Possible rack build

im really considering building a rack. not a big one. maybe just a 1 level 1 row. since i only got 3 snakes.

i would really like to use tanks. but i read where they dont work as good for heating and moisture as a tub does.

i would like to build some enclosures. maybe?

i got the perfect spot in my room. there in a indention in my room. mind the house was built in the 60s.

it is 3ft deep and 34in wide. and 8ft ceiling of course.

i would like to build the enclosures due to them having more room to move and i can look at them more. kinda like the enclosures at the pet stores.

ps sorry it looks like a mess. we are rdoing everything that the previous people messed up...

http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/a...101_164934.jpg

Something like this?

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...psbcf64ec2.jpg

or more like this?

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/c22733cf.jpg

There is no perfect enclosure. Racks are great space savers but have limited heating methods and in cool room (<68ºF) temps can be very hard to maintain correct ambient temps. The solution most use it not to use racks in cool room temps but to heat the room to 80º. tanks with open tops do lose heat and humidity but they also offer economy and the widest range of heating appliances to maintain heat. Plastic enclosures are in between offering a balance of heating options with good looking efficiency. Tanks can also be side turned offering many of the benefits of plastic with the cleanliness of glass the cost is complex hanging fixtures. No type is clearly better each have their own challenges personally I use side turned tanks custom designed enclosures plastic commercial enclosures (slab built and roto moulded) as well as a rack. I have no problems with humidity or heating any of them I have solved issues I encountered with each one. The question isn't which is best but which suits MY needs, the location and my abilities the best. It is personal there is not right answer every set up location and keeper differs.

kinda but with actual enclosures.

but like this

i read where some like these hold moisture and heat well.

I would do those kinds of enclosures instead of a tank. They do tend to hold heat and humidity in better than tanks. I've been looking into getting an animal plastics T8.

So you want this:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/c22733cf.jpg

Stackable enclosures

Check out this thread:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

ha. thanks alot. basically a rack of enclosures. but 3 for now.

i appreciate it. i would do tubs. but i wouldnt want to be in a tub for all my life. i actually want it to be almost like the natural environment.

i know they arent picky and prefer small stuff. but idk. im weird. lol

thanks alot. going to look tomorrow into what all i need and get measuresments on how big i want them.

sorry to bring up a old post. but any suggestions on what to build enclosures out of?

i need something cheap. i wanted to do pvc but its exspensive.

Melamine

Just remember melamine is very very very heavy, so once you build it, that's pretty much where it's gonna stay lol. PVC is much better, may run a bit, but shouldn't cost you as much as actually buying a ore built one. It's also a lot lighter, so if you need to move it or anything it's much more easy!!! But, you go with what you want and what's in your budget!!!


0.3 Normals (Coilette, Athena and Mary Jane)
1.0 Pastel (De Sol)
1.0 Spider (Zeus)
1.0 Mojave (Prometheus)

0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Stella)
0.1 BCI (Kiyoko)
0.1 Dumerils Boa

depending on what kind of snakes you are keeping tubs are great. Ball pythons like smaller enclosures. In the wild they are found in burrows and old termite nests. They dont like big open glassy enclosures.

i like tubs. but i want something to display them. if they dont feel confy in the enclosures i could always block it off and fill in the other side ;)

itll be housing 3 balls.

going to block to off anyways because 2 are only a few months old, the other is about 400g. he should be fine. if not. then block it off.

i want would as exterior. i want it to match my room.

im doing it on a low budget. if all else fails, i can add more money. i was looking at lots of build.


i know about the epoxy and all that, thinking of doing wood and using melamine on the bottom and flew watt between the melamine and wood?

No I would not suggest using flexwatt between melamine and ply. If you are going to sandwich flexwatt the manufacturer has specific instructions to follow it is quite complex. I would avoid particle boards as they have serious questions of out gassing and are not very water resistant.

We use home made melamine racks for our babies and sub adults. As far as matching your room, melamine comes in many different finishes.

Kitemon. Weve been using melamine for years and have never had an issue. No outgassing issues and it holds up to humidity very well.

Sent using my Galaxy Note 2

He didn't say melamine, he said particle board ;)


Ball Pythons
0.3 Normals (Coilette, Athena and Mary Jane)
1.0 Pastel (De Sol)
1.0 Spider (Zeus)
1.0 Mojave (Prometheus)

Boa Constrictors
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Stella)
0.1 BCI (Kiyoko)
0.1 Dumerils Boa (Gloria)