Great enclosure idea for either first time owners or single snake owners..

First of all, I am not part of that company in any way. This popped up on a facebook group I'm part of. I have been considering and looking at their racks, but I do not own any.

Many times we have first timers come here that got a snake from the petstore and are struggling with glass setups, etc. Or the people that only have one or two snakes. Or someone that needs a quarantine setup or just "one" additional enclosure.

I think this is a great idea for all those reasons. All set up, add thermostat, done!

Like I said, I don't own any of their racks or enclosures (yet), but they do get decent reviews from what I read.

From TGR Rack Systems:
"The Single Level Rack for the small keepers.
Only have a few snakes or want just one more tub space to add to our standard racks?
Here is the solution to your needs. They come assembled with heat tape installed for belly heat and tub included. All you have to do is plug into a Tstat and its ready to use.
These are stackable with like models and our standard line of matching size tubs."


http://photos.imageevent.com/morgens.../large/4_4.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/morgens.../large/3_8.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/morgens.../large/2_7.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/morgens.../large/1_7.jpg

Hrm... I was pretty concerned about humidity and then I noticed the rails encompass the top of the tub. So check there, but what about the temperature, with that much area open the heat is probably going to end up difficult to keep up.

Not sure where the heat is on these. Because the tub isn't clear it will be hard to convince newbies to go for it (most of the decisions to house in aquariums are motivated by a desire to watch the animals). Hrm... depending on heat retention, these may be fairly decent to convince people to swap to after they have had serious difficulties

What the heck, why do I think these look cute???

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Originally Posted by Oxylepy

Hrm... I was pretty concerned about humidity and then I noticed the rails encompass the top of the tub. So check there, but what about the temperature, with that much area open the heat is probably going to end up difficult to keep up.

Not sure where the heat is on these. Because the tub isn't clear it will be hard to convince newbies to go for it (most of the decisions to house in aquariums are motivated by a desire to watch the animals). Hrm... depending on heat retention, these may be fairly decent to convince people to swap to after they have had serious difficulties

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I have been looking at these before and read where people have no problems with heat/humidity.
I think the freedom breeder racks are similar (meaning open).

The heat tape hovers right below the tub I believe, on a shelf? In my rack the heat tape sits in a "recess" so its also right below the tub, which is better then tubs sliding on the tape.
I think there is more info on their page.

Nice. Yeah, other than them not being visually appealing (which is often why people choose tanks), the price tag is nice, that alleviates any worries. A great suggestion for enclosure upgrades for people who are struggling.

Good find.

I've been thinking of building something like that.

Until we move later this year, we are out of space for more tanks in this house, but I'd like to add garters. I don't trust just latching tubs with hatchlings (I lost one that way once :tears:) because the plastic lids bend just enough, but this plan keeps everything rigid.

As for heating, a sheet of foam, with the heat tape/heat pad area cut out, would contain more heat for the tub. The rack sides could be enclosed too.

I wonder of their tubs are an exact match for a translucent Sterilite tub?...

I like the idea, but tag is too high. I also think that the tub not being clear will be an issue with new owners. For that matter it is an issue with me. I like doing quick visual checks without opening the tubs. It costs me about $10 to set up a new stand alone clear tub with heat tape including the water bowl. I use the hefty tubs with locking lids. I'm not seeing anything being able to get out of there that is not already way too big for the tub. I think $30 may be a more reasonable retail price for a setup like they are trying to sell.

I have to disagree on the price. Considering the convenience of it being pre built, the cost of a glass aquarium setup and lamps and everything else when someone gets a ball python... this is the whole enclosure, the only thing the person needs is bedding and food.

While it may be much cheaper for us to make an enclosure, look at some of the costs out there for larger enclosures, I was looking at a huge vivarium for a mangrove monitor, and it was 6000 dollars. I could easily make the whole setup for a grand or less.

Try not to look at pricetags from the viewpoint of a maker, you'll never be able to accept things like car prices, when the parts aren't even 10 grand and they are selling it for 40 grand.

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Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

I like the idea, but tag is too high. I also think that the tub not being clear will be an issue with new owners. For that matter it is an issue with me. I like doing quick visual checks without opening the tubs. It costs me about $10 to set up a new stand alone clear tub with heat tape including the water bowl. I use the hefty tubs with locking lids. I'm not seeing anything being able to get out of there that is not already way too big for the tub. I think $30 may be a more reasonable retail price for a setup like they are trying to sell.

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The tub they are using is high quality and costs a pretty penny if purchased separetly. Heat tape with cord, other materials, building it and time invested. I think $30 is a bit of a stretch..

Of course one can build something similar. I have done it for my Blood. I still had to buy a tub (sterilite) then the heat tape plus shipping. I built a surround for it, too.

Everything is cheaper DIY.

I still think that is a great option for the people that don't want to DIY and want a easy option for a enclosure such as that. Many times tubs/racks are a good choice for snakes, but people that only have 1 or 2, or need to add on to a rack don't want to buy a whole new rack.

Its a "niche" product, but it fills a need and demand. In my opinion..

I have to agree on one part, though. I like see through tubs. But I only want them see through in the front. The Racks "close off" the other sides, the "non open" racks. But I dislike tubs without surrounds that are see through. Way to exposed for a snake. Ideally I would want a open rack with tubs on tracks like this. With good quality solid tubs like this, but the front having a "window". The largest tub they offer is available with window. Wish the smaller ones, or at least the "70" one, would be too. That to me would make this perfect.

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Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

I like the idea, but tag is too high. I also think that the tub not being clear will be an issue with new owners. For that matter it is an issue with me. I like doing quick visual checks without opening the tubs. It costs me about $10 to set up a new stand alone clear tub with heat tape including the water bowl. I use the hefty tubs with locking lids. I'm not seeing anything being able to get out of there that is not already way too big for the tub. I think $30 may be a more reasonable retail price for a setup like they are trying to sell.

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Agree, if it MUST be a tub, I prefer a clear tub. The Hefty tubs are stiff, but the only ones sold near me are a dark smoky tint. I wish I could find a locally sold rigid latching tub that is also clear, w/o the tint.

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Originally Posted by distaff

Agree, if it MUST be a tub, I prefer a clear tub. The Hefty tubs are stiff, but the only ones sold near me are a dark smoky tint. I wish I could find a locally sold rigid latching tub that is also clear, w/o the tint.

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I get mine at Target. I wait for a sale then load up because they go out of stock often. I imagine you can get them online.

Their website states that there is a "semi-clear" tub option...

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Originally Posted by vikingr

Their website states that there is a "semi-clear" tub option...

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Hm. That makes it more interesting to me.

What I need, is a hatchling rack. I'm looking at Boaphile, AP, CCerpents, etc. And I came across the company that makes those singles. I like the idea of the tubs sitting on tracks. Many times Racks will distort over time and tubs either slide difficult or get a gap on top. I also like the idea of "floating" heat tape that doesn't actually touch the tub, and doesn't have the tub sliding on it. That to me is absolutely necessary. In regular rack I want a recess for the tape to sit in. I never want a tub sliding back and forth on the tape..

For a single snake owner, it would be really great to see the system be able to grow with the snake by being able to accommodate multiple sizes of tubs in the same rack. That is, it would be nice to buy say a 70 sized rack that comes with 20/40/70 tubs (selectable by the buyer) and swap in bigger ones as your snake grows instead of having to repurchase the rack part multiple times. But, their tubs vary in height slightly which messes with this. 20=5", 40=5.5", 70=5.25".

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Originally Posted by vikingr

Their website states that there is a "semi-clear" tub option...

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That would probably be an accurate way of saying it. It is not glass clear but you can still see fine. If you look in the left top corner of the pic you can get an idea of how clear the tubs are.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...6firstegg1.jpg

Thanks zina10 for the tip. I just purchased a single FB20 this evening. They have a 10% off coupon code on the home page.