Possible DIY Rack Materials?

I was wondering if anyone's got any advice on using this rack: (http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-5-She...8#.UXRRe7Xvvm4) To make a 5 shelf rack using Rubbermaid 41 qt tubs (http://www.peachsuite.com/655-3q29/r...tainer-3q29-00) going off of this plan: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...r-s-Snake-Rack

Or two of these: http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-4-She...5#.UXRVYrXvvm4 or http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-4-She...3#.UXRVg7Xvvm5 for 28 quart tubs. On that second one you'd have about 2" hanging over the front, though.

I was also thinking, looking towards the future, that using these racks as a base I might have problems keeping the heat. It seems to me that sheathing the sides and back in this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/CelloFoam...x#.UXRU-7Xvvm4 (Painted, of course!) could fix that pretty easily.

And then there's this one: http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-5-She...8#.UXRYMbXvvm4 You could use this one and set up a couple of shelves with two Sterlite 28qt or Iris 32qt per shelf on top along with a couple of Rubbermaid or Iris 41/37qts on the bottom for the big girls. A bit more expensive in the short term, but might be more useful for a more varied stable in the long run.

(Sorry for the rapid fire posts. When I get on to something my brain starts going a mile a minute.

And then there's these: http://www.amazon.com/Petmate-Jumbo-...tty+Litter+Pan http://www.amazon.com/Ace-40-7002-Ut...rds=Mixing+Tub

Might be a much cheaper option for the tubs. Definitely have to make sure the shelf clearance is perfect, and line the bottom of the shelf with something, but you'd end up saving quite a bit in tubs. I haven't checked to see if Ace actually carries them in the store, or if the same thing is available cheaper anywhere else. Home Depot's mixing tubs appear to be about 1/2" too big (usually not a concern, but with the open top I'd be worried that they'd be able to work their way out.) and Lowe's doesn't list any on their site so I'd have to actually go into the store with a measuring tape to see.

Or these instead of the cat pans: http://www.harborfreight.com/7-gallo...tub-46936.html

And I found what looks to be a better option for the base shelf... http://www.lowes.com/pd_339949-742-1...ing&facetInfo=

(Anyone's free to tell me to shut up at any time BTW)

Can't follow you. Gotta give ppl time bro. Those plastic five shelf things you have in I think the first post. People use them you gotta cut down the posts. Look around the DIY page there are a few real good threads showing you how to make racks out of those

Read da stickies - they are there for a reason. :P

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...r-s-Snake-Rack

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Originally Posted by carlson

Can't follow you. Gotta give ppl time bro. Those plastic five shelf things you have in I think the first post. People use them you gotta cut down the posts. Look around the DIY page there are a few real good threads showing you how to make racks out of those

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by dr del

Read da stickies - they are there for a reason. :P

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...r-s-Snake-Rack

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I read the stickies. :-P (Kidding!) I just wanted to share my research as I did it, and also see if anyone had any experience with these particular models. It definitely seems to be a lighter and more cost effective alternative to Melamine, with the downside of insulation which I think I can solve with the insulating board.

I'm seeing a lot of posts about using the mixing tubs for rats, but not a lot for snakes. I hunted but couldn't find any specific reasons why. I'm guessing it's because of the lack of lid. I guess it might be possible for an adult female to push the entire tub off of a shelf if there's not a lid, but it seems kind of far fetched.