Want a rack but maybe my room is too cold?

[JRLongton]

So, I've had great luck with my first corn snake and want to get a BP in the near future. I've ordered another T8 from animal plastics and another RHP from Pro-Products. My herpstat is a two channel so once it all arrives I'll be good to go.

I can see this isn't going to stop at one more snake and can easily see keeping at least two or three more in addition to the coming ball.

The "snake room" is actually an invasion on my wife's craft room. I'm going to be able to get away with a second T8, but I doubt a third will fly, and I dare not even suggest a forth!

A more practical solution would be a small rack of three or four tubs. I understand that balls generally do better in tubs anyway. Then I could keep the display snakes in the two T8s and the more low key serpents in the tubs.

The ambient temperature of the snake/craft room hovers around 68 F in the winter. Of course in the summer it's warmer as I refuse to have central AC. My wife will not tolerate a space heater in that room as she doesn't want to sweat when she is working on her projects.

Ah, the compromises of married life.

Now the obvious question. Can a small rack like I described heat up the tubs enough to overcome the ambient temp of that room? What if I got a PVC rack enclosed on three sides? What if I put lids on the tubs? How about if I used flexwatt on the bottom and both sides of the rack?

Thank you all for any help or suggestions offered.

[Regius_049]

The "snake room" is actually an invasion on my wife's craft room. I'm going to be able to get away with a second T8, but I doubt a third will fly, and I dare not even suggest a forth!

It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission. Just explain that the stack takes up the same amount of square footage with respect to floor space. PowerPoint presentations are encouraged.

[bcr229]

I would have a second strip of heat tape installed in the front of the tubs. During the winter run the one in back at 92*F, the one up front at 82*F. The back and sides of the rack should be enclosed.

I also find that draping a towel or baby blanket down the front/open side of the rack helps keep the heat inside if for some reason my house ambient temp gets too low.

[JRLongton]

Just explain that the stack takes up the same amount of square footage with respect to floor space.

If only floor space were the issue! My beachhead is limited to the top of a shelf that is otherwise occupied with my wife's crafting implements. The second T8 will be stacked on top of the first. A third would be doable, but that would be getting kind of high and a bit precarious for my liking. The three tub rack I have in mind would have a small enough foot print that it could be placed in another room.

Good suggestion though!

[JRLongton]

I mean, another part of the room, not another room.

[ScottS]

I had the same issue, cool room in the winter seldom gets above 70 - log house with wood heat. Animal Plastics recommended side heat and back heat in a six bay rack. It maintains temperatures just fine.

[frankhermens]

I was just about to ask the exact same question for a Ball rack. Thanks for your answers! I love this forum!

[frankhermens]

PS: I just ordered my rack with two heatpads. One in the front and one in the back. I'll be setting it up with two separate thermostats. One for the hotspot and one for the coldspot. Rack enclosed on three sides. Very curious as to how this wil turn out when I set it up!