Looking to buy a snake rack

I've finally hopped on the bandwagon. I'm typical human - I can have a tendancy resist change. In fact, I successfully resisted the designer ball python fad for over 10 years! And we can see how that went with my current collection of snakes being dominated by bp morphs. :D

Anyhow, I want to get a rack for the majority of my snakes. This was inspired by the challenges of keeping a glass terrarium at the right humidity and temperature levels here in California, the heavy weight of glass cages (I do not want to move with those things), the challenge of reaching into the larger cages to clean, and this is also inspired by the desire to no longer feel cluttered with cages. ;)

The manufacturer I keep going back to is RBI, but I know there are others I should consider. I'm leaning towards this Iris Sweaterbox Rack 32 qt from RBI with dividers, and the Iris CB-70 Rack. And I'd like to use the Ranco pre-wired thermostat that RBI carries, and get a temp gun. Just not sure which temp gun I should get. I see the $25 ones out there and then RBI sells some $50-100. I'm not sure if I want to stick with my Fluker's thermo/hygrometer, so if you have a suggestion there too, that'd be cool.

Things I desire in a snake rack:

• efficiency (heat/humidity)
• low to moderate cost
• manufacturer that'll be around for me to buy more stackable/compatible racks
• light weight but durable (probably PVC?)

While I don't have an unlimited budget, I like doing things right the first time, I tend to buy high quality, but not always is the top of the line the best (i.e. an Arai helmet is not superior to a Shoei helmet, its preference... and a Scorpion helmet is tough to beat for quality and features for the price!).

Thanks in advance for sharing! Please post photos if you can!

i have 2 racks and both are boaphile. i had a ranco t-stat but it just took a dump so i have to get another. i have the sideways racks so i can change from 15q to 32q as i hatch and grow some out. i think ne of the racks/stats will work just fine but everyone has their perks and boaphiles is its nice and has been working well for years. plus jeff is a awesome guy to talk to. as far as a temp gun i got one for like 25$ that works fine from tempgun.com u do live in cali so if u want to fork out some money u can go check out freedom breeder in the valley

I like my animal plastics economy racks..... They are cheap work well, stackable.....

Ditto on what JJ said, Here's a link for them http://www.animalplastics.com/

Check these out if you got the money. They complete with everything you need, just add snakes

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...d.php?t=157752

I know what you mean about maintaining the temperature and humidity in California. I need to use a CHE to maintain heat levels for about 18 hours of the day and I have to constantly adjust it. I may be ordering a Herpstat 2 thermostat soon so I can plug both devices into it. Dimmers are annoying when the room temperatures vary by 30-35 degrees throughout the day.

As far as racks go, I'm designing my own right now.

It's funny you used motorcycle helmets for your analogy. Scorpion is impossible to beat for quality and price. I just wish they fit me better. I have an HJC now, my first helmet that I'm actually using for motorcycling (Have to wear a helmet when I race my car at the track). It's enormous but comfortable. I will be getting an Arai Quantum 2 when it's time for a replacement. Not because of the name but because it's fits the best. I'll stop derailing your thread now! :D

So one thing that I found that draws some concern, is that the Fusion Steel ad states, "No other rack, whether it’s constructed from melamine, pine or plastic will stand up against the high temperatures and humidity required to house reptiles. Fusion racks will not warp or peel []."

So anyone with RBI or Animal Plastics racks, how long have you had them, and have they warped at all with keeping balls at 80-90F with 50-60% humidity? RBI racks seems to give confidence that this shouldn't be an issue because they use 3/8" PVC... from their site:

Quote:

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Will these racks sag?
No, they are constructed with 3/8" material that is quite rigid but also light weight. The racks have been designed around the unique Iris brand boxes that put the majority of weight towards the outside walls. While much lighter and more durable than melamine racks or racks constructed of 1/2" PVC they will resist sagging equally well. A little thought in the design goes a long way.

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I'm glad I'm not enduring this CA dry cold battle alone withonor... thanks for empathizing. :)

And I'm stoked you were able to relate with my motorcycle helmet analogy. :D When it comes to a helmet, the first thing after safety is comfort... glad you found what works for you. I just liked the quietness of the Shoei and ease of visor swap, but then, with earplugs, it might be no diff with an Arai. And they definitely offer two different fits. Thanks again for posting!

Lol! Don't overlook HJC, too! I wish my head fit a Shoei...had a Scorpion, as well but also didn't fit my nogin. Couldn't beat the quality for the price, though!

Ive been happy with the cb-70 model from vision products. Add a robot like herpstat nd and your golden http://www.visionpro:gj:ducts.us/htm7/racks.html

a friend of mine turned me on to the animal plastics... She has been doing ball pythons since... cant honestly remember... she has pics of 05 offspring on her page... and I visit her house (to go shopping heheheh) on a regular basis hers all still look new....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CA cowgirl

Anyhow, I want to get a rack for the majority of my snakes. This was inspired by the challenges of keeping a glass terrarium at the right humidity and temperature levels here in California, the heavy weight of glass cages (I do not want to move with those things), the challenge of reaching into the larger cages to clean, and this is also inspired by the desire to no longer feel cluttered with cages. ;)

The manufacturer I keep going back to is RBI, but I know there are others I should consider. I'm leaning towards this Iris Sweaterbox Rack 32 qt from RBI with dividers, and the Iris CB-70 Rack. And I'd like to use the Ranco pre-wired thermostat that RBI carries, and get a temp gun. Just not sure which temp gun I should get. I see the $25 ones out there and then RBI sells some $50-100. I'm not sure if I want to stick with my Fluker's thermo/hygrometer, so if you have a suggestion there too, that'd be cool.

Things I desire in a snake rack:

• efficiency (heat/humidity)
• low to moderate cost
• manufacturer that'll be around for me to buy more stackable/compatible racks
• light weight but durable (probably PVC?)

While I don't have an unlimited budget, I like doing things right the first time, I tend to buy high quality, but not always is the top of the line the best (i.e. an Arai helmet is not superior to a Shoei helmet, its preference... and a Scorpion helmet is tough to beat for quality and features for the price!).

Thanks in advance for sharing! Please post photos if you can!

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I went with the equivalent rack from Animal Plastics: the 375 series. Here's a quick snapshot of it:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/...63de4dfe56.jpg

The bungee on the top shelf is to keep a curious kitty out. I'm sure you can't go wrong with the RBI rack either. I ordered a Johnson Controls herpstat from them, and it was literally plug and play. The Ranco is likely the same. Despite being in these tubs, I still can get problem sheds from my BPs in these racks (I already have an AP CB70 rack, and a couple of melamine racks) from our dry air here in San Diego. I'll still add some water to the newspaper in their tubs when I see they're in shed.

The Animal Plastic racks come unassembled but are easy to put together if you have a hand drill. You also have to buy the tubs separately. From what I understand, the reptile basic racks come completely assembled with heat and tubs. One other downside about Animal Plastics is that it takes a minimum of a month before you get your rack. The last one I ordered took 6 weeks (the one above), and it's only a 4 shelf tub! However they are very high quality and I'm completely satisfied with them. You won't have to worry about customer service from either companies.

Hey There, Thought I would share my set-up..

I did meet Jeff from Boaphiles in Tinley. Nice guy. Quality product. I also tend to pay for that extra service. Here it is...

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...0/2/1/rack.jpg

ScubaDiver,
Nice setup.
I'm new to this so forgive me if this is elementary, but in your setup you have UTH's under all of your tubs (or Flexi-Watt tape)?
Does this require any special electrical work for your household system to handle this?

Here's another question for all ya'll. Would you buy a used rack from a random person (v. reputable breeder)? There's one listed locally that has the rubbermaid tubs and flexwatt back heat included. I figure if the price is right for the condition, and the flexwatt heats up, its good, right?

I'm usually a little nervous about buying electrical things. And while a possible mite infection can be a concern, I can sterilize the tubs and rack, then treat with PAM as a precautionary before placing critters inside, that should be enough, yes? Any other concerns?

Many thanks!

Hey!
Sorry it took me soo long to check out your thread, been busy with the breeding season. I have some pictures of my current set-up hope you don't mind all the pictures. My room is 14 feet by 14 feet with a rat room built inside which is about 8 feet by 4-5 feet. All my racks are made of melamin wood. The hatchling racks have heat cord built into the bottom with a piece of metal on top, the wood had to be routed to keep the metal piece level with the wood. The Breeder racks have a thermal heating along the back of them hooked upto a helix. If there are any more questions feel free to ask.

Breeder Racks:
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/a...eederRacks.jpg

Hatchling Racks:
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/a...hlingRacks.jpg

Yearling Racks:
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/a...arlingRack.jpg

Breeding Bin Heat Panel:
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/a...kOfBreeder.jpg

Yearling and Hatchling Heat:
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/a...rlingRacks.jpg

Lighting and Fan to Circulate Hot Air:
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/a...ateWarmAir.jpg

Rat Racks:
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/RatRacks.jpg

Kitchen Fan in Rat room to Send Air Outside:
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/a...mtoOutside.jpg

Hope that helps!

Pretty cool set up you have Torontonian! I look forward to one day having a reptile room similar to yours. I think my current solution is an RBI brand plastic rack. Just waiting for the job situation to get into position.

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...761e73b878.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vjb

ScubaDiver,
Nice setup.
I'm new to this so forgive me if this is elementary, but in your setup you have UTH's under all of your tubs (or Flexi-Watt tape)?
Does this require any special electrical work for your household system to handle this?

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Hey Sorry for just getting back to you on this question.

Its flexwatt tape under the bins. Everything is tied off to a single plug .. then plugged into a outlet / Therm.

Just got a BIG ball room rack / I have no idea where im going to put it. i will update the picture over the weekend. Its for a couple of 3500+ 5 ft girls that I own.

I received my first rack ever yesterday from RBI, and I have to say it's very nice, it surpassed my expectations for the price, and Im not trying to say it was made cheap, it's very well made. It is the 32qt rack. I would post some pics, but I dont have the camera at the moment.

Just go with RBI, its going to be worth your time and money to just order from them. Tubs are always changing and it gets harder and harder to find the right size tub to fit a rack, so just buy the rack with heat and tubs for the same price as another rack without tubs. Plus Rich is amazing at what he does and would solve any problem you had with the shipping or the rack itself.

Today I bit the bullet and ordered racks from RBI. I selected two Iris sweaterbox racks - 32 qt with a set of dividers. I'm looking forward to receiving them and placing my snakes in their new set ups. :)

In a couple weeks when they arrive I'll share some photos.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CA cowgirl

Today I bit the bullet and ordered racks from RBI. I selected two Iris sweaterbox racks - 32 qt with a set of dividers. I'm looking forward to receiving them and placing my snakes in their new set ups. :)

In a couple weeks when they arrive I'll share some photos.

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Nice, I plan on picking up 2 of the 41 qt sized racks from Rich in a few weeks. I want the larger tub racks for my female breeders. :)

I use these for a few yrs. now an they are the best i have found built an quality price nothing compares.

http://boamaster.com/catalog/Racks-7-1.html

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vilenica

Ive been happy with the cb-70 model from vision products. Add a robot like herpstat nd and your golden http://www.visionpro:gj:ducts.us/htm7/racks.html

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I second the Vision choice. I have two and they are excellent!

hey I looking to buy a snake rack???:)p ps can you h me?:(