DIY Ball Python Rack Question!

[Khay]

Hello there!

I'm doing research before I actually buy my ball pythons (generally a good thing, no?), and I'm leaning towards building my own snake rack because it seems to be cheaper financially, and because I have no clue where to look for these things in Canada.

So my dilemma in this is that I'm not very tolerant to heat... My bedroom is currently at 20C (68F), and I'm pretty much at the limit of what I like for heat. This will obviously cause issues for my ball pythons to-come, and where I just may suck it up and learn to deal with extra hot rooms, I'm wondering if there is a way where we both may be able to be happy.

I only have a two bedroom apartment, and where I'm probably going to shove them in a different room than where I sleep, but whenever I add to my collection, my collection is going to be sharing my room, so at least we can have a semi-quarantine, even if it won't be as effective as I'd like. So I'd really just like measures that I could use to improve their condition... In the end, if I have to sleep on the couch for my snakes to be happy and content, I will. Not to mention I'm sacrificing my open windows! Oh the dread!

So... All in all, I blabber, and I'm sorry... Does anyone know of a way where I can use a snake rack system even if my bedroom isn't heated to 80F? (Preferably where I could keep my bedroom at around 17C (62F) so I don't have to crack open a window?

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As another question (might as well use one thread, right?), aside from Melamine, which may be the cheapest wood around here, is there any other products that I can use to build the snake rack? I know not to use some woods because of toxins, but if I knew other ways to build the racks, at least then I'd have a back up plan after I butcher my first attempt! (I'm not even going to get into how little I know about using a thermostat! Teehee! It'll be a huge learning curve for me. I'll make a handywoman out of myself yet.)

[The Serpent Merchant]

A rack really isn't the best option for a room that cold. What you want is a PVC cage. contact Kitedemon (a fellow BP.net member) he lives in Canada and can help you better than I can.

Here is a thread that is about PVC cages. The information is good for most PVC cage brands

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

PVC is the way to go. it insulates better than most other materials and is lightweight.

[Khay]

Hmmm, that was what I was starting to worry about.

Guess I shall put this project on the back burner, and just save up. =)

Thanks!

[turk621]

Hey Khay
There is a way to keep a rack in those temps. I built my rack with melamine and combine backheat /belly heat. I have 4 inch heat tape mataining the cool side with back heat.The hot side is from 12 inch heat tape belly heat. I built my rack with 41 quart sterilite bins that are sideways instead of deep. I also added a door on 3/4 of the rack for security and to keep the heat in. No need to cook yourself for your snakes. Good luck

[Khay]

Hey Khay
There is a way to keep a rack in those temps. I built my rack with melamine and combine backheat /belly heat. I have 4 inch heat tape mataining the cool side with back heat.The hot side is from 12 inch heat tape belly heat. I built my rack with 41 quart sterilite bins that are sideways instead of deep. I also added a door on 3/4 of the rack for security and to keep the heat in. No need to cook yourself for your snakes. Good luck

I was just thinking about that last night, wondering if I could use two pieces of tape to maintain a cool side and a hot side, and hopefully have it adjust in the middle.

This gives me hope! Thank you! I'll probably build my rack during the summer, when I know the snakes will be nice and comfortable, and just adjust to winter from there.

[kitedemon]

That is a very cool room. My rack is in a cool room too but rarely under 19-20ºC. The idea of back heat belly might not be a bad one but all that for a single snake is a bit over kill. I too would suggest a pvc enclosure. Sly plastics would be my first suggestion they are in montreal. Cornells world is great too but the shipping to the maritimes can get excessive. I have a design for a wood and PVC cage I just build that if you have woodworking skills you can adapt to your ideas. I am not sure that it is much cheaper however.

A side turned aquarium might work but again heat is a problem. Glass is better than tubs but not close to PVC it can be insulated but...

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...arium-Solution

The biggest issue I have with my rack is the floor is very cool and the lower slots cool off a lot faster than the top ones. I needed to heat it 4 zones hot and cool and top ones and lower ones. That and a PVC rack and added insulation and careful air flow all works for me but it is a pain in the butt.


http://www.slyplastics.com/ (web site is a shambles sylvain is a great guy however)

http://www.cornelsworld.com/

There is another plastic company whom makes enclosures but for the life of me I can't remember whom it is. Something display I think but...

[Khay]

I'll take a look, but chances are... if I'm getting one, I'm getting two, and my partner wants different snakes than I do... So. Starting with four probably four by the end of the summer?

But yes... Let me be the stereotypical Canadian and love my igloos. However, I may just get a space heater and suck it up.