DIY racks vs Rhinoraxx, boaphile, animal plastics, etc

hey there,
i am by no means a carpenter or anything...and i don't have any tools that would be useful in building a rack. so i was just wondering weather you guys think pre-built/wired/heated/tubbed racks are worth the huge price or not. i was thinking of getting 3 of these:

Rhinoraxx

they are really expensive, but i think it would bring me peace of mind to know that everything was all already done for me.

anybody have any experience with these, or other types of pre-made rack systems? do you think they're worth it, or should i just try my very best at building one myself? thanks!

I have the Rhinoraxx and they are good sturdy racks. They only con is that they take 4-6 weeks to be delivered. The price includes both heat, tubs and shipping so you don't have to worry about finding the right size tub ect.

Did you look at Reptile Basics racks as well?

yes, i did look at reptile basics, thanks! the only thing that led me to want the rhinoraxx over the reptile basics is the CB-70's i believe only come in 30.6 quart tubs, and the rhinoraxx are 41 quart. i personally don't think 30 quarts is enough floor space for a full-grown ball python.

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Originally Posted by katia

yes, i did look at reptile basics, thanks! the only thing that led me to want the rhinoraxx over the reptile basics is the CB-70's i believe only come in 30.6 quart tubs, and the rhinoraxx are 41 quart. i personally don't think 30 quarts is enough floor space for a full-grown ball python.

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If I remember right, CB-70's actually have a little bit larger footprint than the Sterilite 41qt tubs, but have a little less head room.

wow, thanks m00kfu! i checked, and it seems their footprint is nearly the same! with that in mind, anyone that's had experience with both, which would you go for, animal plastics or rhinoraxx?

i really like the way rhinoraxx are heated, i've never used back heat or "dual-sided radiant," and to me belly heat seems to make more sense. am i mistaken? is this quite common? this is what animal plastics site says about the CB70's

"Dual side radiant is the preferred heating choice. In this line of racks it is 11" flexwatt running

down both inner sides of the rack about 25% of the way in from the back. This still provides

a wonderful gradient of heat. This system actually heats the ambient air temperature inside the

tub, not just the belly of the animals. It is a much safer and more efficient way to heat rack systems."

opinions?

I like my boaphile rack more then my ap rack but its just personal preference

Denial, howcome you like boaphile more?

I love my AP racks, and the price is great.
I'm building a couple of super cheap temporary racks this year, though--feeling the budget crunch!

thanks everyone, i've fully decided on the rhinoraxx. the ball room rack tubs have a much larger footprint than the AP CB70's, so i can take comfort that all my BP's can be comfortable no matter how large they get - the rhinoraxx ballroom rack comes with tubs that are nearly 3 feet long! they are going to be pricey for sure but it's cheaper than buying a rack and then finding it to be too small somewhere down the line. thanks for everyones input! it will be quite awhile before i order them, but when i do, there will be pics!