A "Just Curious" question about incubation

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Hey, does a Helix come with Freedom Breeders? How does their heat work? I want to start ordering by the level and I am not sure what to get. Would I get the first level with casters and heat to start out?

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The "complete" racks come with Rancos (they're cheap) ... but I always have them keep them and they credit me the cost ... I usually have some extras (heat panels, power strip, hides, etc) when I buy my racks so it goes towards those.

The FB heat panels are basically an aluminum (I think) channel with 3" heat tape attached underneath. It attaches under the tubs with velcro in the rear. If you have a single level you'll need at least a base frame to support the heat panel.

For a level or two, I wouldn't get casters and have it sit on the floor. I'd build some type of base or put it up on a table higher up where room temps are warmer.

If you do have to have it on the floor, I always order an extra 3" heat panel for my bottom levels to compensate for differences between floor temps and temps higher up in the room. I also add a sheet of 1/2" rigid foam board under the base frame.

Call and talk to Jesse (sale guy) at Freedom Breeder ... He is AWESOME! ... Probably the best customer service in the entire herp industry ... even if you just have questions, he knows it all and can hook you up! ;)

-adam

Now how did I know that you would have the answers!? Thanks man..I will call him next week. They are so reasonable for the level that I cant figure why people buy any other rack! I'm kickin my own *** for buying these APs that I just dislike immensely

You know Adam I just assumed that Helix was the way to go since all you bigger breeders use them but they must be awfully expensive. Imagine my surprise to find them so reasonably priced! Hmmm what is it they say about "assume" LOL.

It'll be Helix all the way for us!

~~Jo~~

Have you checked out the new Vision racks? At first I thought they looked a little flimsy, but they seem to have some nice design attributes. Plus, a lot of people have been giving them great reviews including Greg Graziani. I'm not sure if he's getting a kickback from them :P , but the rack might be somethiing to consider.

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Originally Posted by xdeus

Have you checked out the new Vision racks? At first I thought they looked a little flimsy, but they seem to have some nice design attributes. Plus, a lot of people have been giving them great reviews including Greg Graziani. I'm not sure if he's getting a kickback from them :P , but the rack might be somethiing to consider.

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Saw them in Daytona ... I wasn't really impressed.

I wasn't a big fan of the heating ... I don't like heat rope and would rather use 3" flex watt than the larger flexwatt "pads" they are selling.

The single tower design wastes some space when you start using multiple unites. I can fit 30 Freedom Breeder boxes in less space than 30 Vision boxes and to me that is very important.

The Vision racks are very light ... they feel like they can tip over if your not careful ... I personally like being able to climb on my Freedom Breeder racks ... makes peeking into the top boxes and cleaning the top of the rack very convenient.

I hate the plastic top ... I switched from melamine racks to Freedom Breeder because I LOVE the open air design. I think over the years keeping these animals the number one thing that I learned is the importance of good air flow in relation to feeding and breeding behavior. For me, the more fresh air I can move in and out of a snakes enclosure, the better.

I read Gregs review and the biggest benefit that I got was that the Vision racks can use different tubs. I just don't see how this is a problem. I have enough extra boxes for my Freedom Breeders that I'm really not worried about by tubs not being available ... and at some point, upgrading equipment is just an expense of doing business.

I don't have anything against Vision racks, I know some people using them and they are doing well with them ... I just like what I like and truly believe that if you’re going to keep snakes in numbers and you want the absolute best ... Freedom Breeder is where it's at. ;)

-adam

Thanks for the review, Adam. I like the idea of the heat rope as far as being able to adjust the heat to each individual shelf, but I'm still not too keen on the heat rope itself. Have you had a chance to check out the ARS Caging that have been advertising on KS? It seems like they're very similar to Freedom, but with a couple other design tweaks like the built in water bowl option and they're quite a bit cheaper.

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Originally Posted by xdeus

Thanks for the review, Adam. I like the idea of the heat rope as far as being able to adjust the heat to each individual shelf, but I'm still not too keen on the heat rope itself. Have you had a chance to check out the ARS Caging that have been advertising on KS? It seems like they're very similar to Freedom, but with a couple other design tweaks like the built in water bowl option and they're quite a bit cheaper.

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The ARS caging still isn't "open air" ... it's still just a slightly perforated top.

Also, I can say from experience, the built in water bowl thing $UCKS! ... When snake doo doo gets caked into the crevice around the base it takes FOREVER to clean out ... and when I paying people to clean my cages, I need them to get it done faster rather than longer.

I actually tested gluing PVC couplers into CB70 boxes at one point and it's much faster to clean a tub and water bowl separately than when it's all one piece.

As far as the cost ... There are only so many deductions that you can take year over year ... so I can send the money to the government or I can send it to Freedom Breeder ... I think the value behind what you get with Freedom Breeder racks definitely justifies the cost.

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Also, I can say from experience, the built in water bowl thing $UCKS! ... When snake doo doo gets caked into the crevice around the base it takes As

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I was wondering about that. Maybe they can teflon coat the whole thing? :) Besides, think of the hours of entertainment that would be had by watching your Balls try to move around on a teflon surface. :bounce:

Still, I like the idea of competition. I think if they open up the shelves some more, they would give FB a run for their money. I don't have anything against Freedom, but with competition comes innovation.

I just looked at the ARS and they are definitely interesting looking. They actually sell them without the cupholder as well (looks like a standard cb70 tub).