Racks vs Cages

[Clay Yingling]

so, i just ordered my 2nd ball python, and have had my other ball python in a 20 gallon till he was a year old and now he is in a 50 gallon and i spent 400 dollars for it and all of the accesories. So, i was thinking, since i all ready have a 20 gallon i will put her in her in till she is a year, then this is where i start thinking, because i could spend400 dollars for another cage and have to make room for it, or buy this rack system,http://www.reptilebasics.com/iris-cb-70-rack, and sell the cages, what do you guys thing, should i go with racks or cages, what are the pros and cons of each? And if i go racks, how much could i sell a 50 gallon exo terra terrarium with all of the accsesories and a 20 gallon with all of the accessories, thanks.

[LittleTreeGuy]

I'm starting to look for my 2nd bp and this same question.

For 2 snakes - I was thinking a T8 from animal plastics with the divider, lights, flexwatt, rhp's on both sides, etc... everything in total was going to be about $600.


I've now changed my plans and will be picking up some pvc sheeting to build my own rack. I can build my own rack, with heat, tubs, hides, water bowls, and thermostat (enough to house 6 snakes for now) for about $300.



I've been trying to read up on drawbacks of using a rack, and the only thing I've seen people have issues with is ambient temps if your rack is in a really cool room in your house. If the room temps are below 70, depending on how and how much flexwatt you use, and tub size, you *MIGHT* need some other heat. I've seen several ideas for how to do this, but some people say it's not needed, as the tubs hold heat fairly well. Still, it will likely still be less than a cage setup. I think if I knew I would never have more than two snakes, I'd stick with a cage like the T8. If you plan on having 3, or 4, or 30, then cost per snake will probably decrease greatly with a rack system.

[Clay Yingling]

I'm starting to look for my 2nd bp and this same question.

For 2 snakes - I was thinking a T8 from animal plastics with the divider, lights, flexwatt, rhp's on both sides, etc... everything in total was going to be about $600.


I've now changed my plans and will be picking up some pvc sheeting to build my own rack. I can build my own rack, with heat, tubs, hides, water bowls, and thermostat (enough to house 6 snakes for now) for about $300.



I've been trying to read up on drawbacks of using a rack, and the only thing I've seen people have issues with is ambient temps if your rack is in a really cool room in your house. If the room temps are below 70, depending on how and how much flexwatt you use, and tub size, you *MIGHT* need some other heat. I've seen several ideas for how to do this, but some people say it's not needed, as the tubs hold heat fairly well. Still, it will likely still be less than a cage setup. I think if I knew I would never have more than two snakes, I'd stick with a cage like the T8. If you plan on having 3, or 4, or 30, then cost per snake will probably decrease greatly with a rack system.

Yeah, i understand about the fact that i only have 2 snakes, but what about if i want another, and i already am almost out of room in my room because i already have a29 gallon fishtank, a leopard gecko and my 2 bps, and also my lovely rabbit

[O'Mathghamhna]

Maybe it's just me, but I feel like BPs deserve a better and richer environment than just a rack type of home. I enjoy being able to see my angels exploring, climbing, basking, and hiding. It also allows me to keep an eye on them without disturbing them (to monitor temps and humidity). I prefer the large tanks because they are also more aesthetically pleasing. Of course not everyone agrees and some people are fine with stuffing snakes in drawers (lol), but I think they deserve better than that. Just my two cents.

[piedlover79]

My ball pythons didn't start taking f/t with any kind of regularity until I put them in a rack system. I think they feel more secure, the humdity is easier to control, the belly heat is a big plus. Also a lot easier to clean. I have hides inside the tubs so they aren't just sitting in just a tub with no where to go. The only down side is I have to take them out to view/enjoy them.

[Clay Yingling]

My ball pythons didn't start taking f/t with any kind of regularity until I put them in a rack system. I think they feel more secure, the humdity is easier to control, the belly heat is a big plus. Also a lot easier to clean. I have hides inside the tubs so they aren't just sitting in just a tub with no where to go. The only down side is I have to take them out to view/enjoy them.

I take my BP out a lot, and in his 50 gallon cage, the only good thing about it is it looks good. Now that's he is older and fat he kinda just sits in his hide almost 24-7 and I only see him out after I get him out and put him back in and he hasn't gone back into his hide. And the rack I am looking at has 3 tubs and heat tape, and since I have 2 ball pythons, I can use 2/3 and use the third for extra storage or for if I get another BP.

[Mr. Misha]

It all depends on your preference, funds and space.

I like terrariums because I like observing my animals (more like empty enclosures lol) and having esthetically pleasing homes for them (I own 5 snakes btw). Others like racks because you can fit more snakes into a place that doesn't take a lot of space.

Here's my current setup:



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[Kokorobosoi]

I have a very very small space, so I use racks. Build up, not out. Besides, who ever stops at just two? that like saying you only want two cookies. Good intentions, but almost never work.

[PitOnTheProwl]

When my wife and I first started collecting we used tanks too.
When we got 10 balls reality set in and we decided it was time to make a smart move to a couple racks.
Could you imagine?? Who in their right mind would have over 50 snakes in tanks........

[LittleTreeGuy]

It all depends on your preference, funds and space.

This is a big part of it...

If I had unlimited funds, I would probably just buy fully decked out T8's and have a few stacks of them 6 high... I have the room, but not the money. In the wild, BP's live in termite mounds and old burrows... so the small, cramped, tight, dark spaces is closer to their natural habitat. That being said, I like being able to see inside the cage as well on the off times my BP does come out of her hide. If only I had hit the powerball last night... lol