Starting with a rack set up?

Hey everyone, I've been wanting to get a ball python for a few years now, and my mom is finally okay with it. I've been doing quite a bit of research over the past 2 months and I've noticed most people on the forums use a rack set up. I'm looking to get 1, or maybe 2 BP's to start off with. Would it be worth it to build a rack system, now or wait til I have a few more snakes. I'm leaning towards a rack set up, because it will be cheaper to start off in a rack, than to have 2 enclosures with heat mats and separate thermostats. Thoughts?

Thanks

I wouldn't bother building a rack for two., unless you're really sure that you're going to have more. They can be space saving, though so if that's a consideration getting something set up would still be worth it.

And I don't use separate thermostats on my two tubs. I have the thermostat plugged into the wall and a powerbar plugged into the T-stat with the mats plugged into it. As long as the mats or heat tape are exactly the same that works fine.

For now, I'd just use tubs and plug them into the same thermostat as posted above. I didn't build my first rack until I had over 10 snakes... I stacked tubs for a long time.

lol Yes get a rack! You know you're going to get more than just two. ;) Just keep in mind that when you use racks or tubs, you have to heat the room for ambient temp as well as a hot spot (or just have the whole room heated to around 85 and you don't need a hotspot). If you can't heat the room an animal plastic T8 divided in half is a good way to go for two snakes. I have two of those with radiant heat panels on either side of the divider.

I'm pretty sure I'll want more. My cousin has a few so ive been around them, and theyre amazing! I read that the heat mats can run at different temps so each should have its own probe/thermostat

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Don't Kidd yourself. Two will turn into ten. And you have someone close by with the same interest. Yes go ahead and build a rack. You will be glad you did. Welcome to the addiction. I come to the forum for therapy almost everyday and I still cannot stop collecting B.P.'s:D

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Originally Posted by Marrissa

lol Yes get a rack! You know you're going to get more than just two. ;) Just keep in mind that when you use racks or tubs, you have to heat the room for ambient temp as well as a hot spot (or just have the whole room heated to around 85 and you don't need a hotspot). If you can't heat the room an animal plastic T8 divided in half is a good way to go for two snakes. I have two of those with radiant heat panels on either side of the divider.

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Why would I need to heat the room as well?

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Originally Posted by Steezy B

Why would I need to heat the room as well?

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Temperature in the cool side of the tub will be essentially the same as the room. So, for us folks who get cold winters, that means keeping the rack in a room with the door closed and a space heater running so the room stays around 75*F while the rest of the house can be an energy-saving 65*F.

Another vote for rack, I went from one BP to a rack-full in just over a year.

I live in southern california so I dont think that will be an issue. If it does ill just turn on the heater :)

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Yeah. The only other real alternative is to use two heatmats and t-stats on each enclosure so the 'cool' side is also warm enough. Space heater and a closed door is easier. That said, I am far enough south that I pretty much anticipate turning the heatmats off all together in another month or two.

5 tub rack :gj:

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

5 tub rack :gj:

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This is exactly what I was thinking! I want to use the plastic shelfing from home depot (HDX 5-Shelf). My only concern is insulating it somehow since the sides and back will be exposed. Any suggestions?

I have a couple side questions to rack or non-rack system. I am getting ready to build my own rack and I see most people use "heat tape". I've gone to every local pet store and hardware stores in town and no one has them. Ive looked online and I've found ppl that sell it by the foot and comes in 3, 4, 11, and 12 inches wide. What width do most ppl use on their racks? Do you run one stripe of heat tape throughout the entire rack, or start a new one for each row? This is the first time building a rack little alone I've never seen a home made on before. Are there any tips or tricks to make it more efficient and easy to build? Any idea are greatly appreciated! Thanks

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Originally Posted by Steezy B

My only concern is insulating it somehow since the sides and back will be exposed. Any suggestions?

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On the "cheap" you can get a 4x8 sheet of blue board foam :gj:

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Originally Posted by Snakes_on_a-Plane

I have a couple side questions to rack or non-rack system. I am getting ready to build my own rack and I see most people use "heat tape". I've gone to every local pet store and hardware stores in town and no one has them. Ive looked online and I've found ppl that sell it by the foot and comes in 3, 4, 11, and 12 inches wide.
http://www.reptilebasics.com/heat-tape

What width do most ppl use on their racks?
Depends on the size of the tubs in the rack

Do you run one stripe of heat tape throughout the entire rack, or start a new one for each row?
Depends on the design of the rack and your skill. I prefer to use a piece for each shelf incase one quits working I just have to remove the back of the rack and solder in a new piece.

This is the first time building a rack little alone I've never seen a home made on before. Are there any tips or tricks to make it more efficient and easy to build? Any idea are greatly appreciated! Thanks
Make sure you measure twice and then a third time to be sure before you cut.

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Get a rack or use tubs multiple tanks equal less snakes save room and money for more snakes !!!!! I got my first bp a few months ago now I have 4 bps 2 boas and 1 king. Me and my mom are starting a breeding company currently building racks and I got a full fridge for free so making an incubator. Next step is getting the 15 females we plan to start with and 7 males. We want to start small but we plan to build a successful business . its great because it's my biggest enjoyment being with snakes

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Was trying to edit hope it came out right


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Originally Posted by Snakes_on_a-Plane

I have a couple side questions to rack or non-rack system. I am getting ready to build my own rack and I see most people use "heat tape". I've gone to every local pet store and hardware stores in town and no one has them. Ive looked online and I've found ppl that sell it by the foot and comes in 3, 4, 11, and 12 inches wide. What width do most ppl use on their racks? Do you run one stripe of heat tape throughout the entire rack, or start a new one for each row? This is the first time building a rack little alone I've never seen a home made on before. Are there any tips or tricks to make it more efficient and easy to build? Any idea are greatly appreciated! Thanks

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For heat tape width, it depends on the size of the tub. Most people recommend between 1/4 to 1/2 the width of your tub. I use 6" for my hot spot and am ordering 12" to bump up the temps on the cool side, since my room's ambient temps are not very consistent (they dropped to 72 the other night and I just about had a heart attack). Some people run one big strip of tape through the whole rack, but I like having individual pieces in case of failures or problems with a single level of the rack. Check out the DIY and Caging forums, they're really helpful for building your own rack. There is a bit of a learning curve, but once you've started its a pretty rewarding process. :) I got super frustrated with mine because it was my first DIY type project ever, but looking back it was totally worth it. Like others have said: Measure twice, cut once. Double check everything! Best of luck to you!

If you use the Home Depot racks and if you are planning to glue board onto the bottom of the shelves, make sure you use brand name Liquid Nails, and be generous with the application of it. I used some sort of off-brand Liquid Nails and had the very unfortunate experience of the board coming unglued all over my rack system. It is a lot of work to disassemble the entire thing and re-glue all the boards, especially when it happens after the snakes have been living in there, so make sure to do it very carefully the first time!