Couple breeding rack questions

[Amon Ra Reptiles]

Ok so I'm gonna build a breeder rack with 32qt tubs, it's gonna 2 tubs wide and ten tubs high so total of 20 tubs. I plan to use flexwat for belly heat but should I use 11" or a narrower width? Also for my incubator I'm going use a Herpstat but can I use a less expensive on off tstat for the rack? I know the on offs have a little more temp fluxuation so I'm not going to risk that for the incubator but would it be ok for the breeding rack?

Also, I was hoping to come up with something a little less expensive and hopefully lighter than melamine to construct the rack from anyone have any suggestions on this?

[RemysBalls]

From what I have read and found in different places. Using narrower Flexwatt is better for the breeding racks. I wouldn't risk using a cheaper thermostat if you are going to breed. Better to take as many variables out of the process as possible in my opinion. Also one tip that I have found very useful is when you put your probe on the Flexwatt put a piece of the tub between probe and the flexwatt and it will give you a closer reading as to the actual temperature in the tub rather than just on the Flexwatt.

[dreese88]

As far as materials, you can use door blanks, but I don't know how well they'll hold up if you're trying to go two wide or how much they cost. I've built my racks out of melamine and it wasn't too bad at all.

Also, I would house my breeder females in 41 qt or cb70 tubs if possible, I say this as someone who houses my females in smaller tubs solely due to space constraints, but that will be changing as soon as possible.

[dreese88]

oh, and I would use proportional stats across the board if you can afford too...if not buy a johnson or ranco from somewhere and get it wired if you don't know what you're doing as far as wiring things

[Amon Ra Reptiles]

Well I don't think space is gonna allow for the 41s I need to keep rack depth at 24" or less. I like the idea of the piece of tub between the flexwatt and probe. So what width is everyone using if not 11"? Also, about the thermostat anyone else had luck with a cheaper one or am I shooting myself in the foot? Thanks guys?

[jsmorphs2]

32qt tubs are fine for male breeders but you should go to 41qt tubs for your girls. Than being said you can build a rack to allow for the 41qt tubs to go sideways in the rack to save on space.

I use 3", 6 watt flexwatt for our 32qt tub rack and it works great. You really don't need to go any bigger than the 4" tape.

Also, I use the basic Herpstat thermostat (grounded) for the rack. I don't change the temps for breeding. It was around $120. http://spyderrobotics.com/. Definitely don't skimp on the thermostat. Here are some other thermostat options. I have not used any of these so I can't advise on which is better but they have good reputations. http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermostats/

Oh, and I used Melamine for the rack. It was the best I could find locally so I don't have any suggestions for other material.

[DC Reptiles]

when I bulit my rack it holds 28qt and 41qt. My girls are too big to fit in a 28 and be able to put a male in with them, to me its just to cramped. believe me always go a little bigger before smaller it will make things much easier for you later on. I dont know how big your girls are but my smallest breeding girl is 2000 most are 2500-3000 grams

[tqmidget85]

Go ahead and take a look at the DIY section on the forum. There are a lot of great stickies that will give you ideas on what to do. Good luck!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

As far as T-stat go I would only recommend Herpstat on the high end and ranco on the low end, anything else is asking for trouble down the road.

One thing you do not want to do is cut corners with thermostats.