My First Rack

[ALTownsend1]

So, as you all know, Ball Pythons ARE in fact like Pringles, and I have popped and now can't seem to stop. I only have my 09 1.0 Pastel, but already am itching to bring home my next ball. Obviously, a rack seems to be the way to go. The breeder who I bought Wyatt from is willing to part with a rack, and I wanted ya'lls opinions and experience. I am on a pretty tight budget, so some of the $2,3,400 racks are out of the question...

I only want a few tubs, because no matter how much I'd love to, the lady would never let me get more than a few...Sooooo, it looks like my ideal rack would have 3-4 tubs that could house a full grown ball python eventually.

The breeder is willing to part with his Animal Plastics Sterilite 1960 Series
Adult Rack System, which has three 41 qt. tubs, and has heating already... Here is a photo courtesy AnimalPlastics.com:



He is willing to part with it for $100, with heat and tubs, which seems like a great deal, but you all would have better opinions than a newbie like myself. It is definitely the right number of tubs i'm looking for, and seems like the right size and a respectable company

Also, I have a reptitemp 500r on the way for my single tank, and have read that it would work for the rack as well once I move to that. I would eventually save up for a helix or herpstat in the near future, but would the 500r be sufficient in the meantime? How do you go about making it compatible with a rack (I have zero knowledge about heat tape/thermostats together.) Once I can afford to upgrade, what is an economical "best buy"?

Thanks as always for the advice and expertise you guys are so willing to share

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Sounds like a great deal to me. I have 2 AP racks and have no problems with them. I have no experience with that thermostat though. Is it a digital therm? All my thermostats are digital. I have 2 Helix proportional. 2 Ranco and 1 Herpstat. Im not sure I would trust one without a clearly visible display with numbers. Im sure it would be fine as long as you properly adheared the probe to the heat tape on the rack. Just be sure you moniter the temps for a couple days before putting snakes in it. I have seen people selling a 3 tub rack like that for $300.00 used so If you have the extra money I would definately get it if its in good shape.

[ALTownsend1]

That's the problem, it's not digital, and only does the "on" "off" regulation I believe...here is a link with info:

http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=75

He said it's in great shape, and I remember all his stuff being top quality, I hear AP mentioned on here all the time...

[PurplePython]

That is a very solid deal man. $100 even for the rack, tubs, and heat? NOT BAD at all.

The only problem I can think of, is it might be too large to comfortably house an 09 BP seeing as he is most likely under 500 grams, but I am sure it would be a great pickup to use in the long-run.

Just go check it out before you buy it.

[ALTownsend1]

I know the guy from buying Wyatt, and he wouldn't sell me a sub-par rack, he is simply moving up to a huge rack and has no need for this.

As far as it being too big for my 09, should I just keep him in his tank till he hits the 500 mark, or is there a way to section off the tub or simply fill it with enough stuff to make it seem smaller? He's currently in a 30 gallon tank but has enough plants and hides to make it feel much smaller, not sure if I could do the same for a tub until he hits the 500 mark

[PurplePython]

I know the guy from buying Wyatt, and he wouldn't sell me a sub-par rack, he is simply moving up to a huge rack and has no need for this.

As far as it being too big for my 09, should I just keep him in his tank till he hits the 500 mark, or is there a way to section off the tub or simply fill it with enough stuff to make it seem smaller? He's currently in a 30 gallon tank but has enough plants and hides to make it feel much smaller, not sure if I could do the same for a tub until he hits the 500 mark

EDIT - wait nevermind.... I was right at what I said first.

I think 41 qt tubs are used for bigger adults, like 2000+ grams

[ALTownsend1]

So in that case, am i nowhere near needing this rack???? Could it still be ok for now or definitely no?

[Danounet]

I would still buy it even if you are not gonna use it now. $100 for a rack like that is a steal. You wont find that anywhere else. Also if it is sterilite 41 tubs. You could use 32qt sterilites instead, they are the same dimenssions. Just not as long as the 41qt.

[ALTownsend1]

Really? that is great news! would those sized tubs be ok for an 09?

[PurplePython]

I would still buy it even if you are not gonna use it now. $100 for a rack like that is a steal. You wont find that anywhere else. Also if it is sterilite 41 tubs. You could use 32qt sterilites instead, they are the same dimenssions. Just not as long as the 41qt.

yeah this is true. Although its not ideal to use such a big tub for such a young snake who probably isnt that big, this is STILL an amazing deal.

That rack with the tubs, heat, and shipping is around $225 brand new. Your saving over $100 and if its in good shape, that's an awesome deal.

You can probably fill the tub with small items like fake plants, 2 hides instead of 1, a slightly larger water dish than normal, ect, ect and it will be fine.

I have a late 09 pastel myself, and he isn't very big at all. I keep him in a 20 gallon long tank, which is basically too large for him, but I packed it nice with quite a lot of fake plants and fake hides, and pieces of driftwood so that he wont feel out in the open all the time.

Using something slightly too large isn't a big deal. He will grow to size before you know it anyway

In my opinion its always better to have an enclosure that is a little big too big instead of a little bit too small.

Go for it man.... its a good deal