If your home made rack has belly heat, Please Read...

[M&J in NC]

I've decided to build our new rack instead of buying. In fact, I'm going to get the tubs this weekend. I was wondering how much room does the heat tape take up. The DIY pics I've seen show people using CDs as spacers when installing the shelves. Will using a CD give me enough clearance so that the tub wont be wedged in there too tight between the heat tape on bottom and the shelf above? I need to get all my measurements figured out before I have Home Depot cut my wood.

[Chris Rossi]

The Heat tape doesnt take up any room. It is like haveing a piece of paper or 2 under the tub. unless you have a super super tight fight I wouldnt wory about using the CDs. Hope this helps

[nixer]

some smaller snakes such as baby garters can squeeze though even the smallest gap i have heard 1/16th inch is too big of gap for them. you didnt mention the species of snakes youll be placing in the rack

[Clear]

Yea with heat tape you dont need to worry about the thickness, its as thin as paper is!

[M&J in NC]

Thanks for the replies folks. About the tubs; do they have to have flat, slick bottoms? Some tubs have small plastic reinforcements on the bottom to keep the tub slightly raised. Will either tub work?

[Chris Rossi]

I prefer to have the bottoms as smothe as possible. But the ones withe the ridges around the edges work.