New rack is done!

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Sealed OSB sheets drying.

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Attaching 1X2 to shelves.

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Putting it all together.

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Attaching the heat tap to the shelves.

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Tubs installed and t-stat running.

Tubs are 41 quart sterilite, t-stat is a VE-300 and I'm using 12" heat tape. It is also on casters for easy movement. Thanks for looking!

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Nice job. Did you only seal one side of the OSB sheets? Sometimes condensations forms and drips off the tub on to the shelf. That may cause a problem over time.

Also, I have never used the 12" heat tape for belly heat, only back heat. It gets super hot if the t-stat fails. You may want to add another on/off t-stat or a dimmer as a backup in case the VE-300 fails.

Good luck with it.

Thanks, and maybe I will switch it to back heat. Would I just wrap it around the back of the tubs? If so it will be too tall. I am actually working on setting it up and adjsuting temps right now and at 86 degrees I was still getting a reading of above 95 with my temp gun inside the tubs. I am going to buy another thermometer to verify my temp gun isn't reading high but for now I dropped the t-stat down to a set temp of 80 and will see how that works. I did only seal the top sheets of OSB and that is a good point that you bring up. Maybe since it is exceptionally dry here I'll be okay, but time will tell!

Looks good! I use a rheostat as a backup in case of t-stat failure. Also, as I clearly missed it, welcome back!

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Originally Posted by gsarchie

Thanks, and maybe I will switch it to back heat. Would I just wrap it around the back of the tubs? If so it will be too tall. I am actually working on setting it up and adjsuting temps right now and at 86 degrees I was still getting a reading of above 95 with my temp gun inside the tubs. I am going to buy another thermometer to verify my temp gun isn't reading high but for now I dropped the t-stat down to a set temp of 80 and will see how that works. I did only seal the top sheets of OSB and that is a good point that you bring up. Maybe since it is exceptionally dry here I'll be okay, but time will tell!

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I'm not suggesting that you use back heat on 41 qt. tubs. You may want to put the 12" heat tape aside for a hatchling rack and get a new 4" tape setup for belly heat. It's cheaper to run the tape through the rack in one piece without cutting it and have only one connection to the electrical cord. Using that method each tub gets belly heat and heat on one side because of the way you snake it through. On a long tub like you're using place the heat tape so that it's 3-4 inches from the back of the tub. The heat will radiate forward and back creating a good size hot spot but not so big the snake can't get away from it.

Make sure you secure the probe directly on the heat tape with clear packing tape, not aluminum tape. As for the unsealed OSB, just watch for dripping as you use it. An easy fix in a small area would be kitchen cabinet contact paper. It's cheap and will protect the OSB and you won't have to take the rack apart.

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Originally Posted by swansonbb

Looks good! I use a rheostat as a backup in case of t-stat failure. Also, as I clearly missed it, welcome back!

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You didn't miss it, I just haven't posted about being home yet as I've been pretty damn busy getting settled back in. Either way, thanks! It has been great to be back so far and I will get to go see my sons before Christmas is here, so that will be amazing.

John:
I used a glue gun to secure the probe - one spot on the cord before the probe and one dab on the very tip of the probe. With the t-stat set at 80 I got temp readings between 88 and 92 on the floor of the tubs, but I do really like your idea of getting about 20' of 4" tape and running that all of the way through. I can use at least one piece of the 12" to put into a cooler for a cooler incubator this spring/summer when/if I get some eggs from the two females that I will be pairing up this year. Also, good idea on the contact paper. If I see that I end up having a problem with moisture I will keep that in mind.

Bruce your home! I thought it was getting close to that time now happy you made it back safe and sound. Nice rack can't wait to see your room and collection pics. When you setting up for the gators? I wanna see pics of all that too

Nice :gj::gj:

Looks good.
Welcome home sir.

I agree with replacing with 4" belly heat. Welcome back!

I have 12inch belly heat on my 41 qt rack and its awesome. I will warn you tho. The hot glue I used to attach the probe let go and the temp of the heat tape rose considerably. No snakes lost but lesson learned. I have a VE-200d and it has a % indicator of how much power it's using. Usually it hovers between 30 and 26%. I noticed it said 100. That's how I knew the probe came off. Nice rack tho! Gave me ideas for my next.


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Pretty slick, simple design...nice! Happy home coming Bruce! Get a few more ornaments on that tree if you can:D and have a blast with your boys when you see them!

First of all, Welcome home!!

I have 11" flexwatt belly heat in my rack, with 41qt steralites, and it works great.

So, I want to see what's IN the rack... ;)

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Thanks everyone! Pictures to follow of the collection, but right now I only have 4 of my nine balls in my possession. The other 4 are in Kansas and I am still waiting to get my male lemonback from Louis Kirkland. He wants to wait until we get some warmer temps, which I am completely okay with, as the welfare of my animals are always my highest concern with them. Also, maybe I will stick with the 12" belly heat then? As long as I can get the temps where I want them I guess they will work, and while it is a huge warm spot it is still only 1/3 of the tub...

The concern I have with using the 12 inch is the risk of failure. I recall seeing photos of melted tubs.

Some people use it and are fine. I'm not willing to take that risk. Try it out and decide later. I have made several racks and make changes to every new one as I find what works better.

Good luck and welcome back.

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

The concern I have with using the 12 inch is the risk of failure. I recall seeing photos of melted tubs.

Some people use it and are fine. I'm not willing to take that risk. Try it out and decide later. I have made several racks and make changes to every new one as I find what works better.

Good luck and welcome back.

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You make a very good point and I would spend the extra $50 than lose a few grand worth of snakes and even more $ in lost potential offspring.

I guess I am one of the lucky ones, all of my racks have 11" in them. 6qt with back heat, 28qt and 41qt with belly heat.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

I guess I am one of the lucky ones, all of my racks have 11" in them. 6qt with back heat, 28qt and 41qt with belly heat.

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Here's a question I don't have the answer to. Do any commercially available snake racks use 11 or 12 inch heat tape for belly heat? I'm talking about up to the 41 qt. - CB70 size tubs.

Check out Reptile Basics site for a write up on heat tape and call Rich if you have any questions.

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

Here's a question I don't have the answer to. Do any commercially available snake racks use 11 or 12 inch heat tape for belly heat? I'm talking about up to the 41 qt. - CB70 size tubs.

Check out Reptile Basics site for a write up on heat tape and call Rich if you have any questions.

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You know I havent seen any now that you mention it :confusd:

AP has duel 11" on the sides and Boaphile does 2 4" strips of belly.

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Originally Posted by 3skulls

AP has duel 11" on the sides and Boaphile does 2 4" strips of belly.

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I would imagine sides would be the same risk as back.

4 inch heat tape is 6 watts per foot. The 12 inch is 23 watts per foot. You can do the math.

I'm not saying it's a bad thing or telling anyone not to use it. It's just not worth the risk for me. YMMV

Welcome home Bruce. I haven't built a rack yet so I have nothing to add there, but glad to hear your home and will be seeing your boys soon.