First time snake rack -- Help!

Hi guys,

I recently got my first ball python in a few years. He's a purple passion spider that eats like a champ and retains weight very well so I would like to breed him with an adult female that I plan on purchasing.

However, while this is not my first time owning and caring for BPs, this will be my first time breeding. I plan on continuing it as a hobby and glass tanks won't cut it for that, so I would like to get a snake rack set-up put together. I have tried to do my research but have not found much out there on this specifically.

Any first time racks that would be good to purchase out there + tips on essentials for a good set-up? I've seen heating tape and other things mentioned but again don't go into much detail. I would appreciate any suggestions/advice out there. Thanks!

There are lots of good companies that make racks, animal plastic is the company I used and would recommend. Boaphille, C serpents, freedom breeder are a few others.

Heat tape is used at the back of the rack to provide a hot spot for your snakes. Be aware that the heat tape will provide a warm spot for the snake not necessarily provided it with an adaquate temperature gradient, this means you might have to heat or cool the room the reptiles are in.

Good luck, do lots of research !

Reptile basics makes a ve-2 and ve-6 (larger version) that come pre assembled with heat tape and a place notched out for your thermostat probe. They also accomidate 3 different size tubs which is very nice.
They are a little pricey however after you purchase and use one you would know everything you need to know in regards to how to build one of your own in the future.