Building a ball python rack

After searching far and wide for pvc board to use for my 4 snake rack, I ended up having to use melamine. Today I cut all my pieces and now I am going to router a groove for the heat tape and assemble. I’ll post more pictures as it progresses. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4e3cc4862a.jpg

Interested too see how that turns out

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Originally Posted by MD_Pythons

Interested too see how that turns out

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I think it’s going to turn out well. I have all my pieces cut and am now waiting for my heat tape and thermostat. Then assemble it all and we’re good to go! :)


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I feel for you..
I cant wait to afford the XPVC to replace all of mine, they are so heavy.
FYI.... Put wheels on it.

Me heat tape arrived today! I think I got 4 extra feet of it [emoji23][emoji23] can you cut it to size with scissors??? Thanks! https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a152124ee5.jpg


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Originally Posted by dylan815

Me heat tape arrived today! I think I got 4 extra feet of it [emoji23][emoji23] can you cut it to size with scissors??? Thanks!

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yes, cut the clear parts and avoid the black. :)

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

yes, cut the clear parts and avoid the black. :)

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Thanks as always!


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as i am sitting here looking at how thin the heat tape actually is i don't think using a router to make a groove will work. Its like 1/16 of an inch thick. Also, my tubs have a bulge around the outside of the bottom of the tank, about 1/2 wide all around. Do you guys think that this 1/2 touching the heat tape directly on each side would be alright? if it would that would leave a very nice 1/4 inch air gap across the width of the tub to vent. What do you all think? think this will work? also, is there any kind of tape or something i could put on heat tape for the tub to slide on? I feel like the 1/2 of the tub on each side will eventually wear down the tape. thanks!

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Originally Posted by dylan815

as i am sitting here looking at how thin the heat tape actually is i don't think using a router to make a groove will work. Its like 1/16 of an inch thick.

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i think a groove for the heat tape is alot of extra work for a DIY rack. the groove would be really shallow and u would probably need to build a jig for consistent depth. this is not something i would freehand. i guess u can use dado blades on a table saw as well (but i'm not sure how effective they are at that shallow depth).

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Originally Posted by dylan815

Also, my tubs have a bulge around the outside of the bottom of the tank, about 1/2 wide all around. Do you guys think that this 1/2 touching the heat tape directly on each side would be alright? if it would that would leave a very nice 1/4 inch air gap across the width of the tub to vent. What do you all think? think this will work?

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that's fine. just as long as u can reach your optimum temps.

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Originally Posted by dylan815

also, is there any kind of tape or something i could put on heat tape for the tub to slide on? I feel like the 1/2 of the tub on each side will eventually wear down the tape. thanks!

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just use foil tape: https://www.lowes.com/pd/3M-1-88-in-...C-Tape/4009603 just tape down the sides of the heat tape over the copper part and u should be able to push and pull your tubs in and out seamlessly.

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Originally Posted by Ax01

i think a groove for the heat tape is alot of extra work for a DIY rack. the groove would be really shallow and u would probably need to build a jig for consistent depth. this is not something i would freehand. i guess u can use dado blades on a table saw as well (but i'm not sure how effective they are at that shallow depth).


that's fine. just as long as u can reach your optimum temps.


just use foil tape: https://www.lowes.com/pd/3M-1-88-in-...C-Tape/4009603 just tape down the sides of the heat tape over the copper part and u should be able to push and pull your tubs in and out seamlessly.

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Thank you. I didn’t realize how thin the heat tape was untill it arrived. You answered all my questions. Thanks again!


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Finiszhed the new rack today! I used some thin pieces of metal to get the spacing just right so the tubs and slide in and out. I used a router to cut the sides so the heat tape will fit through. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5f59bc010b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b46200f3a2.jpg metal spacers for wiggle room
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...213f4f1c3b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...44ec91157b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...15db68cad8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...bedb586634.jpg


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Very nice

Nice! What will you fill it up with?

Also what were the measurements you used?

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Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

Also what were the measurements you used?

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I am going to be filling it with $1500 worth of ball pythons to breed in the comming Years. For the measurements I just took the Rubbermaid containers measurements and made the actual rack slightly larger than the tubs.


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Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

Also what were the measurements you used?

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They are roughly 18” wife 36” deep and right about 6” tall for each pocket.


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