New Rack

[Loren]

Yeah, I like them. I've had many people scoff at bricks and books saying they arent secure. Well, I got rid of my petstore-bought "made for reptiles" lids after way to many escapes- even with the clips and additional bricks- cause they just flex too much. I had a 3 foot long kingsnake escape from a tank with a storebought lid that was installed correctly. Another time, my wife found a long nosed snake in the underwear drawer(no, I'm not making a joke).

My home-made lids are 5/8" thick wood and do not flex at all. Put a brick in the middle, and they aren't moving. Larger snakes in my larger 20g long tanks get larger bricks- probably 3 times the weight of those shown. Keep in mind, my snakes(at least the ones in aquariums) are mostly colubrids in the 1-3 foot range- no large constrictors.
When I leave the room for the day, all I have to do is glance down the line of tanks and make sure all the bricks are in place. Absolutely no escapes(knock on wood), unless I forget to close a tank, in which case it doesnt matter what kind of lid/lock you use. I have a dead bolt locking the reptile room, so I dont really worry about keeping other people or animals out of the cages.

I would love to have the sliding-top terrariums, but I pay 8 bucks for a small tank, 25 for a larger one, and make my own lids for cheap- versus 50-75 bucks for tanks with sliding lids. Plus I would have to special order them to open the long way. Also, I use 1/4" hardware cloth, which is stronger, and lets much more uv light through for the lizards.

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

ive found some instructions on how to build an eight high cb 110 rack that i think will be good for my adult hondurans (much better than the recomended cb70 rack) ive been gathering the materials and tools and if i get it working ill post pics (also progress pics)

[Loren]

Originally Posted by reed_Kamsler

ive found some instructions on how to build an eight high cb 110 rack that i think will be good for my adult hondurans (much better than the recomended cb70 rack) ive been gathering the materials and tools and if i get it working ill post pics (also progress pics)

Reed, I built a 5 tall cb-110. If you havent bought the tubs yet- heres a link Ace - Ace Tree: Home Goods: Storage & Organization: Totes, Carts & Drawers: Iris® Underbed Storage Box (100501) - 5 Pack (I cant believe it but the link is still good a full year later). Back when I bought them in late 2006- I got free shipping to the local ace hareware, and just picked them up. It was the cheapest I could find them, especially considering shipping.
Here's pics of mine. Let me know if you have any questions. These tubs are Huge! I did the open sides for 2 reasons, 1- they allow more visibility and light, and 2- they save on weight. I only use the bottom 2 tubs right now(for my 2 largest gophersnakes), which each have an 11"x12" flexwatt panel in the rear wired through a dimmer switch. When I built it, I didnt really need it, I just wanted to build it cause it was cool. I'm sure I'll need the other tubs for something.




Here's one in the reptile room- I had just finished the rack that is on top of it- 32 qt sterilite 8 tub rack. If you look close, you will see my 2 hondurans in the second to the top tubs. Its kind of a unique arrangement, with the tubs pulling out in different directions, but it works for where I have it- in the corner.

[drache]

Loren
thanks for all the great ideas
I'm starting to think I should get a day job at the container store

[tikichick]

LOL, what did your wife do when she found the snake in her drawers (pun intended, lol)?

I hate those store bought clips... too hard for me to get in and out of the tanks and I've had problems with them cracking the plastic rims. I've weighed mine down with anything handy. I'm moving my garters from a 10 g to a 40 g soonly and I need to hunt down a couple more bricks so it'll look uniform. I think I'll decorate them, too, lol

Originally Posted by Loren

Yeah, I like them. I've had many people scoff at bricks and books saying they arent secure. Well, I got rid of my petstore-bought "made for reptiles" lids after way to many escapes- even with the clips and additional bricks- cause they just flex too much. I had a 3 foot long kingsnake escape from a tank with a storebought lid that was installed correctly. Another time, my wife found a long nosed snake in the underwear drawer(no, I'm not making a joke).

[tikichick]

I love that rack on wheels!! Very nice!

[Loren]

Originally Posted by tikichick

LOL, what did your wife do when she found the snake in her drawers (pun intended, lol)?

She handled it fairly well- she kinda screamed and told me there was a snake in the drawer- I didnt believe her. Finally I looked, and sure enough!
That was in our old tiny house, when I kept all the snakes by my side of the bed. Didnt have quite so many then though.

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

ok ive decided on what im going to do, im going to buy pvc sheets online and do what Loren did except its going to be pvc so it wont burn, can i tape down the flexwatt? and where can i find 10 watt 11inch instead of 20 watt 11inch?
thanks,
reed