Rack Advice Needed asap

I need to buy a rack within the next couple weeks. I need at least 10 levels/tubs. I was looking at the 10 tier racks by apcages as they seem to be highly recommended on here. Also is the economy racks by them, I would need to buy 2 though and end up with 12 cages. The price would be about the same as the 10 tier. Are there any cons to either of these units? Does anyone have pictures of their setups with these racks? If I am going to spend 600 dollars I want close to the best. Any advice, comments, help would be greatly appreciated. I also wanted heat advice. I was going to go with belly heat, is this the best option. THANK YOU, Lindsay

ps. The economy cages have no sides and back. Would the lighting be a issue? Or keeping in heat be a problem? I am thinking the economy cages would do best in a warmer room, for example a reptile room?

Pss. How stable are the tall units? Is it better to buy 5 level ones and get 2 of them and stack them? Sorry for all the ?'s. Just looking for advice from experienced keepers. I know some of you have to be using racks!!!

I use JP's Open Air Econo Racks. They're made of high quality plastic (no bowing) and they have closed backs to keep heat in.

http://junglehabitatsplastics.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=13_16

If you can't find something you need, you can always email Alan and he'll give you a price.

I have one AP economy rack, and I love it. I find there is no heating issues. But the room its in is constant at 75 degrees (thats just how that room is, no regulating needed). I havent noticed any temp fluctuations of the rack. And it is already set up with belly heat (which was very easy to assemble). I only have this one rack though, so may not be the best opinion you can get. Hopefully others will chime in

I have three of the 12 tier AP Racks and will be getting another soon (as will my dad). I love them. Haven't had any issues with heating and they're actually pretty easy to put together. Harder to move once they're together but it's possible. The 12 tier racks are 6' tall so it's not quite as easy to see the top (then again I'm 5'9") but I put my easygoing snakes up there and it's not an issue - I just pull the whole bin down. I like the fact that I can switch between the two size bins (Iris shoeboxes and bootboxes) if I need to. As soon as we have more space I'll definately be getting more.

~Katie

P.S. - I'll try to find a pic but our computer with all our pictures on it is dead right now...

:-offtopic Thanks for the link! I have been looking for the spiral vents for my viv project. BTW your avatar rocks!!

LM,
I recently got a rack system from Animal Plastics and I like it. We are planning on getting a couple of more over the summer. As everyone has stated they are easy to put together. It took me less than an hour with my electric screw driver running out or power on the last piece. It was a fun little project to do on a cold Saturday night. The instructions were easy to follow, the heat rope was already assembled.
Now a downside to these Rack systems and to many others as well.

The tubs, I would get them before you get your Rack. It will make things easier for you. The one place that I have found them and I looked all over here in Minnesota was at Target. AP has a link to their website and you can order them there if Target isn't near you. So the website helps as best that it can.

Another thing you will need to get is something to regulate the heat. The site has a few links to what they recommend as a great thermo regulator. From what I have read here at this site they are both pretty good brands. I believe that jungle habitats has a nice cheap one at his site. I am not sure how good his brand is. No one here has stated.
Now I needed one for myself and when I got the heat rope, i realized it had the 3 prong power connector. Well I went to 2 pet shops that I am treated very well. I went first to my herp shop, she does not sell thermostats. She sells the rheostats. But those did not suit my purpose. They were only designed for heat mats and for 2 prong power connectors.

So I went to my second petshop. He sells fish and other critters. I bought my all-glass critter cages from him at cost. So I was there to ask him and his wife since she is the construction person in the family if she knew of a thermostat locally I could buy for it. The husband told me he may have something and pulled out a Thermostat Heat Controller by CA reptiles. He was using it on a tank for heating. He handed it to me and said it was mine.

I was very happy at that, after all it was free. I haven't hooked it up yet, my herp room is pretty warm right now. But I am wanting to test it out soon. Once if finish buying all the tubs for the rack.

Another item you will need to buy is a digital thermometer. You can buy one either at walmart, target, or any hardware style store for around 10 bucks.

Some helpful links.
http://www.careptile.com/

Does anyone know of a good place online to order heat tape/pad material?
I'm going to be building a large rack system for 8+ corns and 2 Brazilain rainbow boas and don't know where to find heat tape/pad. I don't want to pay the high cost of pet store exoterra stuff.

antsterr said:

Does anyone know of a good place online to order heat tape/pad material?
I'm going to be building a large rack system for 8+ corns and 2 Brazilain rainbow boas and don't know where to find heat tape/pad. I don't want to pay the high cost of pet store exoterra stuff.

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I have seen this place recomended here and folks say the prices are about the best.
http://www.beanfarm.com/store/agora.cgi?cart_id=4072301.23649*uE7Ll4&product=Heating&user4=Flexwatt

Oh I just wanted to post this and I think this would be a great place to do it.
I went to Target yesterday and they were having the 1754 and 1756 Tubs on sale this entire week. I got them for $2 off a piece. It was a pretty good deal I picked up 8 of the larger tubs and 2 of the smaller ones. I cleaned them out of the tubs. Check your area Targets, they might be on sale as well.

Guess I should have mentioned...Racks from JP include tubs and heat, no need to run all over the place looking for the right size.

tricksterpup said:

Oh I just wanted to post this and I think this would be a great place to do it.
I went to Target yesterday and they were having the 1754 and 1756 Tubs on sale this entire week. I got them for $2 off a piece. It was a pretty good deal I picked up 8 of the larger tubs and 2 of the smaller ones. I cleaned them out of the tubs. Check your area Targets, they might be on sale as well.

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I DID THE SAME THING!!!! I bought a bunch of tubs. And I cheated and i got a cabinet with two adjustable shelves and doors. i left the doors off and had it set up in less than an hour. it fits 6 of the smaller sterilites...15 Qt and under. great for my little guys.

Thank you for the help everyone. I have e-mailed AP a couple times about their 10 tub rack, I am anxiously awaiting a reply. I heard they have good customer service, does anyone know approximately how long it takes to receive a response? I am in dire need of a rack soon, but I had a few questions first. Thanks, Lindsay

LindsayMarie said:

Thank you for the help everyone. I have e-mailed AP a couple times about their 10 tub rack, I am anxiously awaiting a reply. I heard they have good customer service, does anyone know approximately how long it takes to receive a response? I am in dire need of a rack soon, but I had a few questions first. Thanks, Lindsay

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Lindsay,
Usually with in 24 hours but I think Fridays they are working in the shop. So it may take a bit longer. But once you order it takes about a month to get it. We are planning on getting a few more racks from them through out the summer now. One for our geckos and others for the snakes. I am also looking at a new cage for my Boa from them as well.

REMEMBER FOLKS This is the last few days for the Target Sale.. Look for your tubs.

Another option that I haven't seen mentioned is Reptile Basics.....We're about to buy several of Rich's racks for the geckos.....I like these alot mainly because he uses Iris tubs which in my opinion are much easier to clean, the corns are all in homemade racks but we still use Iris tubs in those also. When I was searching for rack systems I found his were very well priced.