My hubby made me a new snake cage!!

[BPelizabeth]

So we decided to try our hand at our own cage this time. We used melamine...and four 41 quart sterilites, along with heat tape ordered from reptile basics. He used a router to trim off some so that the heat tape would not get rubbed pulling the tubs in and out after time. We ran 2 rows of heat tape on each shelf and there is 2 plugs for the whole thing. Here are some of the pics....(im in trouble for the one with him in it...lol...) All in all I think he did a great job for our first home made snake rack.

[PolishPython]

looks awesome .. wish I was good enough with my hands to build one lol I am far from a Bob Villa

[j_h_smith]

Now that's true love. Anyone can buy a diamond ring, but to build a new snake rack, that's priceless.

Jim Smith

[jben]

Now that's true love. Anyone can buy a diamond ring, but to build a new snake rack, that's priceless.

Jim Smith

LOL. It is very nice. How about posting dims? The one i build is for 32qt and would like to build one just like that for my females.

[blackcrystal22]

How'd you incorporate the heat tape in there??

[BPelizabeth]

How'd you incorporate the heat tape in there??

He used a router to cut out an inlay for the heat tape and then on every end he cut a small indentation. We put a layer of duct tape down then put the heat tape on top of it. We then brought it up the side to the next shelf...and did the same thing till we reached the top. We put the heat tape down as we built it. We put in two rows and just wired those 2 rows. We got the idea from CB-70 rack that we have from reptile basics.

so it kind of looks like an S shape...it goes to the left...then up to the next shelf and over to the right across the shelf....then up to the next shelf...and over to the left across the next shelf. Then we have the two cords coming out of the back to hook into the Herpstat. We also made an exit hole for the probe as well. Hope that makes sense.

JBen - I will get the dimensions and get back to you on that. He explained some stuff but all I heard when it comes to that is the Charlie Brown teacher talking...ya know....mwon...won...won...munnnn...

[BPelizabeth]

LOL. It is very nice. How about posting dims? The one i build is for 32qt and would like to build one just like that for my females.

Ok....here are the dimensions.....If you want to ask the hubby any questions pm me and I can call you or vice versa and you can talk to him.

The dimensions of the sterilites:
16 1/4 w
35 D
5 1/2 T

The cage --

Back - 1 piece
18 1/2 W
28T

Sides - 2 pieces
36 w
28 long


Shelves and top - 5 pieces

17 W
36 long

We had to use 3/4 melamine which was thicker than we wanted...but it was all we could get at the time. It is really heavy so we are putting some wheels on it. Something else I would suggest is instead of the CDs in the future we would use a piece of cardboard or do 3 CDs each....we just did not get the depth we wanted ...it is a pretty snug fit. We left an inch and a half on the bottom for air flow. If you go with a deeper shelf and use the cardboard I would cut that down to 1 inch. This allows for some air flow on the bottom so you don't have to put it up on boards or whatever. Also after you finish get the tape for the edges and just iron it on then trim it. Its totally asthetics...put I like the more finished look. We also could of put the hole for the cords on the side or the back...we chose the back...but you can decide whatever you want. I hope this helps....and really no biggie if you want to call the hubby.

[wendhend]

What a sweet husband you have! So, now you have room for four more new snakes?

[BPelizabeth]

What a sweet husband you have! So, now you have room for four more new snakes?

Not exactly...I have one that is going in now and I have another in quar. so only room for 2 new ones...but the hubby says....No...not till next year........yea like that is gonna stick...lol. Im waiting for wildmorphs to have my lesser baby boy.

[Sariel]

Great post, Ive been wanting to build my own rack eventually and this was a big help.
Awesome husband you have for building yours for you.