Should I get a Rack?

I went to the Michigan show today and saw some great looking snakes! Unfortunately/fortunately, depending how you look at it, I didn't end up getting anything. I want to get only one more. :D

Should I go ahead and get a rack? My bp is currently in a tank and doing fine. I wouldn't feel comfortable moving him to a tub without the insulation of rack.

I'm not really handy and since I don't have my own tools, I would be better off buying one instead of making one.

How big is the one you have and how big of one you want to get?
I don't know how other people feel about this, but there's quite a large selection of sterilite drawers/drawer sets on top of the tubs most people use, and are also still super cheap. (though you might want to put some kind of lock on it!)

So how do you guys with experience feel about one of those drawers? To me it seems like it would work as long as the enclosure is big enough for the snake it's housing. And it should be a good, cheap, short-term rack alternative until you've got enough snake (intentional) to warrant a rack.

I have looke at those drawers/drawer sets and there isn't any good way to heat them. They are pretty flimsy and there isn't any good place to put some heat tape. I have some in my closet with some clothes in them and the sides bend a little because of the weight.

I don't know my snake's weight because I don't have a scale. He is about 30 inches long and has nice thickness about him.

From the sound of your post you only have one snake???? IMO racks are lame. I guess if you are gonna be a breeder and have hundreds of snakes then tanks are not practical, but I want to be able to see my animals. I dont want them to be in a tub all there lives. Granted this is just my opinion but I would never ever get a rack system. If you are only going to have the 2 snakes them buy a nice open front tank(door on front) and stack them both. Much nicer than some rubbermaid tubs. Like I said just my opinion and I dont mean to sound like im attacking people with racks like I said they are practical in certain situations.

Purchase a rack with caution... it will lead you to purchase more snakes until it is full! ;)

I love my racks... most ball pythons like to hide many hours a day, and most of mine hang out in the rear end of the tub during the day and come to the front at night.

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Originally Posted by mikedahitman87

I have looke at those drawers/drawer sets and there isn't any good way to heat them. They are pretty flimsy and there isn't any good place to put some heat tape. I have some in my closet with some clothes in them and the sides bend a little because of the weight.

I don't know my snake's weight because I don't have a scale. He is about 30 inches long and has nice thickness about him.

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Please do not listen to this post

I am sorry but the thing is, how are you going to be able to heat, keep the humidity right, and keep the bp from escaping one of those things

Just forwarning you to not read the first reply to your thread and listen to it. Just be patient and let other people tell you what they have experianced and worked best with.

scratch that reply i just said




holy crap, i need some sleep:confused:

I have 13 royal pythons and have 4 racks and 4 reptile cages; all from Rich at RBI. I have my three girls that will breed next season in the cages because they are larger and they like to cruise around at night. Notice I said at night. With the lights out. Yeah, I pretty much see the pythons in the cages as much as I see the pythons in the tubs: when I take them out to be a bother on their reality! lol!! :P

Really, I have never had a tank, but the tubs and the cages are both super easy to maintain temps and humidity in. I have 2 boas (actually one boa and one boa coming) in 2 more cages that 2 more royals will go into when the boas outgrow them (less than a year, I reckon!) I'm looking to get one more boa, meaning one more cage for one more girl. :D

So, to your question of "Should you..." Should is a pretty dysfunctional word in this scenario. Do you want to? This is the only question. If you are thinking that the tank is becoming a pain in the rear, and still want the look of a viv, please consider a reptile cage at any of the really good vendors: Reptile Basics, Animal Plastics, ummmm, I know there are more.... brain burp- sorry! :rolleyes:

If you cant or dont want to build your own. Here are some nice racks. I have herd nothing but good things about them. I dont own any of them. I have bought from the site before great service and fast shipping.
http://www.reptilebasics.com/Iris-CB...k-p-16183.html

Racks are the way to go. You can control the temperature easily, and as described above balls like to hide so the tubs work great. Easy to clean and don't take up much space.

Thanks everyone for the input, I really appreciate it. I plan on getting a female spider or pastel. So that would make to bp in my collection. I think I will be getting a rack for these two reasons:
1. A four slot rack would take up less room than two tanks. Even if I only get one more, I will save on space.
2. My bp does hide all day except on feeding day anyway.

I don't mind cleaning a second tank but two tanks would take up two much space.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by atp151415

Please do not listen to this post

I am sorry but the thing is, how are you going to be able to heat, keep the humidity right, and keep the bp from escaping one of those things

Just forwarning you to not read the first reply to your thread and listen to it. Just be patient and let other people tell you what they have experianced and worked best with.

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I still don't understand though in what way it would be different from a rack. I would heat from the back, like lots of people do with a rack, the humidity should stay up just from it being an enclosed plastic tub, like with the rack, and I have to wonder how you keep the snakes from escaping in a rack if you couldn't do it in a pre-fab drawer?
I don't mind people saying I'm wrong, but I already came in saying that though I don't know, it seems like something that should work to me.
Maybe I should start putting my more creative questions in advanced husbandry because it seems like every time I ask about something that isn't the established way to do it, I get jumped all over.

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Originally Posted by mikedahitman87

Thanks everyone for the input, I really appreciate it. I plan on getting a female spider or pastel. So that would make to bp in my collection. I think I will be getting a rack for these two reasons:
1. A four slot rack would take up less room than two tanks. Even if I only get one more, I will save on space.
2. My bp does hide all day except on feeding day anyway.

I don't mind cleaning a second tank but two tanks would take up two much space.

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Just to throw in a wrench: from RBI, the tanks stack three high and so do not take up more room than an RBI rack- okay, fine, maybe a wee bit longer :P but really no big deal. Females get larger than males (typically) so when they are nearing breeding age, the tub size you'll need will equal the space of three cages stacked. Also, one Helix controls all three cages. Also, heat/humidity regulation is no prob in these cages- I even use paper substrate and have no problems holding humidity. Just sayin.....!!!

Starmom, have you posted any pics of your RBI cages? I have RBI racks and thinking about getting a cage sometime...

Hey Diana, I'll get a picture up in a bit. Right now, I have to get my kid to the store for a pair of sneakers and then I'll do it. I've been down for a few days with the flu and so am running a bit behind!

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Originally Posted by starmom

Just to throw in a wrench: from RBI, the tanks stack three high and so do not take up more room than an RBI rack- okay, fine, maybe a wee bit longer :P but really no big deal. Females get larger than males (typically) so when they are nearing breeding age, the tub size you'll need will equal the space of three cages stacked. Also, one Helix controls all three cages. Also, heat/humidity regulation is no prob in these cages- I even use paper substrate and have no problems holding humidity. Just sayin.....!!!

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I checked out those cages. . . pretty good. I could get one of the mini cages now as they have about the same floor space as a 32 qt tub. I would put the new female in the tank that the male is currently in (it is 30"Lx18"Wx13"H). Move the male to the new RBI cage. That saves me about $100 I could use toward the snake and everyone would have enough room for the rest of their lives. Sound like a plan. :banana:

Here you go Diana~
These are all 2'x3'x12" RBI cages. All have belly heat and three can be stacked and controlled with one t'stat:
Here's my boa stack which will be added to my royals when the boas outgrow them:
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...0/DSCN5511.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...0/DSCN5509.jpg

Here's my stack for the '06 royals:
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...0/DSCN5512.jpg

I can't say enough good things about these cages. Rich does a great job and Frank, his employee, makes those awesome hides! Kudos to RBI :gj:

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Originally Posted by starmom

Here you go Diana~
These are all 2'x3'x12" RBI cages. All have belly heat and three can be stacked and controlled with one t'stat:
Here's my boa stack which will be added to my royals when the boas outgrow them:
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...0/DSCN5511.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...0/DSCN5509.jpg

Here's my stack for the '06 royals:
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...0/DSCN5512.jpg

I can't say enough good things about these cages. Rich does a great job and Frank, his employee, makes those awesome hides! Kudos to RBI :gj:

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which hides are those for the '06s? my little fatty is going to outgrow hers soon

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Originally Posted by Rapture

Purchase a rack with caution... it will lead you to purchase more snakes until it is full! ;)

I love my racks... most ball pythons like to hide many hours a day, and most of mine hang out in the rear end of the tub during the day and come to the front at night.

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isn't that the truth... why have empty spaces??? it makes it where you can have much more room for a very addicting hobby I love my rack I recently bought from Diana and will be adding at least one more very soon to get rid of tanks and tubs all over my houseand its sooo much easier and did I say how much easier!!!!:):)

I plan on building a rack this summer, not only for future breeding, but also to save space. It will be a cool project for a day as well.