DIY 9 Tub Breeder Rack (lightweight plastic shelving unit)

oops. Another question. How's the ventilation in the tubs?

By connectors for the flexWat do you mean these? sorry, I'm still learning. :(

http://www.reptilebasics.com/thgheat-clipset

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Originally Posted by collrak

Thanks for sharing the info. Your DIY rack only costs ~$33 per 41qt slot. That's super cheap!

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Yeah, $100 a shelf is a little out of my price range right now. You can't beat the end price of this rack set up! And it's lightweight and water/heat safe. Wood racks make me nervous.

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Originally Posted by zeion97

Thank you very much. :) this will give me and dad something to do. Lol. He's beginning to get involved in the care of them and has been wanting to build my burm (around 10 ft) a newer bigger cage. A rack will just have to do.. Lol. And thank you for the links with the actual items themselves. :)

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They do make longer ones, but I don't know where you would get bigger tubs! It's really fun, and pretty darn easy.

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Originally Posted by mandalorian

great rack. i only need some larger tubs for my adults. Can this be done using only 1 shelving system? Will this affect the stability? thanks..

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You can definitely use one shelving unit, and you could always add the second unit down the road. They are really sturdy, you could use as many or as few shelves as you wanted.

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Originally Posted by mandalorian

oops. Another question. How's the ventilation in the tubs?

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I have a very small crack around the entire front half of the tub, but I'm going to drill some more air holes.

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Originally Posted by zeion97

By connectors for the flexWat do you mean these? sorry, I'm still learning. :(

http://www.reptilebasics.com/thgheat-clipset

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Yep, those exactly. I had Rich wire them all for me, so I couldn't tell you how easy it is to rivet them on your own. I use to solder them myself, but from what I've heard the new rivet style is much easier/nicer.

The best thing with this rack is that you can also use the 28 qt sterilite tubs too. 2 tubs per level, that's 18 tubs or even 20 if you use the top most level with covered tubs.

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/...ps457563ac.jpg

This rack also has a smaller version at home depot where you make into a hatchling rack. I used 4 6 qt tubs with cover per level. I just used the tub covers so I don't have to put the board under the shelves. This is my temporary hatchling set-up. A friend of mine used 4 v-18 tubs per level and it fit perfectly. That's my next project.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-5-She...8#.UVDRrRxJOAg

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/...ps72710e22.jpg

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Originally Posted by rexrem

The best thing with this rack is that you can also use the 28 qt sterilite tubs too. 2 tubs per level, that's 18 tubs or even 20 if you use the top most level with covered tubs.

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/...ps457563ac.jpg

This rack also has a smaller version at home depot where you make into a hatchling rack. I used 4 6 qt tubs with cover per level. I just used the tub covers so I don't have to put the board under the shelves. This is my temporary hatchling set-up. A friend of mine used 4 v-18 tubs per level and it fit perfectly. That's my next project.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-5-She...8#.UVDRrRxJOAg

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/...ps72710e22.jpg

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That's awesome! Thanks for sharing! I'm going to have to check into what it would cost to make a hatchling rack!

How are you controlling the temp for the flex watt? I am looking to make the same rack and if I saw correct all of your tubs are on their own plug. I have a herpstat 2 that I would be using if hyou could steer me in the right direction.

I will be making it with only one shelf system. (4 41qt tubs)

I like the idea as I can always expand it!

Thanks.

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Originally Posted by Elusive Dream

How are you controlling the temp for the flex watt? I am looking to make the same rack and if I saw correct all of your tubs are on their own plug. I have a herpstat 2 that I would be using if hyou could steer me in the right direction.

I will be making it with only one shelf system. (4 41qt tubs)

I like the idea as I can always expand it!

Thanks.

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Not sure if this helps, but I used one long piece of flexwatt and weaved it throughout the shelves. This picture was before it was secured down. Temps stay perfect, very consistent from shelf to shelf. I have an ambient room temp of 78 and one side of the 41qt is always 80.5 and the hotspot is 90.5. Doesn't ever vary

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3e79478e.jpg

I have to build this!! I'm looking to make a 10-12 high rack for all the females I plan to add. Question though, do the tubs slide out from the front or side? As in do you grab the wide part of the tub and pull it out that way or grab the front like in a normal rack?

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Originally Posted by Trackstrong83

I have to build this!! I'm looking to make a 10-12 high rack for all the females I plan to add. Question though, do the tubs slide out from the front or side? As in do you grab the wide part of the tub and pull it out that way or grab the front like in a normal rack?

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I grab from the front like a normal rack (the opposite end of the flexwatt, I pull from where those black slats are)

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Originally Posted by SnowShredder

I grab from the front like a normal rack (the opposite end of the flexwatt, I pull from where those black slats are)

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Okay cool, that's what I like. That way I can use 28qts and 41qts. I know it's not "normal" but I've successfully raised hatchlings in 28qt tubs. I just wouldn't put the 28qt all the way on all of the heat tape.