DIY 9 Tub Breeder Rack (lightweight plastic shelving unit)

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Originally Posted by Trackstrong83

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.

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I'm actually about to make a 28qt rack with the same method, the tubs will be pulled from the front like a rack, but the shelf will be situated different. Look at rexrem's picture above and that's how I'll be doing the next one

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Originally Posted by SnowShredder

I'm actually about to make a 28qt rack with the same method, the tubs will be pulled from the front like a rack, but the shelf will be situated different. Look at rexrem's picture above and that's how I'll be doing the next one

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Awesome stuff. Whenever I get more females I'm building my rack like this.

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Originally Posted by SnowShredder

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

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Do you recall the total length of your flexwatt? I would like to order it pre-cut cord attached as I do not have the special tool to crimp it etc.

Thanks

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Originally Posted by Elusive Dream

Do you recall the total length of your flexwatt? I would like to order it pre-cut cord attached as I do not have the special tool to crimp it etc.

Thanks

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I ordered 12 ft but it was about 2.5 feet too much. I can find out exactly how much when I get home (I saved the extra that I had to cut off). If you get the pre cut cord you should still be able to cut off excess flexwatt, just cut BETWEEN the heating part (cut through the clear plastic part and Not any of the black part. It's fine to cut through the copper though)

If you would measure that would be greatly appreciated. I picked up everything else today, it just happened most of it is on sale at Home depot right now too!

Will have it ready for heat tape on Saturday.

I will not be putting it in a heated room, ambient temp is around 70 give or take. Should I use the 11" and will that be enough? Plan to run the hot spot at 90 in the tub. Might have to add sides if the cool side is under 75 as I would like it around 80 at least.

Thanks for all the information!

I used the 11" flexwatt on mine. I was right it was 2.5 feet too long. I kept mine a little loose too. If I was you I would order a little extra just in case

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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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Sorry, I didn't realize I was being asked questions! I really need to subscribe to this thread! I know I PM'd you already, but I'll put it on here in case anyone else noticed that picture.

I didn't have a rivet gun so I ordered the flexwatt from Reptile Basics wired in 1 foot sections. I cut the plugs off all but one then soldered them together in a chain. Next time I'm probably going to try and rivet them together myself, it will be a lot cleaner than what I had to do.

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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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My tubs pull out the front, but you could pull them out from the side too. The screws might be a pain if it's tight, also the window shims will have to be put in differently if your tubs are tight. The flexwatt will get rubbed enough to shock you if you have them tight, been there done that.

Very easy to build, thank you! Now just waiting for the flexwatt to show up.

Alright once you know what you're doing this rack literally only takes 3 hours to put together. I still need to add the flexwatt, but that takes no time at all -especially because I'm going to try weaving the new rack like you guys showed me and see how I like it!

Added the second rack today and started working on a subadult rack!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/28/3ymu9ute.jpg

Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk 2

I've been having a couple small problems with mine that I thought I would post on here since this thread is the same type of rack.

So this was my set up, a 4 tub 41 qt rack, and an 8 tub 28 qt rack, with 2 boaphiles on top.
I noticed that the boaphiles were much too heavy (about 45lbs combined), because the shelves settled and made opening the tubs very hard. So I took them off, and rescrewed each shelf.
I've noticed that even without the boaphiles, the shelves are settling again.

Any of you have this problem? I think I may have cut the posts too short because I can't screw through the post AND the shelf. I've been placing the screws underneath the shelf, only into the posts, with the shelf sitting atop the screw. I'm assuming that's my problem. I have several leftover post pieces that are longer and will see if replacing them with those will help

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/...ps13796aab.jpg