Hatchling Tubs

[MarkS]

I havent listened to reptile radio yet but remember a few months ago the scare of melamine from china? Only makes sense when used in racks.

The melamine used in racks is melamine resin which is the plastic coating on the wood. The melamine used in the China food fraud fiasco is melamine powder that has been added to food items such as wheat gluten and milk powder.

The reason that melamine is added to food is because it is very high in nitrogen content. What is looked for in food to determine protein levels is the nitrogen content using certain chemical tests that they run. The higher the nitrogen content of the food item, the higher the protein level. Melamine powder is added to the food stuffs to fake a high protein content so that they can use cheaper fillers and additives and still appear to have a product that will pass inspection for acceptable protein levels even though the actual content is much lower.

Melamine in high enough levels has been shown to cause liver damage. So in addition to consuming a product with no food value because it's protein content is a fake, you're also damaging your liver.

However, there is a big difference between ingesting a chemical and living in a rack manufactured using it as a coating. And as I said before, I've got a melamine rack with snakes that are 15-20 years old and they appear no worse for the wear.

[rabernet]

OK - if you listen to Reptile Radio - Dan speaks to this around 55 minutes into the show. He said the following - I took notes! LOL

In 1995, they were using all melamine racks, and they had a lot of sick animals, enough sick animals to be concerned with. Someone suggested melamine racks being the culprit.

So, they had air tests done inside the racks, and the lab called them and said "where exactly are you testing this?" And Dan told them "uhhh, snake racks" and he was told that the formaldehyde levels were at levels that would kill a human. He said he still has the test results somewhere that he can pull up.

Take it for what it's worth!

[mxrider42]

At 57 minutes in the show Dan says that as long as you are not notching the heat into the wood everything is okay.
Trey

[J.Vandegrift]

Thats where I am leaning, $3.29 each but I also like the length. Beats $9.00 for FB tubs. Not as good as 6qt for $1.00 but I am feed up with 6qt. What material did you use to build this $$$$$?????

I used melamine, but I did end up covering the underside of the melamine with clear contact paper because no matter how many holes I put in the tubs the humidity was starting to make it swell slightly. It has been fine ever since.

[Muze]

Big Lots here has that size for around $2 each.

The material is melamine.

Big Lots rocks for stuff like this.

[nixer]

At 57 minutes in the show Dan says that as long as you are not notching the heat into the wood everything is okay.
Trey

so im guessing its in the wood not the melamine. its purpose it probally to inhibit insect infestation like alot of insulation is.

i think most of us are not routing heat tape in our melamine and are just using back heat. does anyone know if it was test that way as well or not?