Do you use lids on the tubs in your rack?

[CAV]

That rack is extremely quick and easy. The only tools required are a drill capable of driving screws and a handsaw. (Any Home Depot or Lowe's will rip down the plywood to 2'x4' free of charge.)

It is built out of the following materials:

1"x2" lumber

2'x4' 1/2" plywood

1/4" pegboard

2 1/2" and 1" wood screws

1) The sides are built first. After determining how tall you want to make the rack, build two rectangles.

2) Cut two cross pieces to attach the sides together at the bottom. (In order to make this simple, I made each shelf exactly 4' between the sides so that a quarter sheet of plywood could be used. This eliminates the need for a table saw.)

3) Attach the bottom shelf

4) Place the tubs (I recommend using lids) you plan on using on the bottom shelf. Lay the next shelf piece on top of the boxes.

5) Mark the underside of the shelf on the sides. (This is where you will attach the next shelf) Attach a piece of 1" x 2" to the sides, directly under the mark you made. Repeat for both ends. This is clearly visable in the picture.

6) Attach the second shelf to the sides, screwing the shelf into the two peices that you attached in step 5.

7) Check the shelf height with the tubs to ensure that they still fit. Do not add another shelf without checking for clearance.

8) Repeat steps 4-6 as many times as needed to complete the rack to the desired height.

9) Once the frame is completed, the heating is wired and installed on the back of the shelf.

10) Attach the 1/4" pegboard to the back. Be careful not to puncture the heat tape when attaching the backing.


DISCLAIMER: I'm not a technical writer, and I don't play one of TV. If I've throughly confused you, Message me and I'll explain in more detail. All features, except the heat tape, are clearly visible in that photo.

 

[CornCrazy]

CAV

Do you run the heat tape along the shelf? Or vertical? I have been wanting to build some less expensive racks, but am concerned about using heat tape on wood that isn't protected. As of now,all of my racks have been built out of the melamine. I am planning on trying to build the one I pictured earlier in this thread, as well.

 

[CAV]

I run the tape vertically, equally spaced and centered behind each row of tubs.

Possibility v. Potential:

I have been working with wood for most of my life. Melamine is nothing more that lightly coated pressboard, a product with characteristics similar to plywood. The temperatures required to cause wood to actually combust would be unachievable with flexwatt, IMO. I am fairly confident that the tape would melt long before the wood ignites. FWIW, I actually solder the connections directly on the wood without incident. I have plugged in a section of unregulated tape and it didn't get anywhere near the temps of the solder gun.

On another note, running the tape vertically further reduces the risk to the animal since the tub (and therefore the snake) doesn't actually sit directly on the heat source.

I know there is nothing certain in life, but taking the time to be through with the construction of the heat system will mostly mitigate the risks. IMO, investing in a high-end thermometer/controller is another way to add a little piece of mind. A single Helix unit can contol 3-4 rack systems and costs less than the replacement cost of a specialty morph hatchling. Just a thought.