks

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Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

I think a store by me called bed bath and beyond carries the iris tubs, not sure where else might.

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the beyond section...that's where they keep the coffee mugs...:D