Rack question.

[shelliebear]

So I think I'm going to begin prep for a rack system.
(I've got nothing better to do than to create paradise for my babies )
My questions are:
1. If you use plastic tubs made of sterilite, can you put a UTH or other heating pad type thing DIRECTLY onto the bottom of the tub? Or will those get hot enough to melt plastic?
If it's too hot to use, this leads me to my next question:
2. Where do I buy Flexwatt, and what's this I hear about needing some special tool to "activate" it? How much would I need? And how do I attach it to the tubs--can it be directly applied, or does it need some type of spacer? If it needs space, what do I use that is thin enough so the heat will still reach the BP, but not hot enough to melt the tub?
3. I know 41 qt. is average for adult BP's, but that seems awfully small to me, especially for creating a warm and cool side. Could some people possibly show me some pictures of an adult BP in the size of tub they use, with the tub capacity (qts)? I lack an adult BP right now so I'm not quite sure how one would look in a tub.
4. What in the world should I use for the rack? Wood? Metal? I've seen both. I was hoping someone could give me pros/cons--and especially costs of each since I'm on a somewhat low budget.
5. Would ANY of these storage containers work (they are from Walmart)? Also, do they need to be completely clear colored or is a see-through color on the sides fine?
(am I allowed to post photos if I give Walmart full credit for them?)
Measures: 20''L x 19.25''W x 7.38''H
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-...-of-4/10401061
Dimensions: 23.18 L x 16.88 W x 12.5 H", 58 quarts
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-...-of-8/14138802
(also have the above pink one in clear white color)
Dimensions: 26.375 x 16.0 x 12.125 , 105 quarts.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-...-of-4/13376578
Dimensions: 34.88 L x 16.75 W x 13 H", 90 quarts
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/detai...72036854775808
Dimensions: 26.13 L x 18.25 W x 6.38 H", 40 quart
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/detai...72036854775808

Do you think any of those tubs will work? Sorry for all the photos, but I'm really confused about all this tub business.
Any and all help appreciated. Thanks so much.

[JLC]

1. If you use plastic tubs made of sterilite, can you put a UTH or other heating pad type thing DIRECTLY onto the bottom of the tub? Or will those get hot enough to melt plastic?

If you're using a rack system, you don't attach the heat source to the tub...you attach it to the bottom of the rack that the tub sits on. ANY heat source, whether a store bought UTH or flexwatt needs to be controlled with a thermostat to keep it from getting too hot. If it's hot enough to melt the tubs, it's hot enough to injure or even kill your snakes.

Having said that, for a rack system, flexwatt is a much more economical and logistically simpler method than individual heat pads.

2. Where do I buy Flexwatt, and what's this I hear about needing some special tool to "activate" it? How much would I need? And how do I attach it to the tubs--can it be directly applied, or does it need some type of spacer? If it needs space, what do I use that is thin enough so the heat will still reach the BP, but not hot enough to melt the tub?

Reptile Basics, Inc is the best place I know to get flexwatt. He won't just sell it to you, he'll help you figure out exactly what you need for your project. You don't need any special tools if you buy it pre-wired, which Rich at RBI will do for you.

And again, it wouldn't attach directly to the tubs, but would be attached to the rack itself. You DO want a little space between the heat and the tub. You don't want the tub rubbing across the flexwatt each time you open it. Not much space...but a tiny bit. Some racks are built with a groove routered out of the bottom of each row that the flexwatt sits in....others are built with a "lip" that the tub hangs from so it doesn't sit directly on the floor of the rack.

And it bears repeating...you have to have a thermostat to control the heat. The tiny amount of space you allow between tub and heat will NOT do that for you.

3. I know 41 qt. is average for adult BP's, but that seems awfully small to me, especially for creating a warm and cool side. Could some people possibly show me some pictures of an adult BP in the size of tub they use, with the tub capacity (qts)? I lack an adult BP right now so I'm not quite sure how one would look in a tub.

If you have a strip of 3" flexwatt near the back of the tub, they do just fine. You can certainly go bigger if you want.

4. What in the world should I use for the rack? Wood? Metal? I've seen both. I was hoping someone could give me pros/cons--and especially costs of each since I'm on a somewhat low budget.

Most people that are building their own racks use melamine, I believe. Never built one myself. In the DIY forum, Robin has instructions for building a very budget-savvy rack...but I believe it only works for hatchling sized tubs.

5. Would ANY of these storage containers work (they are from Walmart)? Also, do they need to be completely clear colored or is a see-through color on the sides fine?

The snakes don't care if the tub is colored or not. I believe SOME sort of transparency is important so some ambient light reaches the animals each day to give them a day/night cycle...and so you can get a peek at them from time to time. But they can live in completely opaque tubs, too.

Most people go for long, shallow tubs, especially for a rack system. The last one on your list looked the most like what folks usually use. Those little drawer systems aren't nearly secure enough and would be extremely escape prone. If you are building your own rack, you can customize it to fit whatever tub you end up choosing...I'd recommend making sure it's something you can get readily so you don't end up with a customized rack and then can't find the right sized tubs to fill it with.

[Miko]

Since JLC helped explain things, I'll try to help you visually.

Here is a good video on how to use flexwatt,
http://www.bigappleherp.com/Flex-Watt-Heat-Tape

Also, I would look at a few DIY racks for reference. This site has an amazing collection of DIY racks!
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-(DUW-Big-Time)

I have accumulated a couple places that have nice racks you can also use them by reading the description to find out what they're made out of. You may find some more useful than others.
http://www.reptilebasics.com/reptile-rack-systems/
http://www.boaphileplastics.com/
http://www.animalplastics.com/

I figure those are a few good places to start reference wise. Good luck!

[jhamilton]

just got answers to a bunch of questions i had!! thanks