Metal?

Is there any downside to building a metal rack out of aluminum? My first tow concerns are 1) heat (little insulation) and 2) heat. Yeah, all of them revolve around heat. It I run wire through cut holes, I can add grommets .. no biggie, but I fear working with Flexwatt on a metal surface.

My concerns with heat are also confused but the fact that aluminum is conductive so the whole rack would be warm ... so .. would it really matter?

Anyone seen this done, ideas ... thoughts? The reason I bring it up is where I work we have a custom metals shop that can do just about anything .. and I am currently asking about it and the response so far is .. "we can do that". I don't know if I should move forward and try it out, or just leave it alone.

They can build it cheaper than RBI.

okay...why metal?

Okay the gain to using metal is strength.

but yes...electrical through metal if you don't know what you are doing is very bad

A rack really shouldn't get much exposure to moisture if done right...


In theory the best rack available would be some sort of plastic...

non conductive
cheap
strong
water proof
and has insulation properties...


so again...why metal?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by suzuki4life

okay...why metal?

In theory the best rack available would be some sort of plastic...

non conductive
cheap
strong
water proof
and has insulation properties...


so again...why metal?

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Samuel

The reason I bring it up is where I work we have a custom metals shop that can do just about anything .. they can build it cheaper than RBI.

---

This is why I ask the question, I don't know if it has been done before (well, obviously the big breeders use metal racks but heat the rooms) in the way I am looking at it. I think it is interesting .. and wanted opinions. I am not cutting it out yet, or asking for pictures, or looking for plans .. just asking about the possibilities.

Sentec caging makes cb70 racks out of aluminum. They have back heat

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Denial

Sentec caging makes cb70 racks out of aluminum. They have back heat

---

This is what Ive made the switch to, I just got 2 cb-70 racks from them. They look AWESOME and work perfect. I definately recommend them. They also use pvc for tops and back and the top is partially ventilated.

I opted to use the ARS 70 series tubs instead of the Iris tubs provided from Sentec. Heres a pic of them before being shipped out.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...ck_ars_001.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...ck_ars_002.jpg

you find they get enough heat with the side sbeing that open and only back heat?

i plan to build my rat racks out of alluminum

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by takagari

you find they get enough heat with the side sbeing that open and only back heat?

i plan to build my rat racks out of alluminum

---

Im in a temp controlled room with the temp being atleast 83 degrees at all times so I have no problems with my temps in the tubs

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FIREball

Im in a temp controlled room with the temp being atleast 83 degrees at all times so I have no problems with my temps in the tubs

---

do you provide extra back heat?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lucas339

do you provide extra back heat?

---

It comes with 11" flexwatt backheat already on them so yes I am using that, do I need it? Probably not with the temps in my room.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FIREball

It comes with 11" flexwatt backheat already on them so yes I am using that, do I need it? Probably not with the temps in my room.

---

Yes but my worry is that heat isnt actually touching the back of the tub really.

have you measured the back of the tub to find out what the temps in the tubs actually are? this has been my concern

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by takagari

Yes but my worry is that heat isnt actually touching the back of the tub really.

have you measured the back of the tub to find out what the temps in the tubs actually are? this has been my concern

---

Yes the heat is making its way into the tub, there is about a 6deg difference from front to back

Do they offer a rack with belly heat? Since heat travels vertically (rises) and not horizontally, I'd be concerned using that style myself. I personally prefer belly heat for that reason. And, I don't have the luxury of closing off a room to keep a room in the 80's.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rabernet

Do they offer a rack with belly heat? Since heat travels vertically (rises) and not horizontally, I'd be concerned using that style myself. I personally prefer belly heat for that reason. And, I don't have the luxury of closing off a room to keep a room in the 80's.

---

Eric said he could make one with belly heat but would be more expensive. You can email him off the Sentec Caging site.

Eric can also install pvc siding into the racks also to make them enclosed.