Building a rack for living room. Another temp question.

[whispersinmyhead]

Well now should I use all on size tub or can I use two or three different sizes?

My original thought was to have 2-3 41 qt then 2-3 28qt maybe even add in a 4-6 6qt. My other thought was just make them all 41 qt and use hides for smaller snakes. If I bread I will build a hatchling rack beforehand.

My goal is to keep a few snakes with limited amount of space and try breeding once or even if I do it every year it will only be a clutch or two. Where I love there are no breeders close by that I have found. I won't have a problem selling off the ones we don't wish to keep as pets. Any thoughts?

[whispersinmyhead]

Well I just stumbled upon a thread that had dividers in 32 qt tubs. I think that is the way I will go. 2-3 41 qt tubs and 3 28qt tubs with removable dividers for the first year of breeding.

If anyone knows of a divider system that works please comments. Pics would be great.

I was thinking of using holes and zip ties to fasten and pice of melamine in place. I can't think of a better system yet.

[whispersinmyhead]

Anyone else have racks in regular temp rooms around 70f? I am having a hard time thinking everyone has a spare room for reptiles though that would be fantastic it just isn't possible for me.

Any other experiences with racks in standard room please chime in. I have heard from a few people that say it can work. I have heard from a few that say I shouldn't consider a rack in my living room. More feedback would definitely help.

Thanks to all that have helped as usual great forum for help both I. Threads and pm's.

[satomi325]

Anyone else have racks in regular temp rooms around 70f? I am having a hard time thinking everyone has a spare room for reptiles though that would be fantastic it just isn't possible for me.

Any other experiences with racks in standard room please chime in. I have heard from a few people that say it can work. I have heard from a few that say I shouldn't consider a rack in my living room. More feedback would definitely help.

Thanks to all that have helped as usual great forum for help both I. Threads and pm's.

It can work. If you have an enclosed rack (walls on the back and sides), it will insulate a lot better than a stand alone tub or open rack system (i.e. RBI economy rack style). And like I mentioned in my previous post, belly heat will be more efficient than back heat with that type of temp, which is what I have.

[kitedemon]

Just to add a thought, perhaps rather than a acrylic front a cloth curtain may work, as well. It should hold a fair bit of heat and still allow good ventilation you only need 7-10º so it isn't that extreme.

My conditions are much cooler than your so I can't comment on back heat it doesn't work for me, too cool, I can't even hold 90º on the nearest wall.

[whispersinmyhead]

Thanks again everyone!

I posted on a different forum (mistake) and I just caught a bunch of crap basically telling me I was going give my BP RI by using a rack in a non reptile room. It isn't that I wasn't open to criticism, it was just basically treating me like I was retarded for even considering it. It shook my confidence. I love Internet tough guys cause they would speak to me like that in real life I guarantee it. Sorry just had to vent a little.

Everyone is so much friendlier and helpful on this forum which is why I read it so much. I have more confidence I can make this work. I may still play around with an acrylic door or maybe even a tight screen used for vents for security reasons. I have little nieces and nephews and although they are good I just wouldn't want them bit burned or more likely accidentally hurt a snake. I have some more planning to do now. At least I can make room to feed my addiction.

[kitedemon]

The solid door also could be lockable. In my region it is a by-law that 'secure' enclosures need to be maintained but it never defines 'secure' I figure a lock is secure no matter the def.

I don't keep a rack in a heated reptile room (reptile room yes, central heating no). That is silly, it can be done, it just isn't easy. It has more ins and outs to it and requires more mucking about but that does not mean it can't be done. I really object to the blanket statement especially in husbandry it is no methods that are so universal that it always works or never works.

I am just going to keep tossing notions out there perhaps something will spark a different idea for you. I have tossed around the idea of a water heating system a reservoir of some sort aquarium heater and small pump with tubing. I have never tried this but the though is solid no reason why it would not work. Again just a thought.

[whispersinmyhead]

Kitedemon, you and serpant merchant were a huge help when I converted my yeild Beardie cage for my first and what I thought would be my only ball. LOL!
It worked out perfectly! Now that cage will be passd on to my little cousin this summer. The more. I think about it and monitor my room temps the more I think it will work just fine. I think the doors may have to be there because that is where the long side of the tub is but the doors won't be air tight and I will have some vents on the doors and maybe even the back if needed. I will probably build it first and see how temps etc are and then install vents slowly. Lather rinse repeat until it works out. Who knows, the front doors may have really large vents. I don't think it will be too difficult to raise ambients up 8-10f. I actually think the large PVC enclosures I was thinking about would have been slightly more challenging because it is a much larger volume of air.

BTW I think the water heating system is a great idea! The only downfall (like liquid cooling for computers) is the possible leak factor but with careful installation I think it would be a great heat source and really efficient. Especially if you use a rad of some sort you could cover the whole back of a rack with a nice gentle heat.

The deep blue LED rope light or light strips may be another way to help the ambients. Also it could create a nice look. I use it in my current setup and it is always warm. That little bit of heat would add up in a small space.

Always a pleasure chatting about design. I have poured through old threads looking for similar situations. I think I over think things before I start building but I haven had any failures yet (knock on wood).

Thanks again.

I will post a build log when I start with posted temp results. I wasn't the first with this situation and I won't be the last.

[whispersinmyhead]

Well I wonder if I am over thinking this a little. Sometimes the best solution is the one right in front of your face. The tradition DIY rack with tubs sliding in lengthwise, will probably hold the heat way better than width wise. That may negate the need for a door at all. No big long exposed side. I will keep it off the floor with locking casters and hide some insulation on the bottom. Just to keep the drafts away.

For security I think a simple bar and a lock (watch some Ralph Davis vids on you tube).

If I need to I can still attach a door with appropriate ventilation if need be.

Originally I didn't want the cabinet so deep. But to do what I wanted would be cost prohibitive. It was also going to be extremely heavy with a bottom cabinet and the doors and all. I think the traditional deep design is around for good reasons.

Thanks for helping me through the thought process guys. I have a tendency to make things too complex but luckily I never rush into anything. I'll keep you posted when I start the build.

[RedseaReefer]

I just wanted I share my rack build with you.
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=189583

It was a bit much to get a helix but I figured why not I'd end up buying one eventually. But I had a lot of fun building it, it's easy to regulate, it takes up almost no room in my living room. AND it can hold 8 small or med sized balls or 4 adults! Or anything in-between.


Only cost me $35 to get groves cut for the flexwatt
Anyways sorry to jabber on I hope whatever you do goes well for you!!