RBI Rack Heat Tape Questions

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Originally Posted by JoshSloane

In my last email with RBI they said that they couldn't customize because they would have to change the computer aided drawing specs for the rack. Feels like I'm getting the run-around. Definitely not what I expected from my first experience with this highly touted company. I was going to order from Beeger Boxes but there is a giant mess going on with them currently. Where to go now?

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You can't always get what you want :rolleyes:

It's a lot more complicated to custom make a rack based on it's heat than you think (unless it is back or belly). PVC rack often have recessed heat and going from a 4 inches wide recessed to a 6 or 12 inches wide recessed for one customer it just not like gonna happen with any PVC rack manufacturer that uses recessed heat, so you can always build your own or adjust your ambient temp.

You are not getting the run-around. If I understand correctly, they never told you that they would build a custom rack for you.

No matter what, I don't think it's going to matter. With room temp of 65-68 like you say, you're probably going to have temp issues if you're only running tape.

What is confounding to me is that they aren't building the racks to their OWN heat tape size recommendations. Their site clearly states that a 41 qt tub requires 12" tape, and that 30% of the floor of the tub should be covered by heat tape. With 4" heat tape, and a 41 qt tub, the tape covers barely 10% of the floor space. Why give recommendations to fall absurdly short of this in their own design? I can't up ambient temps, as I don't wish to live myself in an apartment that is routinely in the high seventies. I would dare to say that the majority of people purchasing pre fabbed racks aren't pro breeders with dedicated rooms to keep snakes, but are more likely to be hobbyists like me.

Router width can be easily changed, literally on the fly. I would settle for non-recessed heat tape. This is so frustrating.

I don't believe the CB70 is a 41qt.

I think you're wrong, I would dare to say that a majority of people using any type of rack system are indeed keeping them in rooms that are over 75 degrees. I also believe the majority of CB70 racks are going to come with 3 or 4" tape, and they work beautifully. Racks are not designed to be used in a room as cold as the one you're talking about.

If you are truly that much against changing the ambient temp, I would suggest looking into a different type of caging if you've only got the three snakes. That or fabricating something yourself that makes you happy.

As for their product not matching their recommendations, I have no explanation.

Both Boaphile and Beeger boxes make a point that they use larger heat tape than most companies. Seems ludacris to miss out on a sale of multiple racks because you won't widen your router width and install larger heat tape that you have in stock, even for an up-charge. I would hand them extra money for this, gladly.

Maybe you'll come to an agreement, but I think the obvious answer is to purchase from somebody else. Good Luck

I wanted to order from RBI because all I have ever heard is that the make great quality products and have wonderfully flexible customer service.

I think their racks are all pre-built (hence the fast turn around times). I would try Chris at C-serpents. He did a heat split for me on a rack before... I have never asked about wider heat tape, but you could at least ask and see. Otherwise, try beeger boxes (although I've heard he has shipping timeline issues).

I have only bought racks from Chris (I have 2). Mine are both 4" tape, but I have a bedroom I heat to about 77f, so ambient temps aren't an issue.

You might want to do a search for (or start) a thread about using racks in an unheated room and see if you get advice. I believe racks are intended to be used in a heated room, but I know that there have been several people to use them in unheated spaces (but they have to make modifications).

The tape is likely to provide the correct hot spot but UTH (gradient heat sources) don't heat the air. You will need to heat the ambient air temp somehow. I would suggest the simplest is just heat the room or not buy a rack and buy a bank of enclosures where a secondary heat source maybe added and the enclosure can be insulated differently. racks are thermally speaking not very efficient. They should IMO be though of as part of a system that includes the space they are placed into.

Like I said earlier I do not have a dedicated snake room, and cant heat my apartment to the high 70's. Ive had enclosed racks before in room temp areas, and with large enough heat tape it seems to do the trick just fine. Just trying to find someone that can build me a rack with the appropriate sized heat tape and ship it this side of the new year.