Looking to build a 3 tub rack for three adult ball pythons

Hey everyone, I am wanting to make a three tub rack for three ball pythons. I have one adult female and in march i am going to be getting a banana and a Lemonblast. (ive always wanted to make bps that have both pinstripe and banana). So my question is, what size of tubs/rack would i need to make, and how to heat it, and what kind of thermostat to go with it???? Any and all help would be awesome, cheaper the plans the better they are! thanks!

41q made from melamine, heated with flexwatt on a Herpstat EZ 1 :D

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Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

41q made from melamine, heated with flexwatt on a Herpstat EZ 1 :D

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what thickness of melamine? 1/2" or 3/4"? also, don't i need a thermostat that can take three readings since i have three tanks??? also, how much flexwatt would i need ?

0.5" melamine to avoid warping and provide security/sturdiness, but i'm looking into PVC instead of melamine. same thickness though.

you should use heat tape, and it should be one continuous strip to be controlled by 1 thermostat.

I'd say the 1/2 would be fine and if you wire the flexwatt through each other/weave it through the shelves it can be run through one thermostat. Much more cost effective to use one good one instead of three cheap ones.

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

0.5" melamine to avoid warping, but i'm looking into PVC instead of melamine. same thickness though.

you should use heat tape, and it should be one continuous strip to be controlled by 1 thermostat.

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Do you have some pictures or something? i'm having a hard time seeing how you'd use one strip for three tubs??? Thanks for all your help! Is PVC similar price to melamine? i still have some melamine left over from the 6 foot tank i made for my retic.

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Originally Posted by dylan815

Do you have some pictures or something? i'm having a hard time seeing how you'd use one strip for three tubs??? Thanks for all your help! Is PVC similar price to melamine? i still have some melamine left over from the 6 foot tank i made for my retic.

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PVC is much more expensive, but a lighter material (which is why i'm thinking of going PVC over melamine).

i can post photos/video of my rack's heat tape when i'm home. basically there's a hole cut out on the edge of each self so the heat tape can be fed through to the shelves below. my heat tape is weaved in an "S" shape through my three shelves.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ake-Rack-Build
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ake-Rack-Build
These show the wireing through each other(Dont remember what its called)
https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1...I1c/edit?pli=1
Tried to make a doodle of the weaving method...

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

PVC is much more expensive, but a lighter material (which is why i'm thinking of going PVC over melamine).

i can post photos/video of my rack's heat tape when i'm home. basically there's a hole cut out on the edge of each self so the heat tape can be fed through to the shelves below. my heat tape is weaved in an "S" shape through my three shelves.

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That would be awesome tttaylorrr! Thanks for all your help.

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Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1...I1c/edit?pli=1
Tried to make a doodle of the weaving method...

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you need to grant us permission to see the file. go into the file's privacy settings to change it. :)

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1...it?usp=sharing
Does this work?

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Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1...it?usp=sharing
Does this work?

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perfect!

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Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ake-Rack-Build
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ake-Rack-Build
These show the wireing through each other(Dont remember what its called)
https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1...I1c/edit?pli=1
Tried to make a doodle of the weaving method...

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The drawing helped! I get the winding back and forth now. tayyylorrr If you could still post some pics/vids of your stuff it would still be much appreciated.

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Originally Posted by dylan815

The drawing helped! I get the winding back and forth now. tayyylorrr If you could still post some pics/vids of your stuff it would still be much appreciated.

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will do!!!
(bonus Coffee Bean feeding video will be included :P)

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

will do!!!
(bonus coffee bean feeding video will be included :p)

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yay :)

Glad it helped! This is a FAQ from Reptile Basics about heat tape that may help also
http://www.reptilebasics.com/heattape-faq

After a ton research, I decided to definitely NOT use melamine. It is weak, and prone to warping or easily damaged.
its expensive, but I went with THICK ¾” OAK plywood, water-proofed with primer and deck paint.
build it right the first time, the last time. ;)

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...e-Breeder-Rack

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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

After a ton research, I decided to definitely NOT use melamine. It is weak, and prone to warping or easily damaged.
its expensive, but I went with THICK ¾” OAK plywood, water-proofed with primer and deck paint.
build it right the first time, the last time. ;)

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...e-Breeder-Rack

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How does the rest of it look like?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

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Originally Posted by dylan815

yay :)

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Heat tape layout explained:
https://streamable.com/dbpbp

BONUS Coffee Bean feeding:
https://streamable.com/d2vt7

my explanation video isn't the best so please let me know if you have any more questions!!!

I am drawing up plans right now for the rack, I will post a final plan before i start so you guys can point out any mistakes or things you think i should change. I am thinking that i will only make the shelves of the rack PVC and then the sides and the back will be painted plywood. That way I can make it for cheaper. What size of heat tape and how much do you guys think i need? and whats your favorite cheapest thermostat that would work well for this? Thanks!

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Originally Posted by dylan815

I am thinking that i will only make the shelves of the rack PVC and then the sides and the back will be painted plywood. That way I can make it for cheaper.

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this is an interesting idea!

i'm currently drawing up plans for a 6-shelf rack. i'm going to be starting my own thread about it basically asking the same things you are lol. i wish i could answer your other questions but i'm curious myself. :)

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

this is an interesting idea!

i'm currently drawing up plans for a 6-shelf rack. i'm going to be starting my own thread about it basically asking the same things you are lol. i wish i could answer your other questions but i'm curious myself. :)

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I guess i feel like only the tops need to be water proof. I think that the back and sides won't come into contact with the Humidity like the top and bottom of the shelves. But wait, whats the smallest size PVC panel that you can buy? If it's 8ft by 4ft i could make a 5 snake rack with one piece of PVC using 41Q rubbermaids. What do you think of these tubs for this project?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite...TDGCFh_KdWUWHA

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Originally Posted by dylan815

I guess i feel like only the tops need to be water proof. I think that the back and sides won't come into contact with the Humidity like the top and bottom of the shelves. But wait, whats the smallest size PVC panel that you can buy? If it's 8ft by 4ft i could make a 5 snake rack with one piece of PVC using 41Q rubbermaids. What do you think of these tubs for this project?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite...TDGCFh_KdWUWHA

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those are a nice size. my current design is based off of IRIS CB-70 tubs like AP racks. i'm about to post my thread.

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

those are a nice size. my current design is based off of IRIS CB-70 tubs like AP racks. i'm about to post my thread.

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Where do you think i should buy my heat tape for the rack and how do you figure out just how much you need?

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Originally Posted by dylan815

Where do you think i should buy my heat tape for the rack and how do you figure out just how much you need?

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i wish i knew an answer lol. i would appreciate some insight on this from someone with experience as well!

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

i wish i knew an answer lol. i would appreciate some insight on this from someone with experience as well!

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I guess were in the same boat now haha :)

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Originally Posted by dylan815

I guess were in the same boat now haha :)

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my guess at least for how much to get would be just doing basic math. my shelves are 6.25 in. tall and 19.25 in. wide: i would need enough heat tape to cover the bottom of the shelves as well as going up the sides into the next shelf.

19.25 in. (width of shelf the heat tape must cover) x 6 (number of shelves) = 115.5 in.

6.25 in. (height of shelves) x 6 (amount of times the heat tape will be taped to the sides) = 37.5 in.

115.5 in. + 37.5 in. = 153 in.
i will need at least 153 in. of heat tape to cover all the area i need to. :)

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

my guess at least for how much to get would be just doing basic math. my shelves are 6.25 in. tall and 19.25 in. wide: i would need enough heat tape to cover the bottom of the shelves as well as going up the sides into the next shelf.

19.25 in. (width of shelf the heat tape must cover) x 6 (number of shelves) = 115.5 in.

6.25 in. (height of shelves) x 6 (amount of times the heat tape will be taped to the sides) = 37.5 in.

115.5 in. + 37.5 in. = 153 in.
i will need at least 153 in. of heat tape to cover all the area i need to. :)

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sorry, another question for ya taylor :/ Do you have to cut a groove for the heat tape also, how do you cut it in PVC, use a router bit???? I mean, it really should be fine comming into contact with the bottom of the rubbermaid containers, right?

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Originally Posted by dylan815

sorry, another question for ya taylor :/ Do you have to cut a groove for the heat tape also, how do you cut it in PVC, use a router bit???? I mean, it really should be fine comming into contact with the bottom of the rubbermaid containers, right?

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ask away!

no, the heat tape should not be able to touch the tub (TBH i'm not sure why, but i've always read that they can't touch each other). the rack i just got has a ~0.25" x (however wide the heat tape is) groove cut into the bottom so the tubs just slide over the groove over the heat tape.

i haven't figured out how i'm going to cut the groove yet. my father is a carpenter so i'll have to ask him and see if he has any ideas on how to do it.

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

ask away!

no, the heat tape should not be able to touch the tub (TBH i'm not sure why, but i've always read that they can't touch each other). the rack i just got has a ~0.25" x (however wide the heat tape is) groove cut into the bottom so the tubs just slide over the groove over the heat tape.

i haven't figured out how i'm going to cut the groove yet. my father is a carpenter so i'll have to ask him and see if he has any ideas on how to do it.

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It looks like it is possible to use a router on PVC sheets. Now the question is, how wide of heat tape do I need to buy? I know i can use a plunge router to route out the track in my shelves for the tape.... But how wide?

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Originally Posted by dylan815

It looks like it is possible to use a router on PVC sheets. Now the question is, how wide of heat tape do I need to buy? I know i can use a plunge router to route out the track in my shelves for the tape.... But how wide?

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i was thinking of going with 6" since this is for adults. my 28qt rack heat tape is maybe 3 or 4 inches wide, i don't know its exact width.

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

i was thinking of going with 6" since this is for adults. my 28qt rack heat tape is maybe 3 or 4 inches wide, i don't know its exact width.

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http://www.reptilebasics.com/heat-tape/6-heat-tape/ is this what your talking about???? This stuff is way cheaper than i thought it would be! I'm going to need 7.6 feet for my rack, but ill problelby get more like 9 or 10 feet incase i mess something up!!!

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Originally Posted by dylan815

http://www.reptilebasics.com/heat-tape/6-heat-tape/ is this what your talking about???? This stuff is way cheaper than i thought it would be! I'm going to need 7.6 feet for my rack, but ill problelby get more like 9 or 10 feet incase i mess something up!!!

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yup! i'm going to get 13 or 14 ft.

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

yup! i'm going to get 13 or 14 ft.

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Awesome, I will finish drawing my plans and ill upload them onto here later tonight before i order supplies. :)
What other hardware do i need to hook up the heat tape, i know i need a thermostat, but what kind of plug in/connections do you use?

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Originally Posted by dylan815

Awesome, I will finish drawing my plans and ill upload them onto here later tonight before i order supplies. :)
What other hardware do i need to hook up the heat tape, i know i need a thermostat, but what kind of plug in/connections do you use?

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from RBI you can order the stuff you need to make the connections or they can do it for you for a fee. i plan on having them do it for me.

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

from RBI you can order the stuff you need to make the connections or they can do it for you for a fee. i plan on having them do it for me.

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Thank you, that answers my question perfectly.

Today i went down to menards to order a big piece of PVC board. Well, they no longer sell them and say that they have been discontinued. :( so now i have to find somewhere else to buy it :( Any suggestions?

I've been looking and i can't find 3/4 inch PVC board anywhere. What should I do?