Rack Systems

Hey everyone! I was just wondering what types of rack systems you guys have and if you have any pros and cons for them. I'm new to the forum and am getting my first BP in august (I hate waiting!!!) So I plan on doing as much research as possible!!!! :) I was thinking about this summer getting an Iris 375 rack for smaller males and some other snakes and CB-70 for large males and females. Does this sound about right? Thanks for all your help!

Ooh looks like someone is getting a jump start on things!

:welcome: to the forum.

I personally like the "sideways" type racks that can use two small 15qt tubs per shelf or one big 32qt tub per shelf. This is a good size tub for adult males or females over 2000g. You won't need a 42qt rack until you have snakes that size. From animal plastics: IRIS 375 JUVENILE/HATCHLING RACKS.

i am still using my homemade melamine 6,28,41qt rack's and trying save $$$ for ARS rack's ;)

Thanks for the info!! Yeah a 7 month head start lol!! :D I think i'm now for sure getting the iris 375 rack from AP then just wait to see if i need the CB-70 :)

Pros- they are compact, easy to control temps and humidity. Easy to clean, provide your animals a sense of security, look awesome.
Cons- ......I'll keep thinking.

lol!! I couldn't think of any cons either!! Another Pro would be its black so it matches my furniture! :D

I just ordered an RBI Sweaterbox and CB-70 rack. Both Iris tubs. I love them both! They hold temps and humidity great and they allow you to own more animals in a small amount of space. The only con is really that you can't always see the snakes. So if you're trying to display them, a rack isn't the best idea.

If you want display animals, BPs aren't the way to go, either. :P

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Originally Posted by Rob

Cons- ......I'll keep thinking.

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There is the fact that you have to heat an entire room to 75+ degrees year round.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

There is the fact that you have to heat an entire room to 75+ degrees year round.

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That is true it is a con of racks in general however.

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Originally Posted by Jrl6130

Hey everyone! I was just wondering what types of rack systems you guys have and if you have any pros and cons for them. I'm new to the forum and am getting my first BP in august (I hate waiting!!!) So I plan on doing as much research as possible!!!! :) I was thinking about this summer getting an Iris 375 rack for smaller males and some other snakes and CB-70 for large males and females. Does this sound about right? Thanks for all your help!

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until you're willing and able to make the jump to professional-grade racks, my best advice would be to purchase from Reptile Basics (RBI). in my opinion Rich makes the best rack systems available for the price. their customer service is also pretty much the gold standard for this hobby/industry, and their lead time is the best I've encountered. I've purchased from Boaphile and Animal Plastics as well, both of which I'm happy with, but they have their respective drawbacks. whenever I can afford it, my next rack will come from ARS without question. I recently bought a rack from Freedom Breeder for my adult balls not too long ago, and I have not been overwhelmed with satisfaction. it's certainly well made and functional, and I have no complaints about how I was treated as a small-time customer, but overall I don't think I'd recommend FB over other options.

best of luck. you're doing the right thing by planning ahead.

Reptile Basics is the way to go. I have 6 of the CB-70 racks from Rich, and a bunch of racks I built myself. Building your own will save you tons of money...

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps261b32d4.jpg
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...8/IMG_0333.jpg

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Originally Posted by wwmjkd

until you're willing and able to make the jump to professional-grade racks, my best advice would be to purchase from Reptile Basics (RBI). in my opinion Rich makes the best rack systems available for the price. their customer service is also pretty much the gold standard for this hobby/industry, and their lead time is the best I've encountered. I've purchased from Boaphile and Animal Plastics as well, both of which I'm happy with, but they have their respective drawbacks. whenever I can afford it, my next rack will come from ARS without question. I recently bought a rack from Freedom Breeder for my adult balls not too long ago, and I have not been overwhelmed with satisfaction. it's certainly well made and functional, and I have no complaints about how I was treated as a small-time customer, but overall I don't think I'd recommend FB over other options.

best of luck. you're doing the right thing by planning ahead.

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Thanks everybody!!!! Just out of curiosity what were the drawbacks from Boaphile and Animal plastics? Thanks :D I'm getting so excited!!!

Boaphile doesn't have the best customer service..although they have a nice product. Animal plastics doesn't sell the tubs.

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My vote is for www.CSerpents.com! Chris is awesome, great customer service, great turn around time, great racks, great prices!

One day, after I win the lottery/have a facility/dream I'll have to grab either (or both) a freedom breeder rack or ars. But until then, Cserpents all the way :gj:

Depending on where you are, you might be able to save on shipping with Cserpents as well, they do a lot of shows in the south east US. (for instance, they're at every repticon in Florida, so it makes it a good bit cheaper for me :) )

Wow thanks for the info everyone!!! :D And Yay!!! I live in Florida too so ill have to check out C Serpents at the next expo!!

RBI racks are great quality and Rich has great customer service. You can also do show pick ups to save on shipping if they attend a show near you. Also turnaround is quick. If you need a rack quickly, you can usually have it within 2 weeks.

AP racks are the next level. I find them to be more solid via thicker PVC (also heavier.. Lol) than RBI and AP will customize to your needs. I have a V-18 rack which is not advertised on their site. They also have great customer service. Drawbacks are they are more expensive (but still reasonable) and you have to wait while they built it (expect to wait 2 months). You also have to buy your own tubs and assemble the rack.

I would recommend either, but I give the edge to AP due to overall quality and customization options. Something to also consider is how much rack space you will need. RBI makes smaller racks so they can be shipped assembled. AP makes full sized racks as well as smaller ones, but you need to assemble them (trust me it's easy - this is coming from someone who put IKEA furniture together wrong) on your own. If you plan in having a big collection, I'd go with the full sized AP rack.

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Originally Posted by j. cooper

Reptile Basics is the way to go. I have 6 of the CB-70 racks from Rich, and a bunch of racks I built myself. Building your own will save you tons of money...

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps261b32d4.jpg
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...8/IMG_0333.jpg

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I love your racks how did you finish the wood for humidity.

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Originally Posted by RoseyReps

My vote is for www.CSerpents.com! Chris is awesome, great customer service, great turn around time, great racks, great prices!

One day, after I win the lottery/have a facility/dream I'll have to grab either (or both) a freedom breeder rack or ars. But until then, Cserpents all the way :gj:

Depending on where you are, you might be able to save on shipping with Cserpents as well, they do a lot of shows in the south east US. (for instance, they're at every repticon in Florida, so it makes it a good bit cheaper for me :) )

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I have 5 C-Serpents racks... (3)- 10 tub adult, (1)- 16 tub V18 rack and (1)- 18 tub hatchling rack (and another hatchling rack coming soon).

Chris is great to deal with. If you want something kinda one off- they will do it. All mine are on wheels. My next Hatchling rack and V18 rack will not need wheels- they will stack on top of my current racks.

As for your everyday enthusiast C-Serpents is hard to beat... great prices too :gj:

So many to choose from lol!! Right now I'm debating between Cserpents and AP... Ill just have to do more research and math since AP doesn't supply you with the tubs ill have to add that in with the shipping costs. Thanks for all the help!!! :D

I've owned so many different rack systems...reptile basics hatchling, juvenile and adult racks were my first. I made the mistake of keeping them on carpet which over time warps the racks and makes the tubs harder to move in and out. They were great though, came pre assembled, w tubs, heating and fast shipping - good to go!! As well as being stackable when expanding, you really can't go wrong, rich does a great job!

Animal plastics is another great company. They have a ton of options at affordable prices. The only thing is you have to wait around 2 months to receive your order, but if you pre-plan this isn't a big deal. They are easy to put together and made well. Similar to RBI design they work well to hold humidity and heat while also providing a secure feeling for the snakes. I suggest using these if you're snake room doesn't stay at the high end of 70 or 80 deg.

Moving up to freedom breeder or ARS racks - these are serious racks for serious breeders. These will last forever with minimal Maintenance. These work best in rooms with higher ambient temps because of the open design, the lower the room temp the harder it is to maintain constant temps. That being said you can always wrap the rack to help maintain a steady temp. These are also nice because you can always add or take away levels with ease.

Thanks! That helps a lot :) I think I'm going to go with Animal Plastics T8 cages and also have racks! :D I'm really excited to start keeping snakes!!