to build or buy?

[jellingson26]

So i want to invest in a small rack system (five or so). Im trying to decide whether to build one or buy one....suggestions?

[Mike41793]

I liked the one i built but id reccommend saving the money up and buying a plastic one. Theyre MUCH lighter haha. Unless you have a ton of building experience, in that case id probably reccommend building one bc you could make it really nice.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Depends on your budget, how you value your time, and the kind of rack you want.

When I first started I built a few Melamine rack they were nice but heavy and because they are made of wood they expend and contract all the time.

I slowly decided to move toward Expended PVC racks and after pricing the material I decided that it was not worth it for me to build it myself so instead I started buying Animal Plastic racks.

Those rack are light but sturdy, easily put together and come with recessed it which cannot really be done when building your own rack.

[MrLang]

Deborah and I agree on this topic.

Justify the spending on a per-animal basis. A 5 tub animal plastics economy rack is like 200 bucks. 40 bucks a pop for your 5 snakes is a very reasonable cost for housing.

You'll save the difference 10 fold when your snake doesn't escape the rack.

[Mike41793]

You'll save the difference 10 fold when your snake doesn't escape the rack.

A pvc rack does not gurantee that you wont have escapees.

[kitedemon]

I am having this same issue currently for a small hatchling rack. I would suggest buying unless there is a reason (specific space or odd size) that would make it a custom job. My rack to house 18 hatchlings is going to run about 450$ in materials. It is an irregular size other wise I would buy one.

[shadow120]

ive built most of mine. if you go to home depo you can get 97'x49'x3/4' melamine sheets for $40 and they will cut it for you all you have to do is take it home and screw it together

@kitedemon what are you building it with? i made my 20 tub 6qt melamine rack for $40