Is this a good design to Build a rack system?

http://images.craigslist.org/3n13kb3...d926a612f7.jpg
(image from http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/pet/1059105614.html)

I saw this on craigslist, and I really like how it looks. Is it a smart design? Also, how would I keep it heated?

So, I'm guessing you would built it tight enough so the tubs would not need a lid? that's what it looks like but I'm not sure.

And, whats the best material for building? wood?:rolleyes:

All my racks look like that. I use melamine. It looks like that's what what used in your picture, too.

That one looks like it's made from melame(sp) laminate. It's a popular building material for rack and cage systems. Heat would come from flexiwatt, either back or belly mounted, and controlled by a T-Stat.

For the money and trouble it would cost you to make one like that, you can just order one of these and have the best:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/Iris-Sw...t-p-16197.html

I have two of them, and they Rock!

EDIT: Jake types faster than I do!

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Originally Posted by Slim

That one looks like it's made from melame(sp) laminate. It's a popular building material for rack and cage systems. Heat would come from flexiwatt, either back or belly mounted, and controlled by a T-Stat.

For the money and trouble it would cost you to make one like that, you can just order one of these and have the best:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/Iris-Sw...t-p-16197.html

I have two of them, and they Rock!

EDIT: Jake types faster than I do!

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Around here you can build 7 high racks for 28 qt tubs for about $90 heated.

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Originally Posted by PythonWallace

Around here you can build 7 high racks for 28 qt tubs for about $90 heated.

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I can't nail two boards together...I'm WAY better off buying from RBI:D

Thanks!! :D

I was hoping tubs would be cheaper. I don't have $250 to spare right now. :tears:

I would wait and do it right if you couldn't afford it at the moment. Save for a few months or however long it takes that way you do it right and you'll enjoy it alot more than just throwing one together that you'll replace soon anyway because your not happy with it.

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Originally Posted by Slim

I can't nail two boards together...I'm WAY better off buying from RBI:D

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:rofl: I have to agree with this statement!!

I'm sure you could find some help to put one together. Not trying to take any business from RBI cause they make good stuff :)

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Originally Posted by Slim

For the money and trouble it would cost you to make one like that, you can just order one of these and have the best:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/Iris-Sw...t-p-16197.html

I have two of them, and they Rock!

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Slim,
Are those heavy and do you keep adult BP's in the 32qt tubs just fine? I'm looking to get a new rack system and was looking at staying with the 41qt size, but that might change :).

I found the 41qt model on the site. Digging the low profile look.

You've gotta be kidding I can build two of those 32qt racks for ($269) myself with a visit to home depot, it's not really hard to build DIY racks and the cost goes down significantly.

By the way I built a 41 qt 7 high rack for just over 100 dollars without tubs, don't remember how much the tubs costs but it wasn't 269 total not even close. Make sure to properly seal the wood it's lasted me a LONG time and no signs of wood swelling.

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Originally Posted by PythonWallace

Around here you can build 7 high racks for 28 qt tubs for about $90 heated.

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Keep in mind that the more expensive plastic racks will last pretty much forever, but the melamine ones will be damaged if they come into contact with moisture.
They're expensive because the plastic they use is much more expensive than melamine.

I tore down a year-old melamine rack a few weeks ago and the surface above the tubs was yellowed, bumpy, and not even remotely waterproof.
Moving forward I'm only going to use it on my adult BP racks, which have enough gap between the tub and the shelf above that air moves freely to reduce or stop condensation.

My Melamine boards were from Menards. Others may be better.

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Originally Posted by JeffFlanagan

Keep in mind that the more expensive plastic racks will last pretty much forever, but the melamine ones will be damaged if they come into contact with moisture.
They're expensive because the plastic they use is much more expensive than melamine.

I tore down a year-old melamine rack a few weeks ago and the surface above the tubs was yellowed, bumpy, and not even remotely waterproof.
Moving forward I'm only going to use it on my adult BP racks, which have enough gap between the tub and the shelf above that air moves freely to reduce or stop condensation.

My Melamine boards were from Menards. Others may be better.

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Did you remember to properly seal the wood? :rolleye2:

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Originally Posted by Sebrina

Did you remember to properly seal the wood?

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The melamine is supposed to be the seal. I'm not aware of any sealer that would work well on top of the melamine coating.

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Originally Posted by JeffFlanagan

Keep in mind that the more expensive plastic racks will last pretty much forever, but the melamine ones will be damaged if they come into contact with moisture.
They're expensive because the plastic they use is much more expensive than melamine.

I tore down a year-old melamine rack a few weeks ago and the surface above the tubs was yellowed, bumpy, and not even remotely waterproof.
Moving forward I'm only going to use it on my adult BP racks, which have enough gap between the tub and the shelf above that air moves freely to reduce or stop condensation.

My Melamine boards were from Menards. Others may be better.

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That's true, and plastic is a lot lighter than melamine, too. For the price though, I like the melamine racks. On all future racks I'm going to use this stuff: http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_1...1023x272xTier3 to seal the bottoms of all the shelves so they are completely waterproof. You can do 34 shelves for $40.

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Originally Posted by PythonWallace

That's true, and plastic is a lot lighter than melamine, too. For the price though, I like the melamine racks. On all future racks I'm going to use this stuff: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...00100600&aff=Y to seal the bottoms of all the shelves so they are completely waterproof. You can do 34 shelves for $50.

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I was thinking about adding plastic sheets, but I think this stuff looks like a better fit. Thanks for the tip. I'll give it a try.

I've been getting around the weight problem by putting my racks on casters so I can roll them around as needed.

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Originally Posted by JeffFlanagan

I was thinking about adding plastic sheets, but I think this stuff looks like a better fit. Thanks for the tip. I'll give it a try.

I've been getting around the weight problem by putting my racks on casters so I can roll them around as needed.

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I didn't buy it yet, so let me know if you want to split a roll. I was going to try using castors, but I thought the weight would make them snap out the sides of the racks. I just make them 4 high and stack them. The adult 7 high racks are just too heavy to move around.

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Originally Posted by PythonWallace

I didn't buy it yet, so let me know if you want to split a roll. I was going to try using castors, but I thought the weight would make them snap out the sides of the racks. I just make them 4 high and stack them. The adult 7 high racks are just too heavy to move around.

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I rebuilt my immovable adult racks with a base made of 2x4's, and a pair of 2x3's at the top.
This made them much sturdier, and I attached the wheels to the base.
It was a lot of work, but now I can move them without taking them apart.
I'd post a pic, but I've misplaced my camera's tiny memory card.

I've placed an order for a roll. I'll let you know when it arrives.
This way you'll have to come by my place, and I can show you how big my Mojave from the first clutch has gotten. She may be longer than my Lesser.

Sounds good.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...3d2c2f5b47.jpg

built that about 4 days ago. works like a charm and built it for about $150. you have to have very precise measurements and make a blueprint or your gonna be lost. its not something you can just throw together and expect it to work.