I was lurking around the caging forum and came across a thread about enclosures vs. racks. (Unfortunately, I can't find it now - UGH).

I've been debating on what kind of enclosures to keep my snakes in, as I don't want to spend an arm and a leg (maybe some toes) on extravagant, stackable PVC or plastic cages, but I want to be able to see the snakes I'll own. I like the idea of a rack system due to convenience and ease of upkeep, but I don't like that sterilite/rubbermaid tubs are only transparent and not clear, so you get very limited visibility on your snakes.

However, one of the replies had a link to a thread on another site that gave the best of both worlds. It was a rack system that had large, clear tubs so that you could still see the snakes. Here's a photo of that rack. (I hope it's okay to post this!)


Since I saw that, I'm definitely going with the rack idea. I'm still going to get either a PVC or plastic cage for my boa, but I think I'd be able to build something to stack these on top of it without an issue.

The problem I'm having is finding clear tubs. I'm not sure how big a tub an adult BP would need. The largest ones I can find are these food storage boxes, with dimensions of 26x18x9".
http://www.webstaurantstore.com/camb...FQdyQgodQjUAvA

Then I was looking at the Critter Keeper things (like the ones they sell at Petco), but they don't come in very large sizes at all.
The biggest one I could find was here, and it's only 18x12x6.5".
http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/faunarium.php
Plus, I'm not sure of the quality of these containers, since they're advertised mostly for crickets and as carriers. I'm not sure if they would be very good to use, or if they would crack over time at all, especially if they were being used in a rack system....

I work at a cafe at the moment, so I know those food boxes are pretty tough!

Would the food box above be a good size for an adult BP? That's the biggest one I can find, as far as floor space goes; there is another size available that's taller (15"), but looking at other racks, 9" seems like it'd be tall enough. If that's too small, does anyone know where I'd be able to buy CLEAR tubs? Not transparent like sterilite tubs, but totally clear like an aquarium.

I know BPs like small, tight spaces and tend to do better in rack systems anyway, but I was thinking about having a sort of side-ways rack system with the long side of the cage facing out. For example, if I were to use the 26x18x9" food boxes for my racks, I'd have the 26" side facing out instead of the 18" side. (I hope that makes sense!) Would it help a BP feel more secure to have more 'stuff' in the cage? The minimum of two hides, but more decor in the cage for them to hide in so it doesn't feel as open for them?

Thank you in advance!