RBI vs Herp Enclosures

I'm in the market for a 4 tub 32qt rack. I've narrowed it down to these two companies. Can I go wrong with either? Both work out to about the same price (Herp Enclosure rack is on sale for $247 shipped with tubs while RBI is $255 with tubs, both with belly heat). The only real difference is RBI utilizes Iris tubs while HE uses Sterlite tubs.

I have a HerpEnclosures Rack from his Elite line and I love it. I'm also considering purchasing a Reptile Basic's rack as well. I believe you'd be happy with either one.

I have a Herp Enclosures rack and am very happy with it! I wouldn't hesitate it buying from RBI either. tough call.....

These are the kinds of responses I was looking for! I just wish either company offered a rack in white.

I'm probably going to go with RBI. They ship almost immediately so the wait shouldn't be too unbearable.

Anyone have any experience with Animal Plastics?

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Originally Posted by Tainted Glory

Anyone have any experience with Animal Plastics?

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I just barely ordered an 18 Tub CB-70 rack from Animal Plastics, when speaking with them they were very helpful and nice. I even had to call two more times to change the order a bit, using flexwatt instead of heat cable and also to add the pins. Both times it was nothing but nice and helpful, and both times no extra charge. Was refreshing to deal with Mark and Danny.

I have Animal Plastics, Herp Enclosures and RB. I am pleased wtih all of them. All offer great customer service and the racks arrived on time and easy to put together. I can't say the same with Boaphile . . . even though I do like the juvi rack I got from them.

We have a Reptile Basics rack. It's the 8 tub juvi rack that uses Iris tubs and I just flat out adore this rack. It keeps temps beautifully, the snakes settled right in and never broke stride in feeding when moved into it and I'm a huge Iris tub fan. You can't beat Iris for tubs as far as I'm concerned. I love the pins that come with this rack. The snakes can't nudge their tubs forward and I use the pins to indicate whose got a prey in with them and whose finished up eating that night (suggested by Rich and it's a great visual aid when feeding multiple snakes).

No contest. I like good customer service and quality products! RBI gets my vote and my business. Not to say that Herpenclosures doesn't make a good product, but the other part...

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

I love the pins that come with this rack. The snakes can't nudge their tubs forward and I use the pins to indicate whose got a prey in with them and whose finished up eating that night (suggested by Rich and it's a great visual aid when feeding multiple snakes).

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HerpEnclosures also has the pins as well, and that's exactly what I do too!

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Originally Posted by jglass38

No contest. I like good customer service and quality products! RBI gets my vote and my business. Not to say that Herpenclosures doesn't make a good product, but the other part...

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I've had excellent customer service from HerpEnclosures, in fact, when I ordered my rack from him, he told me that he was coming to a local show (that I was not aware of) that very weekend and could save on shipping.

I didn't order from Reptile Basics at the time, because he only offered back heat at that time. Now that he has belly heat as an option, I'm considering purchasing from him as well and will be able to do a side by side comparison.

I personally use RBI....I love the racks and the fast shipping.....Rich is a great guy.....(I have no experience with H.E.)

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Originally Posted by monk90222

I personally use RBI....I love the racks and the fast shipping.....Rich is a great guy.....(I have no experience with H.E.)

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I agree with you agreeing! Now where are the pics of those new acquisitions?

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Now where are the pics of those new acquisitions?

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yea...what he said!

:cool:

Does anyone have any inpuut on the back vs belly heat issue with RBI's racks? Rich swears by back heat for his sweaterbox racks...

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Originally Posted by CntrlF8

Does anyone have any inpuut on the back vs belly heat issue with RBI's racks? Rich swears by back heat for his sweaterbox racks...

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I have a temp controlled snake room and still prefer belly heat for sweaterbox and bigger. Spend the extra cash and get it, in my opinion.

I have 7 sweaterbox RBI racks with belly heat and 1 12 tub hatchling and a 15qt RBI rack with back heat....


I find them both to be acceptable. If you have a heated snake room (mine is a constant 83 degrees) both styles hold heat well and evenly. If you are not using ambient heat, I find that belly heat heats the tub better. Belly heat is an option on the hatchling rack or the 15 qt racks.

I use rich's racks. All of which are back heat. Now our newest facility has central heat and air so we don't use the strip heat at all anymore, but when we used the back heat we loved it. The snakes will move from front to back in the enclosure to reach their desired temperature. The back heat seems to give a more constant heat though. Through temp guns the tubs would only be about two degrees difference from front to back. Where some API racks we had with belly heat would range as much as five degrees. The only problem with the enclosures are that over time with heavier snakes in them, they will sometimes drag or rub. We have found that by using a small amount of petroleum jelly rubbed lightly on the top rim of the tub eliminates that problem. I have seen herp enclosure racks and they look to be built with heavier duty materials. But when we started looking the price was what sold us on rich's product. we are very satisfied and still continue to purchase racks from rich today. I hope this will help you in your decision.
Allen Belcher
Big Daddy's Wholesale 706-615-4772