Looking to build a 3 tub rack for three adult ball pythons

[tttaylorrr]

I am thinking that i will only make the shelves of the rack PVC and then the sides and the back will be painted plywood. That way I can make it for cheaper.

this is an interesting idea!

i'm currently drawing up plans for a 6-shelf rack. i'm going to be starting my own thread about it basically asking the same things you are lol. i wish i could answer your other questions but i'm curious myself.

[dylan815]

this is an interesting idea!

i'm currently drawing up plans for a 6-shelf rack. i'm going to be starting my own thread about it basically asking the same things you are lol. i wish i could answer your other questions but i'm curious myself.

I guess i feel like only the tops need to be water proof. I think that the back and sides won't come into contact with the Humidity like the top and bottom of the shelves. But wait, whats the smallest size PVC panel that you can buy? If it's 8ft by 4ft i could make a 5 snake rack with one piece of PVC using 41Q rubbermaids. What do you think of these tubs for this project?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite...TDGCFh_KdWUWHA

[tttaylorrr]

I guess i feel like only the tops need to be water proof. I think that the back and sides won't come into contact with the Humidity like the top and bottom of the shelves. But wait, whats the smallest size PVC panel that you can buy? If it's 8ft by 4ft i could make a 5 snake rack with one piece of PVC using 41Q rubbermaids. What do you think of these tubs for this project?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite...TDGCFh_KdWUWHA

those are a nice size. my current design is based off of IRIS CB-70 tubs like AP racks. i'm about to post my thread.

[dylan815]

those are a nice size. my current design is based off of IRIS CB-70 tubs like AP racks. i'm about to post my thread.

Where do you think i should buy my heat tape for the rack and how do you figure out just how much you need?

[tttaylorrr]

Where do you think i should buy my heat tape for the rack and how do you figure out just how much you need?

i wish i knew an answer lol. i would appreciate some insight on this from someone with experience as well!

[dylan815]

i wish i knew an answer lol. i would appreciate some insight on this from someone with experience as well!

I guess were in the same boat now haha

[tttaylorrr]

I guess were in the same boat now haha

my guess at least for how much to get would be just doing basic math. my shelves are 6.25 in. tall and 19.25 in. wide: i would need enough heat tape to cover the bottom of the shelves as well as going up the sides into the next shelf.

19.25 in. (width of shelf the heat tape must cover) x 6 (number of shelves) = 115.5 in.

6.25 in. (height of shelves) x 6 (amount of times the heat tape will be taped to the sides) = 37.5 in.

115.5 in. + 37.5 in. = 153 in.
i will need at least 153 in. of heat tape to cover all the area i need to.

[dylan815]

my guess at least for how much to get would be just doing basic math. my shelves are 6.25 in. tall and 19.25 in. wide: i would need enough heat tape to cover the bottom of the shelves as well as going up the sides into the next shelf.

19.25 in. (width of shelf the heat tape must cover) x 6 (number of shelves) = 115.5 in.

6.25 in. (height of shelves) x 6 (amount of times the heat tape will be taped to the sides) = 37.5 in.

115.5 in. + 37.5 in. = 153 in.
i will need at least 153 in. of heat tape to cover all the area i need to.

sorry, another question for ya taylor :/ Do you have to cut a groove for the heat tape also, how do you cut it in PVC, use a router bit???? I mean, it really should be fine comming into contact with the bottom of the rubbermaid containers, right?

[tttaylorrr]

sorry, another question for ya taylor :/ Do you have to cut a groove for the heat tape also, how do you cut it in PVC, use a router bit???? I mean, it really should be fine comming into contact with the bottom of the rubbermaid containers, right?

ask away!

no, the heat tape should not be able to touch the tub (TBH i'm not sure why, but i've always read that they can't touch each other). the rack i just got has a ~0.25" x (however wide the heat tape is) groove cut into the bottom so the tubs just slide over the groove over the heat tape.

i haven't figured out how i'm going to cut the groove yet. my father is a carpenter so i'll have to ask him and see if he has any ideas on how to do it.

[dylan815]

ask away!

no, the heat tape should not be able to touch the tub (TBH i'm not sure why, but i've always read that they can't touch each other). the rack i just got has a ~0.25" x (however wide the heat tape is) groove cut into the bottom so the tubs just slide over the groove over the heat tape.

i haven't figured out how i'm going to cut the groove yet. my father is a carpenter so i'll have to ask him and see if he has any ideas on how to do it.

It looks like it is possible to use a router on PVC sheets. Now the question is, how wide of heat tape do I need to buy? I know i can use a plunge router to route out the track in my shelves for the tape.... But how wide?