Getting ready to build a display rack, I got a question...lol

[crazyj83]

Hey everyone, I'm getting ready to build my own display rack and I need some input. I am going to build a nice solid wood shelving unit and add hinged plexiglass fronts to each layer so people can still view my snakes without me getting them out all the time. I have it all drawn up and the measurements are accurate so this is where I'm hung up. Whats going to be the best way to heat each layer? Second question is this. Can I use ropelights on the hotsides to provide the added heat and light? My idea is to drill holes just big enought to fish the ropelights through the top of each layer starting from the top and work my way down. Good idea or not? Thanks for your time and responces

[LotsaBalls]

Honestly for the cost counting everything, IMO it's better to buy display cages. They really are not very expensive and all of your issues are already solved.

[adamjeffery]

Honestly for the cost counting everything, IMO it's better to buy display cages. They really are not very expensive and all of your issues are already solved.

i totally agree will you here. its always best to buy the quality housing imho. it may cost you a little more in the end but it will outlast "most" home built racks, will have better aesthetics and all R&D is already done for you.
now i must say i am a D.I.Y sort of guy and have many home built racks. but i still prefer professional ones.

maybe not in this case but many others i see folks that can afford to buy all these new snakes but then complain that the cost of a pre built rack is too much. imho you should have the rack before you buy the snakes. instead of getting that brand new shiny champagne for 1200, buy a animal plastics or boaphile rack for 400 and you now have 800 toward the next 4-8 animals too fill your rack with. this was just an example and just a rant that has been bugging me. not exactly aimed at the original poster
adam jeffery

[Royal Hijinx]

I would think flex watt for the heat. And I agree that prefab cages can be the way to go, and in the end probably cost about the same, and will generally be a easier to clean and maintain. Also wood and humidity are generally not friends unless you seal the heck out of it.

That said, if you are a carpenter or cabinet maker, I am sure you an put together something really nice.

[crazyj83]

Thanks for the intel, my bps are honestly still pets are all in tanks, I just wanted to make a simple rack that does both hold my bps and show them off at the same time...lol... Plus I enjoy being able to say "oh, you like my rack?..lol.. Yeah I built it". Its just the carpenter in me I guess...

[LotsaBalls]

Look into some type of plastic sheeting for construction if possible. It will be better for dealing with moisture and cleaning.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Yeah, call around to local plastics manufacturers, and see if you can find one that sells expanded PVC board. It can be worked virtually identically to wood, and it's moisture proof and can be disinfected.
It's not tremendously more expensive than wood. If you have to go with wood, try to order some melamine board that's made without formaldehyde.
You're going to have to put some real thought into how you're going to heat these.
(alternatively, consider Vision cages--they're stackable and look really nice).