My rack idea, comments?

I plan on making a 6 tub rack for my ball pythons (28 qt), as far as a heat source I was going to line the sides with heat tape, will this be enough heat? Or should I put it under the tubs?

You can put it on the sides, but your snakes are definitely going to need belly heat. Heat tape is very inexpensive and it goes by the foot, so for 6 tubs it would probably be less than $20. But make sure you have belly heat on your snakes.

I back heat my racks without issue

I use belly heat on my racks.

Belly heat it is! Thanks guys. Also, does it matter if the tubs get super humid? I noticed mine do

Also, is back heat what I was referring to in my original post?

I'd like to do whatever would work best with not regulating the tape. Right now I have rocks in the tub above the heat tape so it's not too hot

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Originally Posted by f22raptor95

Also, is back heat what I was referring to in my original post?

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Yes

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Originally Posted by f22raptor95

I'd like to do whatever would work best with not regulating the tape. Right now I have rocks in the tub above the heat tape so it's not too hot

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I don't recommend using unregulated heat tape in any way, shape or form. If you don't want to get a thermostat your best option for a rack build would be something like the ultratherm pads. They produce heat but stay cool enough to be used without a stat. I've used them on stand alone tubs for years and they work great. Providing a link for you.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm-heat-pads

You really need a thermostat to regulate the heat tape, that's asking for an injured snake. The price of a thermostat is nothing compared to vet bills. Not only can it injure snakes but the tape can get extremely hot even start a fire hot so I would not risk it at all. And yes back heat is what you asked about originally.

As for the humidity drill holes in the tubs to get some airflow, add a few on each side and add as many as you need to get your humidity at a good level. Remember you can always add more holes but you can not remove them so take it easy.

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Originally Posted by Edd_138

You can put it on the sides, but your snakes are definitely going to need belly heat. Heat tape is very inexpensive and it goes by the foot, so for 6 tubs it would probably be less than $20. But make sure you have belly heat on your snakes.

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may I ask why they need belly heat? I have found that not to be true at all.

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Originally Posted by f22raptor95

Belly heat it is! Thanks guys. Also, does it matter if the tubs get super humid? I noticed mine do

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As long as no mold grows

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Originally Posted by f22raptor95

Also, is back heat what I was referring to in my original post?

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yes

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Originally Posted by f22raptor95

I'd like to do whatever would work best with not regulating the tape. Right now I have rocks in the tub above the heat tape so it's not too hot

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There nothing that could be considered safe at all without regulation. Get a thermostat to make life easy.

I'll put a dimmer on then, I figured if used as back heat though I wouldn't need to regulate since it wouldn't be directly on them?

a major consideration should be ambient temp room. you will benefit from more direct (read belly) heat if your rack is in a cooler room.

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Originally Posted by chrisv

a major consideration should be ambient temp room. you will benefit from more direct (read belly) heat if your rack is in a cooler room.

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How so?

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Originally Posted by f22raptor95

I'll put a dimmer on then, I figured if used as back heat though I wouldn't need to regulate since it wouldn't be directly on them?

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Snake safety isn't the only reason you regulate heat tape. Human safety is just as important. :)

[QUOTE=OhhWatALoser;2315063]may I ask why they need belly heat? I have found that not to be true at all.

I understand everyone has their preferences but mine is to do belly heat. And with my bps after a meal alot were getting bloated after meals like really big. I took one to Prehistoric and they told me that he needed belly heat. So I switched from back heat to belly heat. Again not all the snakes were getting big just some. And they told me all it really was, was gas build up. Also it is alot more accurate in my opinion to regulate belly heat than back heat. But again both ways can work.

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Originally Posted by Edd_138

your snakes are definitely going to need belly heat.

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Need? I'm curious as to where they find belly heat in the wild? Mine are in a heated room. I have heat tape, but it is not in use.

Is back heat that inferior to belly heat when it comes to racks? every breeder I know uses at least a couple back heated racks. When I built mine, I set it up for belly heat but I just recently bought a rack that is equipped with back heat so Im curious to see what more experience folks have to say

I understand the need for belly heat for feeding purposes, but as I said earlier I have rocks in my tubs that act as natural heating pads (mimic a hot rock in the wild) wouldn't this be enough belly heat for them if I used the tape as back heat?

Belly heat, RHP's, or just keeping your snake room in the 80's it's all the same in the end. As for your humidity issues take a tub and use a soldering pen to melt some holes in the tub to get some ventilation going. I would do just a few to start and see if that does the trick, if you still have visible condensation on the inside of the tub try adding a few more holes till you get it where you want it. Can't say I've ever seen anyone use rocks in a tub set up before, I would think it will make spot cleaning a pain and I wouldn't be surprised if the snake just pushed them all aside anyway to lay on the floor of the tub. I have two racks that I run and heat tape is so easy and virtually worry free, just don't skimp on a thermostat to regulate it and check your temps occasionally with an IR temp gun.
Just my $.02 (or 2 shillings if you prefer) :)

Okay I'll do that then... guess I gotta lotta resoldering to do

Well, just gonna toss another opinion out here for the heck of it. I have racks that use both, some have back heat and some have belly heat. From my limited experience with racks over the last couple years, I really just don't see much difference, and it's been my thought that as long as they get the gradient they need, how you get there is less important than making sure they have the temps they need.

As far as regulating temperature, what kind of devices can I buy to hook the heat tape to, input a temperature and have the device put the heat tape to that exact temperature?

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Originally Posted by f22raptor95

As far as regulating temperature, what kind of devices can I buy to hook the heat tape to, input a temperature and have the device put the heat tape to that exact temperature?

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A thermostat! :gj:

My recommendation: http://spyderrobotics.com/home/products.html

Dang those are pretty expensive, any cheaper ones since I only have 6 bins/1 rack?

How much did you spend on your snakes? IMO, spending an additional $150 or so to keep them (and your home) safe isn't something I'd think twice about.

There are cheaper options, but they don't have the built-in safety features or reliability that the above ones I referenced do, which is why I don't personally recommend them.

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Originally Posted by f22raptor95

As far as regulating temperature, what kind of devices can I buy to hook the heat tape to, input a temperature and have the device put the heat tape to that exact temperature?

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Heat tape running wide open isnt a smart option to start with.
Remember your temperature on the tape is going to be a little lower than inside the tub so you will still need a non contact thermometer to check your tubs.
Not only are you placung a value on your reptiles but also your safety.

You are being given a lot of good advice here.
And no belly heat is not NEEDED but then again back heat isnt either if you heat your room.

Yeah very true. I spent a total of $425 on all of my snakes and $35 on 10 28qt tubs. I have a heat gun to check temps inside tubs so that's good, I just need to get the thermostat

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Originally Posted by aLittleLessButter

Is back heat that inferior to belly heat when it comes to racks? every breeder I know uses at least a couple back heated racks. When I built mine, I set it up for belly heat but I just recently bought a rack that is equipped with back heat so Im curious to see what more experience folks have to say

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Different situation might make someone favor one over the other. For example if a room is cold, you might need belly heat since you can get more surface area heated, compared to back heat. If getting your ambient temps up is not an issue, I have found back heat to be more consistent because there is no substrate on top of it ( I use cypress), just the back of the tub. Also it doesn't get worn out from a sliding a tub

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Originally Posted by f22raptor95

I understand the need for belly heat for feeding purposes, but as I said earlier I have rocks in my tubs that act as natural heating pads (mimic a hot rock in the wild) wouldn't this be enough belly heat for them if I used the tape as back heat?

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There is not a need for belly heat for feeding or digestion.

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Originally Posted by f22raptor95

Dang those are pretty expensive, any cheaper ones since I only have 6 bins/1 rack?

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While I have never used them, I made a thread asking for the cheapest thermostat: this seemed to be the cheapest one recommend by some: http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S Not that it makes it a good thermostat, its not proportional, no night drop, no mechanical safety, no other features at all pretty much, but it much better than going unregulated.

I think I'll do bellyheat since I don't have a specific room for them. As far as hides go, if they're in a rack do they really need a hide since it'll be dark in the tub?

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Originally Posted by f22raptor95

As far as hides go, if they're in a rack do they really need a hide since it'll be dark in the tub?

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Depends on the animal, most of mine don't have a hide however several use one when offered.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Depends on the animal, most of mine don't have a hide however several use one when offered.

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Pretty much this for me too. I have a few of my animals that use hides like "baby blankets". They just aren't comfortable without one and eat a heck of a lot better when I keep a hide in there for them to disappear into. Most of them, however, could care less about having a hide or not.

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Originally Posted by Eric Alan

Pretty much this for me too. I have a few of my animals that use hides like "baby blankets". They just aren't comfortable without one and eat a heck of a lot better when I keep a hide in there for them to disappear into. Most of them, however, could care less about having a hide or not.

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Maybe that's why my new females aren't eating then? There could be a million reasons I suppose haha when I bought them they were being fed lice, but I'm making an attempt to switch them to frozen for the safety of the snake. It's been about 2 weeks so far, and I've tried twice. Maybe I'll stick some hides in and try again

I have a handful of snakes that need hides, rest couldn't care. While feeding live has risks, it's not as bad as you might think, these animals have been doing it for millions of years. My suggestion would be to offer what they were eating, then after a few successful feedings try to switch after. At least they will be use to the new environment.

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Originally Posted by Eric Alan

How so?

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The logic here is that if ambient temps dip lower than you expect in a cool room, belly heat will more efficiently heat the snake itself if the tub as a whole briefly dips below where it ought to be. back/side heat wont give the snake the same warm spot. Also, I've had great luck using large-ish but quite short hides that cover the majority of the hot sot that are capable of maintaining hot hides with appropriate ambient temps even when the temp in the tub isn't ideal. Its a backup for when things dont go as planned. you wouldnt be able to put a hide over top of a hot spot generated by tape on the side or back of the tub.

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Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

Different situation might make someone favor one over the other. For example if a room is cold, you might need belly heat since you can get more surface area heated, compared to back heat. If getting your ambient temps up is not an issue, I have found back heat to be more consistent because there is no substrate on top of it ( I use cypress), just the back of the tub. Also it doesn't get worn out from a sliding.

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Ok cool. Thanks for the knowledgable response. I've never used back heat before so this will be interesting. I like that I won't have to worry about tubs rubbing on the heat tape. That's the one thing I don't like about my other rack

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Originally Posted by chrisv

The logic here is that if ambient temps dip lower than you expect in a cool room, belly heat will more efficiently heat the snake itself if the tub as a whole briefly dips below where it ought to be. back/side heat wont give the snake the same warm spot. Also, I've had great luck using large-ish but quite short hides that cover the majority of the hot sot that are capable of maintaining hot hides with appropriate ambient temps even when the temp in the tub isn't ideal. Its a backup for when things dont go as planned. you wouldnt be able to put a hide over top of a hot spot generated by tape on the side or back of the tub.

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Quite the rare chain of events to require belly heat. I could worry just as much about an unexpected rise in room temp. I'm sure my fully enclosed melamine back heat racks could hold temps better than most belly heated open ones. There too many variables to be making a blanket statement.

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Originally Posted by f22raptor95

I think I'll do bellyheat since I don't have a specific room for them. As far as hides go, if they're in a rack do they really need a hide since it'll be dark in the tub?

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Mine use them, but there are no sides or back to my racks. That helps with throwing food in there for them since they don't know which way the food will come from...although they almost always head straight to the front.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...845176240f.jpg finished product

Do you mena you use an electric heating rock? Because I thought I'd read that those were bad to use as they tend to burn snakes. Or am I wrong?

do you mean, nor mena. Editing window is passed.

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Originally Posted by f22raptor95

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...845176240f.jpg finished product

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nice. i need to make something like that, but with larger tubs

What are you using for the shelves?

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Originally Posted by Viol8r

What are you using for the shelves?

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half inch Plywood

Are you covering it in some sort of sealant to keep out moisture? After a while I would imaging those shelves would sag.

Hiya,

Thanks for the response.

I'm reusing my old program so I probably won;t get any help from my clinic.

I'm in western Australia if that helps.

No I did not but they are coated and treated on both sides. If they do sag I'll replace them with melamine

I'm curious what the sealant on the plywood is and where you got prefinished ply. Also, if you put a full back on the rack it will keep the shelves from sagging. And melamine would actually be worse than ply when it comes to sagging.

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Originally Posted by Darkbird

I'm curious what the sealant on the plywood is and where you got prefinished ply. Also, if you put a full back on the rack it will keep the shelves from sagging. And melamine would actually be worse than ply when it comes to sagging.

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My dad used to own a business and bought it for something years ago, a sheet of it is like $75 compared to a normal sheet being around $15