New to racks.

First, I would like to say hi. I'm new to these forums and look forward to interacting with everyone.
Now I am getting a spider ball for Christmas and would like to start expanding my collection after that. So my question is what is the best size tub for adults? Can I permanently keep balls in a rack system? Are tubs that are wider than deep secure? I'm a complete newbie at racks. However, I have experience with both snakes and other reptiles.

You can keep adults in a rack - I do it and it's great. Saves a lot of space, and cleaning is super easy.
Most people use CB70 tubs, but since I don't have them in my country I use slightly bigger once :).
Don't know what you mean by "secure" while talking about wider then deeper :P.

Well, I'll be building my own rack and will use sterilite 41qt tubs. I will place them sideways. Is that ok to do?

Nevermind on the last question. What is the best way to latch the tubs in?

What exactly do you mean by latch? some people will put bars or pegs in front of the tubs to keep them from moving but it really isn't necessary.

The only issue with putting tubs in longways facing front is that positioning the heat tape can be weird.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

What exactly do you mean by latch? some people will put bars or pegs in front of the tubs to keep them from moving but it really isn't necessary.

The only issue with putting tubs in longways facing front is that positioning the heat tape can be weird.

---

Yeah, like something I can use to stop the tubs from sliding out. I think I have that figured out I'll just leave one side open so I can run the wire. It's gonna be in my bedroom so I don't have to worry about cool temps.

You can get the pegs from reptile basics you just have to call rich and ask for them

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by iCandiBallPythons

You can get the pegs from reptile basics you just have to call rich and ask for them

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2

---

Just got on the reptile basics site. It says they will attach the electrical wire to heat tape for free if I purchase both. I think I will go that route so I don't have to do it. How good are they at Reptile Basics? I might just order all my supplies from them.

Reptile Basics is great. Rich has great customer service. Totally recommend him. :)

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DrDooLittle

Reptile Basics is great. Rich has great customer service. Totally recommend him. :)

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

---

x2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DrDooLittle

Reptile Basics is great. Rich has great customer service. Totally recommend him. :)

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

---

Great! Now to start planning everything out. I still have a while to wait to start building the rack but it's always better to have a solid plan ahead of time.

I keep my adult BP's in a CB70 from animal plastics. One thing to keep in mind with a rack system, particularly if it has open sides, is that you need to have the ambient temperature in the room high enough. I did not know that when I first started out. My CB70 racks have closed sides and dual side heating. But if you choose an open rack, then you may need a space heater or some other way to raise the ambient temperatures in the room.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Emmastaff

I keep my adult BP's in a CB70 from animal plastics. One thing to keep in mind with a rack system, particularly if it has open sides, is that you need to have the ambient temperature in the room high enough. I did not know that when I first started out. My CB70 racks have closed sides and dual side heating. But if you choose an open rack, then you may need a space heater or some other way to raise the ambient temperatures in the room.

---

Only one side is going to be partially open. That's just to solve the heat tape problem. I may look into other ways when build time gets closer. Can I keep a colubrid in my ball python rack? I know the temps are a little different but does anyone do this?

How bad would sagging be with a rack that is about 35in wide? I will be using melamine. How would I prevent sagging without changing the rack?

I have two 15qt tubs and I have a heat pad under them also have a thermometer with probe in them but the temperature is tooo low how can I raise the temperature.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Frostedkush

I have two 15qt tubs and I have a heat pad under them also have a thermometer with probe in them but the temperature is tooo low how can I raise the temperature.

---

Welcome to the site.

To try to answer your question I need to ask you a few questions:

1. do you have a thermostat regulating your heating pad.
2. what type of thermometers do you have?
3. what are your current temperatures?
4. what is the temperature of the room the tubs are in?

In the future, it really is better to start a new thread rather than redirecting an old thread.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pennstater6

Only one side is going to be partially open. That's just to solve the heat tape problem. I may look into other ways when build time gets closer. Can I keep a colubrid in my ball python rack? I know the temps are a little different but does anyone do this?

---

Are you having one of the long sides be the open face? If so, then there are a few things to consider. 1) That is a looong section of plastic to have exposed. The other 3 sides won't do much at all for insulation, so you might still need to heat the room. 2) You will probably still need hides because of how large the side is that will be exposed. If you were to build the rack with the short end as the open one, then the tub would be naturally darker and warmer at the back.

If you can match the temps needed for your BPs and colubrids, then you can use the same rack. If not, then no.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Welcome to the site.

To try to answer your question I need to ask you a few questions:

1. do you have a thermostat regulating your heating pad.
2. what type of thermometers do you have?
3. what are your current temperatures?
4. what is the temperature of the room the tubs are in?

In the future, it really is better to start a new thread rather than redirecting an old thread.

---

No I don't have a thermostat regulating , I have zoo med thermometer with probe it's the small yellow digital one with the white probe.

my current temp is 76

and my room temp is 74
thank you for any advice
if possible can you tell me what equipment I would need to achieve ideal conditions for my ball pythons.

You need to get a thermostat ASAP. Without one your heating pad can and will get hot enough to seriously injure your snake. (130+)

Here are 3 good options. Stay away from the junk sold in pet stores.

Budget: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000NZZG3S

Mid-Range: http://www.reptilebasics.com/ranco-etc-111000-pre-wired

Best: http://spyderrobotics.com/home/products.html

What are you using for substrate?
How thick of a layer do you have?
Where exactly is your thermometers probe?

The cool side/air temperature of a tub is controlled by the air temperature of the room the tub is in. This means that you have to heat the air in the entire room to effectively maintain a tub.

The hot side of a tub however can easily be created with a heating pad that is regulated by a thermostat. For the heating pad to be effective you need to keep your substrate layer down to 1/2" thick or less. Keep in mind that heating pads don't change the temperature of the air inside the tub so your thermometer probe needs to be on the bottom of the tub directly over the heating pad to be able to monitor the hot side temperature.