Build or Purchase: Rack System?

So I am trying to decide what i should do. I am up to 10 adults and sub adults, and i am going to stay at that number until next breeding season (or at least i am hoping that i do not make any more purchases). I am ready to get a rack system (I am currently stacking tubs, getting tired of it quickly). Should i go ahead and spring for the purchase or should i try and build one out of melamine? If i save some money on this i might get a lesser? Haha

They are not difficult to build if you are up to it. Most racks can get pretty expensive having 10 snakes total I would hold off and build one.

If you have the time and tools, it's cheaper to build yourself. But if you are like me and live in an apt, saws and other tools just aren't feasible and buying is the only way to go.

I prefer plastic ones to Melamine so I buy. If you have the tools and the time, I have seen some folks build pretty nice ones.

Depends on what you like and how you value your time.

I like rack made out of expended PVC and if I was to build it myself I would not save a whole lot of money and since I value my time I order mine from Animal Plastics http://www.animalplastics.com/

They are light yet very sturdy and can easily be put together.

If you have money to burn, buy. If not, build. They are easy to build, and much cheaper.

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Originally Posted by MasonC2K

If you have the time and tools, it's cheaper to build yourself. But if you are like me and live in an apt, saws and other tools just aren't feasible and buying is the only way to go.

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Or if your like me and the hospital bills from the power tools start adding up you might want to just purchase. Plus I personally have no patience and want something now so I usually buy in order to get the instant satisfaction. :D

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Originally Posted by RetiredJedi

Or if your like me and the hospital bills from the power tools start adding up you might want to just purchase. Plus I personally have no patience and want something now so I usually buy in order to get the instant satisfaction. :D

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I think building would be way faster than ordering?:O Most places have a lead time of at least a few weeks.

I am ordering a 7 drawer one of these this week: http://www.animalplastics.com/Sterilite/1756.htm

Not sure the lead time on AP, but it has to be better than Boaphile!

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Originally Posted by jinx667

I think building would be way faster than ordering?:O Most places have a lead time of at least a few weeks.

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You are right Jinx but I got mine at the Repticon so I got lucky. I researched some racks, figured out what I wanted, went to the show, and there they were.

The animal plastic racks do seem to be the most economical, but i am still looking at 500.00 for a ten rack adult system with heat (plus the cost of tubs which would be ~100.00). Could someone give me an idea about how much it would cost to build a system around the tubs i already have?

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Originally Posted by RetiredJedi

You are right Jinx but I got mine at the Repticon so I got lucky. I researched some racks, figured out what I wanted, went to the show, and there they were.

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I am also going to go to repitcon in Perry, GA in a few weekends (unless i hear that this show is not worth going to, i wouldnt be suprised).

Which tub are you using? Seems a lot of the DIY racks still run 2-300 minimum, and that is IF you have all the tools.

I think that 500-600 to house what are likely several thousand dollars in snakes is not that bad.

I don't like melamine...it's heavy, it wears down, does not take to humidity very well.

If you're looking to spend around $500, check out the first rack on this page...

http://www.visionproducts.us/htm7/racks.html

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Originally Posted by RobNJ

If you're looking to spend around $500, check out the first rack on this page...

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Brain malfunction...you're looking to NOT spend that much...

I built a 7 tub 41qt rack for like $200.
The 2 4x8 sheets of melamine were $40 each and the screws were like $6. Plus tax obviously. Then the tubs at target were like $10 a piece so thats another $70. The flexwatt was like another $30 i think...? Home depot made every cut there for me and i wasnt charged for any of them. Idk if the girl liked me or they dont charge anyone for cuts lol? My stepdad had a powerdrill that i used to build it but if you dont have one im sure someone you know does, that you could just borrow. Then i used the same t-stat as before. So in total thats about $200. It took me like 1hr to put it all together. Getting it inside was the biggest pita in the world!!! If you decide to go this route build it in the room youre putting it in!!! lol
Also if i were you i would use 32qt tubs since you have 10 snakes already. Itll save some space for you.
If you have any questions feel free to pm me :)

I have a hard time successfully operating a flat head screw driver. Power tools are well beyond my skill set. I prefer to purchase premade PVC racks. The last rack I ordered from RBI got here in 4 days.

I built this one for just under $300.00. It holds the CB-70 tubs.
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...and-my-nice-bp

We have homemade racks. Screw that. I have some PVC ones on order.

The experts know what they're doing. They've been doing it forever and on a more regular basis than any DIYers, and have worked out the kinks.

Also like somebody else said, we live in an apartment. I don't think it would be a very good idea to get the table saw out of storage and start ripping sheets of material in the living room :P

PVC racks will probably be one of the best investments for your snakes as their longevity is much better than melamine or sealed plywood (from what I've read, anyways)

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Originally Posted by SquamishSerpents

We have homemade racks. Screw that. I have some PVC ones on order.

The experts know what they're doing. They've been doing it forever and on a more regular basis than any DIYers, and have worked out the kinks.

Also like somebody else said, we live in an apartment. I don't think it would be a very good idea to get the table saw out of storage and start ripping sheets of material in the living room :P

PVC racks will probably be one of the best investments for your snakes as their longevity is much better than melamine or sealed plywood (from what I've read, anyways)

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Like i said they cut everything for you at home depot so no need for a saw. Also your snakes could care less if theyre in a pvc or melamine rack. They wouldnt be able to tell the difference.
With that said, i would much prefer a pvc rack bc i think black looks nicer than white melamine and it would be ALOT lighter lol. When i was deciding btwn racks i decided to do a DIY one just bc i didnt have $700-$800 to drop on one.

OOPS I re-read what I wrote, because I was wondering why you said my snakes could care less weather it was mel. or PVC. I didn't mean the SNAKES have better longevity in a PVC rack, I meant the racks themselves would have better longevity. Also PVC is self-extinguishing, which is a huuuuuuuuuge plus for my peace of mind. Obviously self-extinguishing doesn't mean fire proof, but I feel a lot better about it than plywood.

I don't know how your staff are at Home Depot, but I don't trust the people that works at ours :P

I did get some cuts done there for our hatchling rack (melamine) as well as our rat racks, and I could have done a better job with one arm and my eyes closed. I don't trust them to make cuts, lol.

And yeah my PVC racks are going to be black and I'm sooooo over the moon about it.

Eventually I want to change over all of our rack systems to PVC, I want a nice, matching reptile room dammit! But in our financial situation right now (I'm barely working and my BF owes lots and lots of taxes due to an accounting screw up) we're just making due with our crappy plywood racks. I had to get something, though. Because I'm stacking tubs in a room right now and IT SUPER SUCKS.

I would suggest building out of plywood finished of course, it will stand the test of time against humidity. Or if you use melamine I would paint it to help it with humidity.

I will likely end up building a rack, I have the tools and the know how to build something on the cheap.

And not only save a few bucks but make something a little more aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

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Originally Posted by ExotixTowing

I would suggest building out of plywood finished of course, it will stand the test of time against humidity. Or if you use melamine I would paint it to help it with humidity.

I will likely end up building a rack, I have the tools and the know how to build something on the cheap.

And not only save a few bucks but make something a little more aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

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Theres no need to paint the melamine. The coating on it prevents humidity from warping it. Eventually your rack may start to bow in the middle if its too wide without support.
Also ive read somewhere melamine is fire retardent. Like it cannot catch on fire by itself. Im not positive on that though...

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Theres no need to paint the melamine. The coating on it prevents humidity from warping it. Eventually your rack may start to bow in the middle if its too wide without support.
Also ive read somewhere melamine is fire retardent. Like it cannot catch on fire by itself. Im not positive on that though...

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It burns lol.

I just never use it anywhere there might be water or moisture.

It's a personal choice I guess

I've owned several types of racks, Animal plastics, Reptile Basics, HerpEnclosures, Etc. Now, I own ARS racks. If I had to start all over again, I'd go straight to ARS. Since switching, my breeding rates are better and my cleaning time has decreased. In addition, they do not sag or wear out and provide a good thermal gradient. They will last the life of the snake. So, for around $100 per snake, I find them to be a good value.

I still use Reptile Basics for baby racks, but plan to upgrade those in a few years.

Check out this DIY rack article.

http://ssscales.com/archives/290

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Originally Posted by Don

I've owned several types of racks, Animal plastics, Reptile Basics, HerpEnclosures, Etc. Now, I own ARS racks. If I had to start all over again, I'd go straight to ARS. Since switching, my breeding rates are better and my cleaning time has decreased. In addition, they do not sag or wear out and provide a good thermal gradient. They will last the life of the snake. So, for around $100 per snake, I find them to be a good value.

I still use Reptile Basics for baby racks, but plan to upgrade those in a few years.

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My only complaint about ARS is it doesnt give the option to only buy the rack with tubs. Or at least i cant find it on the site?
Like i would rather wire the heat and use the t-stat i already have...
Their tubs with the windows look really sweet though, i like the look of them alot!

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Originally Posted by ExotixTowing

It burns lol.

I just never use it anywhere there might be water or moisture.

It's a personal choice I guess

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Agreed, fair enough :)

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

Check out this DIY rack article.

http://ssscales.com/archives/290

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I just ordered a Xpvc sheet cut to house 8 15qt rubbermaids, based on these plans just different measurements. I got blue tinted ones figured it would give more security. I plan on running 2 feet of 11" flexwatt on the back to heat it. I'll let you guys know how the build goes!

I've built several racks (pictures are somewhere on here), and after the last one, I stated "never build again"; I got my hatchling rack last week from C Serpents Reptiles and Racks. I got an 18 slot hatchling rack with heattape already installed, and tubs; $265 TOTAL shipped to my house. Love it!

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Originally Posted by mikeandsheleen

I've built several racks (pictures are somewhere on here), and after the last one, I stated "never build again"; I got my hatchling rack last week from C Serpents Reptiles and Racks. I got an 18 slot hatchling rack with heattape already installed, and tubs; $265 TOTAL shipped to my house. Love it!

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Why dont you ever wanna build again?
And is there a website for C Serpents? I only see their facebook page...

I cant argue that the purchased racks aren't nice, or that the pros don't all use ARS or Freedom Breeder type steel frame suspended racks. However, if money is tight nice racks can be built for less. I built a rack recently using 1/4" XPVC and wood combined. I got the design and DIY build instructions from this site.
http://northeastsnakes.com/racks.html
The one I made ended up having 7 Rubbermaid 15 quart tubs in the top section and 7 Sterilite 28 quart tubs in the loser section. Can be heated with back heat or belly heat. I used boards that came pre primed in white for a nice all white finished look. You could paint the wood black and use black XPVC just as easily. All in with heat and casters was less than $200.

IMO the only drawback of building your own out of melamine is the weight. They get real heavy especially when you start building anything with 10+ tubs.

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Originally Posted by francisco_24

IMO the only drawback of building your own out of melamine is the weight. They get real heavy especially when you start building anything with 10+ tubs.

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I agree 100%. I built my 7 layer one and it took alot of huffin and puffin from me and my stepdad to get it inside. If i had done 8 layers idk if we would have been able to get it inside lol.

In addition, after a few years melamine sags making the tubs stick.

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Originally Posted by Wh00h0069

If you have money to burn, buy. If not, build. They are easy to build, and much cheaper.

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THIS. If you're handy then build it to your specs. If you have $ to blow, then buy one. You can even have one custom made.

It's about half the cost to build your own. Home Depot is also a lot of help they will cut the melamine to size for you. I just built a 12 tub sub-adult rack. When I am all done with tubs and heat tape its going to cost me around $300.

Josh

Build them out of expanded pvc best thing going right now for DIY as far as durability and cost. I just built 2 out of xpvc and love them i got the plans from SSScales one 41 qt and 1 12/28 qt cost about 400 or so and they cut it just put it together. Look at www.lairdplastics.com they are a big help.

I built this one for only about $60 before flexwatt and thermostat. Only drawback is the weight (i used 3/4" of the really high density MDF) and it would have a little less of a lifespan of melamine.

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...313_135353.jpg

I built my own from melamine. It's SO heavy. Since I didn't follow plans word for word, I ended up spending about 300 without heat and definitely could have lowered that # a ton with better planning. I never thought of it in terms of a "per snake" cost, but after considering that I don't see myself ever building my own enclosure again. You're going to house some potentially very expensive animals in the rack. It might as well look nice, be professionally constructed, and last forever.

Oh, and melamine is RIDICULOUSLY HEAVY... and if you ever move there's a good chance it will lose a huge amount of structural integrity in the process because of the way the screws hold in the wood.

Get a pro rack and wait till you have more money to get the lesser.

/2cents

I see alot of peoe saying its cheaper to build, home depot wil make your cuts so they build.

The only problem with that is home depot cant make dato cuts into the melamine. This is where the majority of the strength of the rack comes from. Luckily my father is the shop teacher at a high school and I had full access to tools. I built my first rack with the thought in mind it will only last me 5 years. Each season I will put money away from every clutch. This will let me buy a new rack or buy the pvc sheet so I can build my own.

Up here its about $1000 for a cb70 8 bin rack. I priced it out and it would be about $1000 for me to build a 10 high CB70 and a 28qt 10 bin rack with the tubs, heat tape, and screws.

Oh and yes Melamine is heavy but I dont move my racks every day, week, or month. If I was I would put castors on the bottom.

I have built my own and bought them. My first was a melamine rack that held 10 tubs and weighed a ton. Then I built them as 5 tub racks to make it easier to move. I have built them out of plywood to cut down on weight and expense because melamine is usually a little more $ and definitely heavier. I finally bought a freedom breeder cb-70 rack and then made a set of plans off of it so I can weld up my own. Making my wood racks usually cost me around $50-100 depending on the size of racks and tubs. Welding my own freedom breeder style racks costs me about a thousand total which is a huge savings from buying them at $2500-2900 each.... but you need to have the tools and welding experience. In my opinion building is the only way to go because I can't afford to buy most of this stuff new and I can always make time to work on it on my weekends.

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Theres no need to paint the melamine. The coating on it prevents humidity from warping it. Eventually your rack may start to bow in the middle if its too wide without support.
Also ive read somewhere melamine is fire retardent. Like it cannot catch on fire by itself. Im not positive on that though...

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It is moisture resistant, but I have seen it swell up with excess humidity and fall apart inside of 2 years.