Some Rack Questions

Ok, so soon I'm going to be building a rack for snakes. I know HOW to do it, so don't send me stepbystep instructions on building them because I have those already.
What I'm wondering, is certain specifications.
I've seen some racks with little pins that keep them from sliding out and some without. Are these absolutely necessary?
Also, I was hoping for this rack to be a bp and a corn snake rack, this could be a problem with temps, so does anyone have any ideas to keep the temps down for specific bins? Drilling extra holes maybe?
Would there be a thermostat that exists with more than one temperature setting per plug?

One last thing..
You guys seem to have a lot of luck with Melamine white boards correct? I don't really understand how this works.. do you just buy white boards or do you have to buy the Melamine separately and put it on the boards?
Where do you guys get it? Thanks.

The melamine is particle board(MDF) with the white covering ,and it comes that way. I don't use the pins in front of the tubs. It really depends on how many ball pythons you have, but I just heated the ball python tubs, and not the corn tubs( it is warm enough). It all depends on how many snakes you have of each species. I am down to one corn now, and my ball too, with more balls on the way, so I wont need to separate heat anymore as the corn will be in my moms class room. I am also buying all commercial racks in a few months so I can get rid of my wooden one!:D

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Originally Posted by stangs13

The melamine is particle board(MDF) with the white covering ,and it comes that way. I don't use the pins in front of the tubs. It really depends on how many ball pythons you have, but I just heated the ball python tubs, and not the corn tubs( it is warm enough). It all depends on how many snakes you have of each species. I am down to one corn now, and my ball too, with more balls on the way, so I wont need to separate heat anymore as the corn will be in my moms class room. I am also buying all commercial racks in a few months so I can get rid of my wooden one!:D

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I see. The room is warm enough for the corn to be alright? What is your ambient room temperature? 85ish?

anyone else?

Well, I just finished building my own rack and did quite a lot of research before hand.

The pins are to stop the snake from pushing the tub out...and they WILL learn how to do this if you let them. I used flat metal connector pieces that rotate down over the lip of the tub on mine.

The way I keep temps UP in my tubs is by insulating the sides and back and putting more holes in the lid on stand alone tubs, so I'm not sure there. You'll just have to experiment.

The Thermostat that controls two different elements is the Herpstat II. And the Herpstat Pro controls up to 4 different elements. All on their own temps. One of those dream acquisitions for the future. :)

Melamine is purchased at most home imp. stores in the shelving dept. and already has the white on it. If you buy it as actual presized shelves all the edges except perhaps the back are finished with melamine edging. However, you can buy it in sheet lengths in the lumber dept. and have it cut, but then you'd be edging three edges yourself. It is incredibly heavy, tho...so either make small racks with it or be sure to put wheels on so it can be moved.

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Originally Posted by Argentra

Well, I just finished building my own rack and did quite a lot of research before hand.

The pins are to stop the snake from pushing the tub out...and they WILL learn how to do this if you let them. I used flat metal connector pieces that rotate down over the lip of the tub on mine.

The way I keep temps UP in my tubs is by insulating the sides and back and putting more holes in the lid on stand alone tubs, so I'm not sure there. You'll just have to experiment.

The Thermostat that controls two different elements is the Herpstat II. And the Herpstat Pro controls up to 4 different elements. All on their own temps. One of those dream acquisitions for the future. :)

Melamine is purchased at most home imp. stores in the shelving dept. and already has the white on it. If you buy it as actual presized shelves all the edges except perhaps the back are finished with melamine edging. However, you can buy it in sheet lengths in the lumber dept. and have it cut, but then you'd be edging three edges yourself. It is incredibly heavy, tho...so either make small racks with it or be sure to put wheels on so it can be moved.

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Thanks for the info, it's not going to be a huge rack or anything like that. :]

You're welcome. :)

Mine isn't really big either, just a three-tub, but it's still 4' tall. :) Total heights and lengths can get up there.

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Originally Posted by Argentra

You're welcome. :)

Mine isn't really big either, just a three-tub, but it's still 4' tall. :) Total heights and lengths can get up there.

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I still don't know what I want to do with it.. I want it to be a multiple size rack.. but honestly I have 7ft ceilings and in my closet they slant making things difficult. Ugh.
We'll see what I want to do. I deff want 16q and probably 32q.. I could build a baby rack later I suppose, hopefully I'll be able to fit one or two 46q.

My temps in my room varie from 72-85, but it is normally around 78. Perfect for corns to thrive. :D

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Originally Posted by stangs13

My temps in my room varie from 72-85, but it is normally around 78. Perfect for corns to thrive. :D

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Since I live in IL, and I know corns are native to this area..
I feel like they're pretty happy with the temperatures in the room. Only problem is that my room where the tanks are (my bedroom area) gets as low as 65 at night, and so I keep a UTH running at all times and it usually averages at 85 ambient/ warm side. :]