To use the tops for the tubs, or not to use the tops for the tubs...

[Ben Biscy]

I use them, if it's too much hassle to remove them to check on your animal that just means your lazy.

that's why i use racks anyway.

if i were to use lids, i'd have no reason to have a rack system. i could simply stack totes. slide out caging is great, i keep a few extras so in the event of mess, i simply swap, take the dirty tub out to be hosed. lazy? of course! easy? you bet!

[Seneschal]

I think it would get annoying to have to take off the top everytime I wanted to check in on the condition of the tubs. Yea the tubs are clear but when they're in a rack it gets pretty dark and hard to see if there are any urates present ect.

Without the tubs you can just slide it out half way give a quick peek do what you gotta do and be done with it.

You hit the nail on the head. My dad and I built my rack for 41qt tubs and my dad didn't listen to my measurement, but the measurements on the tub--which of course included the lid. I can't put the tubs into the rack without the lid or the snakes can escape...and man is it a pain in the butt to have to pull the tub completely out, set it down and remove the lid to check on the animals every single time. It results in a LOT of spilled water and is overall a pain in the rump. I'd advise against it.

[Repsrul]

I say no lids! I would find it annoying to have to take a lid off of each tub to check the snake, water, temp... It would take to long to do that with lids. I check them everyday and before I had the racks it was a pain in the butt with the tubs and lids.

[Dixie Serpent Den]

We have 6 racks, 4 for breeders and 2 for babies, we didn't use the lids to build any of them. To me that would take away the reason for having a rack to use to begin with. There is no way I could deal with having to take the lids off every time I needed into the tub. If the rack is built good then you shouldn't have to worry about the snakes getting out. We have never had one get out.

[nicktreb]

Im building a rack just so i dont have to use these stupid lids anymore! lol

[HerpKeeperVA]

I built my rack to fit the tubs with lids. I don't have a room just for the snakes, and I have a 2 year old running around. The lids give me extra security to keep her from setting the snakes in the lower tubs free.

[Ginevive]

I don't use lids for my 32 and 41-quart tubs. For the smaller shoeboxes, I do use the lids. It is a great fit with their lids on, and a spare, small piece of melamine under the shoebox tub; then when they outgrow that, I can just use the same space (minus the melamine sheet below the shoeboxes) for the larger tubs!

[bobbittle]

You hit the nail on the head. My dad and I built my rack for 41qt tubs and my dad didn't listen to my measurement, but the measurements on the tub--which of course included the lid. I can't put the tubs into the rack without the lid or the snakes can escape...and man is it a pain in the butt to have to pull the tub completely out, set it down and remove the lid to check on the animals every single time. It results in a LOT of spilled water and is overall a pain in the rump. I'd advise against it.

Cut some pieces of particle board/plywood and put them under the tubs. 1/4" should do it. That'll fix you up.

[SlitherinSisters]

No need for lids in a rack system. It would be such a pain to have to pull it out all the way and then take off a lid too. I've never had a BP escape.

[Oxylepy]

I ened up getting a rack ultimately. also who bumped this?