Best complete rack system

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Originally Posted by Aedryan Methyus

Melamine is definitely heavy! That's the only thing I don't like about it. But, it stands up to humidity just fine, though. It's laminated, so how couldn't it? That's why melamine is pretty much the standard for rack builds... I would definitely prefer PVC over melamine, though. It's $80.00 per sheet, but that still beats $245.00 + $65.00 S&H for a little 3 rack system with only 4" heat tape and you could probably build a 4 rack system out of 1 sheet...

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There are always cuts and rough edges and drill holes somewhere...and any moisture seeping in will distort it. But I guess one could seal those areas...I just don't like melamine..

I still prefer PVC with routered out channels for heat tape [emoji6]


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Originally Posted by zina10

There are always cuts and rough edges and drill holes somewhere...and any moisture seeping in will distort it. But I guess one could seal those areas...I just don't like melamine..

I still prefer PVC with routered out channels for heat tape [emoji6]


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Agreed, melamine is crap. It is cheap, but it WILL eventually warp. PVC is the way to go if you are DIY rack system . I went with high-cabinet grade oak plywood, with waterproof sealant, which is stronger than pVC, but VERY VERY HEAVY. I couldn't afford the shipping for pVC, and it is only a 6 shelf rack, soon to be 4, as I am splitting it up to lessen the weighet.

I have been a mechanic for 20 years, so I build my own generally, but at some point I will probably h=buy some affordable racks. I have decided upon the Vivarium Electronics http://www.reptilebasics.com/reptile...series-2-rack/ CB70 5 rack system, enclosed on all sides and PVC material, at a very affordable price. I will keep my adult females in larger tubs though, as I don't think 41 quart tubs are nearly enough for a very large ball python.

Still plenty of time before I decide, any recommendations on which racks to use for large females? I'm looking for enclosed pVC racks.

RBI racks are well made, I use the cb70 3 shelf, ve-2 and ve-6. The only thing I don't like about them is how wavy the tape can get in the recessed section. I used foil tape on the edges of the tape of course to keep it down evenly. If not there can be hotspots on your tub. Once it's laying evenly the heat distribution to the tub is more even. Depending on what you want, how many snakes you plan to keep and what you want to spend, definitely look into ARS or FB, I love my ARS so far, the heat panels are top notch and heat tubs perfectly. Be glad to answer any questions about RBI or ARS stuff.

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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

Still plenty of time before I decide, any recommendations on which racks to use for large females? I'm looking for enclosed pVC racks.

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When the time comes that my females get so big that they need something larger I will get and move them to ars 8018 more than likely.


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Originally Posted by zina10

There are always cuts and rough edges and drill holes somewhere...and any moisture seeping in will distort it. But I guess one could seal those areas...I just don't like melamine..

I still prefer PVC with routered out channels for heat tape [emoji6]


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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

Agreed, melamine is crap. It is cheap, but it WILL eventually warp. PVC is the way to go if you are DIY rack system . I went with high-cabinet grade oak plywood, with waterproof sealant, which is stronger than pVC, but VERY VERY HEAVY. I couldn't afford the shipping for pVC, and it is only a 6 shelf rack, soon to be 4, as I am splitting it up to lessen the weighet.

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PVC is definitely most preferable. Melamine isn't the easiest material to work with and it's definitely ungodly heavy, but that's nothing a good set of casters can't solve. A little 3 or 4 rack system wouldn't weigh much, though...

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Originally Posted by cchardwick

The thing I really like about ARS is that they sell individual levels for all of their racks and a lot of their different racks can be stacked together. I was thinking of this ARS-7010, you can buy it one level at a time, you can even just buy one level with one tub. You can have a small stack or stack them as high as you can imagine, it all just slides together and it's stable enough to probably go 20 levels high!

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...vlg_hybrid.jpg

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So all these snakes kept in racks are basically in near darkness 24/7 , 365 days ??


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Originally Posted by Zincubus

So all these snakes kept in racks are basically in near darkness 24/7 , 365 days ??


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You could say that, but that's how ball pythons are, they aren't out roaming around in their natural habitat either. Their hold up in some hole in the ground, hollow tree trunk etc. I don't consider a ball python a display snake personally. Although I don't have so many that I can't get everyone of them out just about everyday and let them roam around a good bit to really stretch out and get the muscles moving.

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Originally Posted by oodaT

You could say that, but that's how ball pythons are, they aren't out roaming around in their natural habitat either. Their hold up in some hole in the ground, hollow tree trunk etc. I don't consider a ball python a display snake personally. Although I don't have so many that I can't get everyone of them out just about everyday and let them roam around a good bit to really stretch out and get the muscles moving.

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I always kinda cringe at that, like BPs just teleport between hollows. Yes, they like tight spaces, and although that's an easy 80% of the story, or more, it's not the whole book. They do come above ground, they do crawl between burrows. At certain times of years, in some areas, they are found out and about during the day. I do not know of any studies that track their nocturnal movements, but based on the behavior of other pythons and other snakes of similar body plans, I wouldn't be shocked if hunting ball pythons are sometimes forced to leave their burrows and find an ambush spot by a well-used rodent trail. Remember, their burrows are found by collectors who look for sign that a snake is coming in and out of a burrow -- that in itself tells me they're more active than we give them credit for. At least a little. Just not at a time that they normally cross paths with humans.

Because of that, honestly, near darkness is probably fine. It's likely that enough light makes it through the cracks to cue the animals as to what time of day of it is, and not being forced to see the human, especially when no hide is available, will reduce stress. Is it necessary? Probably not. Does it hurt? Also, probably not. Only way to know is to study it. I only know that it works, and can work very well.

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Originally Posted by oodaT

You could say that, but that's how ball pythons are, they aren't out roaming around in their natural habitat either. Their hold up in some hole in the ground, hollow tree trunk etc. I don't consider a ball python a display snake personally. Although I don't have so many that I can't get everyone of them out just about everyday and let them roam around a good bit to really stretch out and get the muscles moving.

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Mmmmm well I've seen a report from a Royal python hunter / gatherer and a decent % are found in trees and bushes ( during the day ) ... sooooo..


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