The Anti-Melamine Rack

Sorry for the lack on in-progress photos but I hate taking pictures.

I also had a LONG description for you guys to read and know how I built this, but I had my power flicker as I was about finish typing it :(. SO....my hands are pretty fatigued at the moment. I'll just answer questions as they arise.:)
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Me holding up my 50 pound shelves. :O
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...2/IMG_0304.jpg

The finished product, it has the capacity for 4 - 28qt tubs, or 6 - 12 qt tubs. My female pastel is cruising around the tub on the right already. (If your wondering what the black thermometer is doing hanging out of the left tub...I was still fine tuning my hot spot temp)
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...2/IMG_0308.jpg

mmmm. Not bad :)

Awesome i wish i was able to build stuff! :P

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Originally Posted by dembonez

Awesome i wish i was able to build stuff! :P

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Why cant u. To build a rack all u need is a drill =)

I need to start a fund-raising program for this new rack.

"Help these Sterilite tubs fine companions! The longer you wait the sooner they will become depressed enough to commit suicide" :rofl:

i dont get the title or the reasoning for such thick levels/dividers? not to hate on your rack its awesome dont get me wrong great job! just a question what is the purpose of haveing hollow dividers?

SWEET RACK

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Originally Posted by f4n70m

Why cant u. To build a rack all u need is a drill =)

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Don't own any power tools LOL!!

cool! each shelf is 50 lbs? or am i reading that wrong, lol.

if each shelf is 50lbs you might as well have used melamine :P

very cool rack, i wish i had the space to build stuff, stupid apartment

@Katia and Lostcoast. The shelves are around 35-40 pounds I exaggerated a bit, but they still are freaking tanks. They are thick like that because I made a frame out of 2x2's for each shelve before I put a piece of plywood on both sides.

The reason I did that was plywood can warp with the changes in humidity, so they are screwed to a frame that's screwed to a frame (lol) AND glued! Plus It allowed me to pack the dead space inside the shelves with insulation.

Why are we against melamine? (Nice racks though!)

Yeah, Can't say i'd ever make a rack like that, it's a little akward. I like the fact that you wanted to make your own rack, but seems unfinished and needs a coat of paint. Also that is going to be really difficult to maintain heat if your room temps aren't above 75.

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Originally Posted by dembonez

Don't own any power tools LOL!!

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Borrow a drill :P Tis what i do haha

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Originally Posted by katia

cool! each shelf is 50 lbs? or am i reading that wrong, lol.

if each shelf is 50lbs you might as well have used melamine :P

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lol yea thats what i was thinking

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Originally Posted by bsavage

very cool rack, i wish i had the space to build stuff, stupid apartment

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haha man ud be surprised... In a 10x9 room i house 12 snakes. And about to add a breeding rack for rats (rats will be in closet)

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Originally Posted by steveboos

Also that is going to be really difficult to maintain heat if your room temps aren't above 75.

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Yea this had crossed my mind when i first looked at it. Where most racks are 3 sides covered helps hold in some heat thats emitted from the felxwatt

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Originally Posted by steveboos

Yeah, Can't say i'd ever make a rack like that, it's a little akward. I like the fact that you wanted to make your own rack, but seems unfinished and needs a coat of paint. Also that is going to be really difficult to maintain heat if your room temps aren't above 75.

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Nah, paint would look tacky. I plan to stain it at some point or another. Heat has been perfect by the way. I thought about putting pegboard, or something without holes on the back and sides. But decided against it because to me flexwatt really doesn't generate hardly any ambient heat. Maybe a tiny bit, but not much. You would have to do a really awesome job sealing the back and sides to up really make a difference. (IMO a difference is at least 5-7 degrees)

The room it's in stays a constant 74'F

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Originally Posted by loonunit

Why are we against melamine? (Nice racks though!)

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Thanks! :)

I'm not against it...everyone can go build themselves a melamine rack and it doesn't bother me. I just wanted something different, and I think melamine is too high priced for your getting. Yes, my rack did cost a little more than a melamine one would have. But I dont have to worry about the particle board under the melamine paneling chipping, falling apart, screws pulling out, or being a "Possible" headache.

OP is a young Bob Vila!


Nice work!

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Originally Posted by Cody John Steele

Nah, paint would look tacky. I plan to stain it at some point or another. Heat has been perfect by the way. I thought about putting pegboard, or something without holes on the back and sides. But decided against it because to me flexwatt really doesn't generate hardly any ambient heat. Maybe a tiny bit, but not much. You would have to do a really awesome job sealing the back and sides to up really make a difference. (IMO a difference is at least 5-7 degrees)

The room it's in stays a constant 74'F

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I have no problem with ambient temp and i use back heat.

I would suggest to at least polyerouthane (sp...sorry) the rack. That way it will resist the humidity as well as make it water proof. AND.....heaven forbid you ever catch mites it will be easier to treat. Interesting idea you had!