Need help with hatchling rack material choice!!

Ok all you rack builders/buyers out there! Time to give some of that experience away. :)

I have been mulling over plans for a 30 box corn hatchling rack and have come up with the following:
two types of box(store didn't have enough of one kind) Rubbermaid 'take along' rectangle at 6.5x9.5x2.5", and a generic 25oz square at 7x7x2.5". With lids on.
5 shelves high, 5-6" space between each shelf, 6 boxes to a shelf.
Shelf dimensions of @46"x11"

Here's the issue: What material should I make this out of?? I've seen great racks made from the plastic utility shelf units found at WalMart and Lowes where the legs are cut down, but those would have set dimensions. Should I use those or should I build it myself? If I build, should I use poly'ed plywood? I want it to be light, so no melamine.

Give me your suggestions, oh rack people! :)

With a shelf that long and narrow, sagging will probably be an issue - even with a thicker piece of material. I would think about doing 10 shelves high with 23" wide shelves. Just a thought. Then you could use 1/2" plywood just fine.

I would make it taller with more shelves instead of wider so the shelves don't sag. There was a guy selling 10 tub corn hatchling racks on fauna for like $50 or something. I think he used hardwood for the sides and routered in grooves that held 1/4" pressed board. Each one held a tupperware sandwich box. I would make something like that, maybe 15 high x 2 wide, or 10 high x 3 wide. You can always order this if the hatchlings won't be in there for more than a couple of months.
http://reptilebasics.com/Interdesign...k-p-16255.html

White PVC Sheeting

Grey PVC Sheeting

ABS Sheeting

is this the stuff the rack builders are using?

Thank you for the suggestions. I guess you're right that I should make it tall rather than wide...would save space too. Sometimes I just don't think straight. :D I was just afraid that having it that tall would put a wider variance in the temps from bottom to top.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PythonWallace

You can always order this if the hatchlings won't be in there for more than a couple of months.
http://reptilebasics.com/Interdesign...k-p-16255.html

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I wish I could order that...but it's $260! I have to keep this under/around $50, that's why I was asking about the plastic utility shelving. I could get two sets of 5-shelf units for about $60 and cut the legs down to size. My concerns with that are a) there's no back and b) was worried about installing a chain of flexwatt onto plastic shelves...tho I guess if t-stat controlled UTHs don't melt tubs, then controlled flexwatt shouldn't melt those shelves.

Hmm...any other comments/suggestions?? I'll need to get this going before too long while I still have the money (and a BF who still thinks breeding will be somewhat profitable. :))

$50 is a pretty tight budget for a 30 tub rack. You can get 1 2x4 sheet of 1/4" PVC sheet for $50, but that doesn't help. I would guess that 30 small tubs would run you about $20-$40.

They were $24, and that was a separate budget. Should have said...:D I have the tubs already, at the dimensions listed in the opening post.

The $50 I have now is for the rack itself. Then I'll be figuring out how much flexwatt I need and taking that $ out of another source. I already have a t-stat for it.

Most likely, I will be going with the plastic utility shelving since it's light, easily assembled, and cheap. Now, I mostly wish to hear if anyone has had any problems with those shelves, such as with putting heat tape on them. :) Maybe someday I'll be able to afford a good, professional rack.

Thanks all for your help!

I don't have experience with them, but I don't think heat tape would be an issue using it. Keep in mind that for corns the tape will only get up to 85 degrees. That's no different than putting shelves outside on a summer day - they don't melt or anything. So long as your tape is regulated, shouldn't be a problem

i built my rack for 3 bucks but w/ out tubs, w/ out flexwatt and thermostat

cheapest thing is melamine, 30 bucks for a 3/8" 8 foot by 4 foot piece