My husband and I have had plans to build a rack for some time now. The other day I was driving around and started thinking that I'd much rather build a kind of display rack than a traditional Sterilite tub rack. My thought was to basically create it the same (to look like a shelving unit of sorts)...but have each space measure 48"x18"x10". Then instead of using a tub, affix an acrylic swing door on a hinge to cover each space/shelf...so that it's basically a display and we can see our animals while still preserving the heat/security features of a rack. The look would be similar to stacked Animal Plastics cages, but in one solid unit. Does this sound like it would work?

The first thing I'm undecided on is heating. I already plan to use a heat cable like the one I have in my Animal Plastics rack...very easy and reliable. But I can't decide if I want to route it through one side of each shelf like in my rack, or along one entire side wall of the unit. Either way would provide a perfect gradient in each shelf, but one would supply belly heat while the other ambient/background heat. The room they're kept in is 82-83 degrees at all times. Which way would you do it?

The other thing is the shelving...do I want them fixed and screwed into the outer walls so that they're permanent...or resting on stationary shelving supports so that each shelf is removable (much easier to clean and sanitize). Opinion?

Any other thoughts/suggestions on this?