Reptile Basics Racks

Ok guys and gals. I was wondering if anyone here has one of the Reptile Basics rack systems. I am interested in their 3 tub CB-70 rack. I am kinda drawn to this one because it comes completely assembled, with tubs and heat. The rack is supposedly all complete and just needs to be plugged in ( of course using a Helix or other controller).
I am on the fence and was just hoping someone can give me a review on their product. Thanks All!

I have that exact rack and oddly have never used it. it is well put together and shipped fully built so no construction. I like it just havent used it yet.

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Originally Posted by Royal Morphz

I have that exact rack and oddly have never used it. it is well put together and shipped fully built so no construction. I like it just havent used it yet.

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Thanks Tim! hey, how did it come through shipping? did they package it well to prevent damage? Even though you have not used it, does it appear to be worth the price? Thanks.. as I am pretty sure I am going to go with this as this rack will need to be able to be moved around and that is something Melamine will not allow you to do! lol!

It was packaged with alot of packing peanuts and was packaged very well Rich@Reptile Basics is very easy to work with and f there was a problem with damage while shipping he would take care of ya.

I have been dealing with Jason at www.jasons-jungle.com He is very cool to deal with. He also sells thermostats and builds the racks himself, so any questions you have, he always has the answers for you. Only thing on the already built racks the shipping cost kinda sux. But if you have access to any shows he will usually know someone there so you can pick it up to save you some shipping costs.

I have three CB-70 racks from Rich. Love 'em.

If your room is on the cool side, you should have some supplemental heat, above and beyond the heat tape - but that's pretty normal. The instruction sheet will tell you not to set the rack on carpeting - listen to it.

Among the best features about RB racks is the customer service you'll get from Rich - you won't be unhappy with this choice!

~Bruce

I would go for the 4 slot 32q rack unless your putting big females in the 41q's beacause with the 32q racks from Rich, you can get dividers to split the 32's in half for hatchlings or juvies. Just gives you more options down the road in my opinion.

If the construction is anything like their cages I say get it. I have 6 of them and they are terrific. I did have one problem with one once and they sent me a new one and paid for the return shipping instantly. I give that company big props for craftsmanship and customer service!!!

Neil

WOW, thanks for all the input everyone, Although I would love to get the 32 qt 4 drawer for the option to seperate the tubs for hatchlings, I think I will need to go with the larger tub 3 tub model for the breeder size females. Just afraid 32qt may be too small. Opinions anyone? just want to get it right as I have been a colubrid man for years. BTW, my snake room usually averages 80-82 degrees. Thanks Again!

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Originally Posted by SNIKTTIME

I have been dealing with Jason at www.jasons-jungle.com He is very cool to deal with. He also sells thermostats and builds the racks himself, so any questions you have, he always has the answers for you. Only thing on the already built racks the shipping cost kinda sux. But if you have access to any shows he will usually know someone there so you can pick it up to save you some shipping costs.

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reptile basics does NOT charge shipping :)

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Originally Posted by BrucenBruce

I have three CB-70 racks from Rich. Love 'em.

If your room is on the cool side, you should have some supplemental heat, above and beyond the heat tape - but that's pretty normal. The instruction sheet will tell you not to set the rack on carpeting - listen to it.

Among the best features about RB racks is the customer service you'll get from Rich - you won't be unhappy with this choice!

~Bruce

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Is there a good reason for the no carpet? The apparment I moved in to is pretty much all carpet, except the bathroom and kitchen. I was planing to buy the 4 32qt tub rack. :confused:

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Originally Posted by Danounet

Is there a good reason for the no carpet? The apparment I moved in to is pretty much all carpet, except the bathroom and kitchen. I was planing to buy the 4 32qt tub rack. :confused:

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When you place these on carpet and the stack more on top they can cause a permanent spot where they sit and it is impossible to move these by scooting them across carpet

Oh thanks! so it's not a fire hazzard or anything? I guess I'll place a board under it.

Another question while I'm at it. I live in South Florida, usualy is pretty hot unless there is a cold front. The A/C when we are in the house (1/2 the time), is around 75-78, other wise the A/C is off (78+ deppending on season). What would be best? Back heat or belly heat? I dont know anything about back heat...

Thanks!

Belly for bp's, boas and such back or belly for colubrids

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Originally Posted by Danounet

Oh thanks! so it's not a fire hazzard or anything? I guess I'll place a board under it.

Another question while I'm at it. I live in South Florida, usualy is pretty hot unless there is a cold front. The A/C when we are in the house (1/2 the time), is around 75-78, other wise the A/C is off (78+ deppending on season). What would be best? Back heat or belly heat? I dont know anything about back heat...

Thanks!

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78+ is fine as long as you don't get too high. Keep cages and racks out of sunlight from windows. Back vs belly heat... your choice. Like well done vs rare steak, well not really in that respect but it is your choice they both work fine.

I really don't see an issue with back heat for BP's but some may differ in opinion.

My only real concern now is if the 3" flexwatt will be enough to heat up the rack good. But I guess it's enough if so many people have bought it...

I use 11" in an open board, so 3" looks so small to me, but then again is a closed rack...

Input on RBI racks and Question about the racks...
First I really like the racks that RBI makes...They are great quality and plug in play when you get it...Just make sure UPS doesn't destroy them in transit, but Rich will take care you if it does happen...:):):)

But for those that do have them, I have the farthest strip of heat tape lifted out of the recessed grooves. Does anyone know how to get them back in or make them flush again?:confused::confused::confused::confused:

These racks are awesome! I love them and will be purchasing more racks from RBI in the near future. A few things about the racks though. They don't take rough usage well. I don't think any racks do but my 3 tub CB70 rack for my adult females is having some issues. The heat tape has stopped working but I think that is my fault. The sweaterbox racks come with little pieces of wood over the heat tape that act as risers to keep the tubs from sliding back and forth over the heat tape. This protects the heat tape and the probe from being pulled up. The CB70 rack does not come with this and the heat tape on the second level has come up and I had an issue with the probe being pulled off. I did have a little mouse family make a home on the bottom level though when I lived in my apartment (feeders got loose from their tank and found their way to my racks. The heat tape attracted them to the rack and they made a little nest near the heat tape behind the tub out of paper towel and small pieces of cardboard. Ugh! I am going to replace this rack.

The sweater box racks are awesome but I do have one issue with these. I have two stacked on top of each other and one tub is extremely tough to pull out and push back in. I'm not sure why this happened but maybe its the rack's frame warping. I'm not sure, but again, it was probably my fault.

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Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

These racks are awesome! I love them and will be purchasing more racks from RBI in the near future. A few things about the racks though. They don't take rough usage well. I don't think any racks do but my 3 tub CB70 rack for my adult females is having some issues. The heat tape has stopped working but I think that is my fault. The sweaterbox racks come with little pieces of wood over the heat tape that act as risers to keep the tubs from sliding back and forth over the heat tape. This protects the heat tape and the probe from being pulled up. The CB70 rack does not come with this and the heat tape on the second level has come up and I had an issue with the probe being pulled off. I did have a little mouse family make a home on the bottom level though when I lived in my apartment (feeders got loose from their tank and found their way to my racks. The heat tape attracted them to the rack and they made a little nest near the heat tape behind the tub out of paper towel and small pieces of cardboard. Ugh! I am going to replace this rack.


The sweater box racks are awesome but I do have one issue with these. I have two stacked on top of each other and one tub is extremely tough to pull out and push back in. I'm not sure why this happened but maybe its the rack's frame warping. I'm not sure, but again, it was probably my fault.

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Thanks for the great post, I have a concern with the tubs only being a bit over 5" high. I am afraid a large breeder female with a clutch of eggs will not have enough clearance and possibly damage the clutch when the tub is pulled open

You should have no problem with a large female laying eggs in these tubs. My 1800g female laid a 6 egg clutch and had no issues. The eggs did not rub when I pulled the tub out. She laid them in a way that the clutch was not stacked high.

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Originally Posted by Danounet

Is there a good reason for the no carpet? The apparment I moved in to is pretty much all carpet, except the bathroom and kitchen. I was planing to buy the 4 32qt tub rack. :confused:

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There's also this - over a short time of being on carpet, the edges of the rack will sink into the rug a little, causing the bottom to bow up. The bottom tub, and to a lesser extent, the one above it, will get _really_ tight.

~Bruce

I've always kept my racks on carpet and I found that the top tub on the bottom rack has become very tight. Any thoughts on why? The bottom tub slides just fine though.

I have both the 32 qt and the 41 qt Reptile Basic Racks. I have problems with the 32 qt ones sticking when you slide a few of them shut. These 32 qt tubs has little legs in each corner on the bottom of the tub. where the heat tape is in the rack (belly heat). two small pieces of pvc over the heat tape so the legs don't drop down on the heat tape. my racks are on wooden boards so the floor if uneven, isn't causing this problem. when I slide the tub back in the rack it sticks and then when it releases the water spills. The 41 qt racks was no legs on the bottom of the tub and slide perfect. I would like to find a fix for the 32 qt racks when breeding season is over and I have a little free time. I spoke to 2 other breeders that had the same problems with the sticking. not sure on what their racks was sitting on. I'm not saying that these racks are not worth buying, I love the 41 qt and I have females in them that's pushing 4000 grams. I am going to buy more of these from Reptile Basic. And if I can get the 32 qt ones not to stick, these in my opinion would also be a good rack.

Just realized it WAS the bottom tub not the top tub that was giving me issues. I guess I have learned my lesson and will keep my racks on a solid floor from now on. But other than that, these racks are awesome and I plan on buying a few racks from RBI in 2010.