question on racks

If you don't mind having an extremely "ohmygodmybackhurts!@#$%^" heavy rack, follow this DIY thread:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=58302


You don't have to stick strictly to everything he did. I actually ended up making one extra shelf, and putting the excess wood that he has on the top, towards the bottom, so that my bottom shelf doesn't sit flush with the floor. Other than that, mine is essentially just like that. I can put 20 snakes in this. You just need to make sure that you decide which size tubs you want for each shelf, and then use that tub to make the space. I have three diff tub sizes, so I did the top shelf for my 16qts, the middle five shelves for 30qts, and the bottom for my 74qt for my boa.

Altogether it cost around $300, including t-stat and flexwatt. Got the melamine from Home Depot. We had to move this thing up our stairs and around a weird hallway to get into my bedroom, so I wasn't kidding about the extremely break your back heavy quality lol.

I understand you've only got one snake at the moment, but, the fact that you're planning to get another, means you're addicted :D And you'll eventually need room for this many. Even though I don't even use half the rack, I know I'll fill it up sometime, and I figured, as long as I'm building something for what I have, I might as well have room for what will come.

I would honestly say if you wanted something cost efficient, just go with stand-alone tubs for now, until you get enough snakes to warrant the need for a rack. While I do love the RBI racks, and refer them to anyone who asks, I can't afford them, especially for how expensive they are and yet how little they hold. DIY racks leave more money in my pockets, for more snakes :D

Here's mine after I got it all set up.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil..._001_thumb.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lateralus_Love

If you don't mind having an extremely "ohmygodmybackhurts!@#$%^" heavy rack, follow this DIY thread:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=58302


You don't have to stick strictly to everything he did. I actually ended up making one extra shelf, and putting the excess wood that he has on the top, towards the bottom, so that my bottom shelf doesn't sit flush with the floor. Other than that, mine is essentially just like that. I can put 20 snakes in this. You just need to make sure that you decide which size tubs you want for each shelf, and then use that tub to make the space. I have three diff tub sizes, so I did the top shelf for my 16qts, the middle five shelves for 30qts, and the bottom for my 74qt for my boa.

Altogether it cost around $300, including t-stat and flexwatt. Got the melamine from Home Depot. We had to move this thing up our stairs and around a weird hallway to get into my bedroom, so I wasn't kidding about the extremely break your back heavy quality lol.

I understand you've only got one snake at the moment, but, the fact that you're planning to get another, means you're addicted :D And you'll eventually need room for this many. Even though I don't even use half the rack, I know I'll fill it up sometime, and I figured, as long as I'm building something for what I have, I might as well have room for what will come.

I would honestly say if you wanted something cost efficient, just go with stand-alone tubs for now, until you get enough snakes to warrant the need for a rack. While I do love the RBI racks, and refer them to anyone who asks, I can't afford them, especially for how expensive they are and yet how little they hold. DIY racks leave more money in my pockets, for more snakes :D

Here's mine after I got it all set up.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil..._001_thumb.jpg

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What size tubs are those and how many does it hold?

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Originally Posted by shadi11

i would suggest checking out natures spirit. Casey is a good guy. i have 2 of his racks and 3 boaphiles. Casey can build anything you want if you can't find it on his site. I also have 3 melamine racks and they are extremely heavy.

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What is the website?

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Originally Posted by mdjudson

What size tubs are those and how many does it hold?

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The top shelf holds four 16qt tubs, the middle five shelves hold three 28qt tubs (the only difference between the 28qt and 32qt sterilite tubs was three inches of height), and the bottom shelf holds one 72qt tub. That's a total of four 16qt tubs, fifteen 28qt tubs, and one 72qt tub. Depending on what tubs you personally choose and find you need, the results will vary. The original person who did this (that's the link I provided in my last post) only had six shelves, with 32qt tubs (the added height).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lateralus_Love

The top shelf holds four 16qt tubs, the middle five shelves hold three 28qt tubs (the only difference between the 28qt and 32qt sterilite tubs was three inches of height), and the bottom shelf holds one 72qt tub. That's a total of four 16qt tubs, fifteen 28qt tubs, and one 72qt tub. Depending on what tubs you personally choose and find you need, the results will vary. The original person who did this (that's the link I provided in my last post) only had six shelves, with 32qt tubs (the added height).

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I really like that. The best part about it is that you can customize it to what ever space you have availible

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lateralus_Love

but, the fact that you're planning to get another, means you're addicted :D And you'll eventually need room for this many. Even though I don't even use half the rack, I know I'll fill it up sometime, and I figured, as long as I'm building something for what I have, I might as well have room for what will come.

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So true.. I only have one at the moment, but I'm working on getting 5-7 more in the next month or two:D
little buggers get ya hooked.
If I could remember where I found it I saw a DIY for a rack made out of plywood, they just stained, and water proofed all the wood.
It looked very profesional, and I know plywood does not cost too much.
An 8' X 4' sheet is from $10.00 to $25.00 (depending on thickness and quality)
The plans I have for a rack would use 3 sheets
Then thermostats (depending on what brand/ where you get them) run from around $40 and up.
Then you have the flexwatt, for what I'm going to use it is going to cost around $50, give or take a few bucks.

So for what I am building...it will hold 5-34qt tubs, and 10-15qt tubs.
The rack will cost from $120at the cheapest, to $200......and around $75-$90 for the tubs. This is with a less expensive thermostat.

I too am a Reptile Basics fan...Rich is a great guy, offers great customer service and has quality products...Just ordered another 321 from him today...Can't wait for delivery...

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Originally Posted by JamieLynn

Then thermostats (depending on what brand/ where you get them) run from around $40 and up.

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I saw a zilla t-stat for around 30. Is that any good?

www.nsreptiles.com has racks at a price that you may like. He calls them snake shacks. His prices include backheat, tubs and shipping.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mdjudson

I saw a zilla t-stat for around 30. Is that any good?

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not sure...but I'll end up finding out:)