Sorry if this is a dumb question but I haven't seen a rack in real life except the one I built. My question is about the spacing between the shelves. I use the lids with my tubs and I was wondering if you guys prefer having a small gap between the lid of the tub and the shelf above it, or having the tubs fit very snuggly into their slots?
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Question for people with racks
- Thread starter Mary-Beth
- Start date
Roy Munson
New member
Mary-Beth said:
I prefer to use the lids for a number of reasons. My AP racks allow for this. Not all racks do. With the lids, the tubs fit VERY snugly into the shelves.
carol
Down with the sickness
I've experimented with them all and tubs with lids that fit snug into the rack has been the only system that is escape proof. It is less convenient than going lidless, but I got tired of playing "find the missing snake". Also the lids protect the wood from moisture that can condensate on the top of the tub when you have a lay box in with them or when they push their water bowl to the warm side of the tub.
Drizzt80
Dakota Corns
I'm lidless, and have always been. I haven't yet had an escapee, but in building the racks myself, the tubs fit snug. I went with this system because I anticipated irritation and frustration at having to pull the tub most, to all, of the way out to get inside to feed, do daily checks, water, change bedding etc. Using melamine, I haven't had condesation problems with the wood . . . yet.
D80
D80
Jeff Linkchorst
Snake Rambler
I use the tub with lids , except for 1 slot is extremely tight.
:-offtopic I'm a little disappointed with the thread not what i was expected :shrugs: :sidestep: just a joke
:-offtopic I'm a little disappointed with the thread not what i was expected :shrugs: :sidestep: just a joke
ghosthousecorns
Well-known member
I had escapees and now I use lids, except in the bigger tubs with snakes that couldn't get out of a gap (and even then I sometimes wedge cardboard under the tub to make the gap smaller. A lesson I had to learn the hard way! I went with lids even when I built my own, I don't trust my own carpentry skills. I guess it would be a hassle to pull the tub all the way out if I had 100's of snakes but I haven't got enough to make that step so time consuming in my maintenance that it's not worth the extra security.
Joejr14
Grand Bubble Burster
I use lids and binder clips. I'd rather 'waste' the extra time and effort to pull a tub out, take off the clips, and then take the lid off and have the peace of mind in knowing that there will be a snake in that tub. There is simply no way that a snake is getting out of a snug rack system that has lids and binder clips---just not gonna happen.
I'll sacrifice convenience for no escapes.
I'll sacrifice convenience for no escapes.
Chris Olson
Evolved from Eukaryotes
I use racks without lids......but I construct them VERY carefully. There is no gap between the top of the container and the next shelf. I use pre-fab melamine shelves and they slide in and out easily. The design I'm using now is the result of alot of mistakes though and and several escapes. I also use Boaphile Rhinoraxx.....and I can tell you that you need to be careful about the size of snake you put in each slot.....the spacing is very inconsistent and I've a couple of escapes. I love my Boaphiles but I trust the ones I build myself.....
Chris
Chris
Joejr14
Grand Bubble Burster
Build my own, Brent. But my racks are not full shelving, either. I didn't need full shelving or an enclosed rack unit because I don't any extra heat here in Florida. As such, I saw no reason to spend a ton of money on melamine and make my rack weigh 500lbs, so I went with 1x4"'s and they've done an awesome job.
I'm moving up north next month, but will still employ the same type of rack and use lids. Just makes me feel 10x safer.
I'm moving up north next month, but will still employ the same type of rack and use lids. Just makes me feel 10x safer.
El Jefe
Mark 16:18
Lidless is the only way to go. I build all my own and so far melamine, 1/4 inch plastic, and tileboard have worked the best. Even with condensation I do not have any moisture problems that can't be fixed with a wipe of a towel. Plus, cleaning is easy as bleach can be used on these substances as well.
I'd have to say melamine is my favorite as I can make grooves for my heat cable and the lidless bins can be pulled in and out with ease.
I'd have to say melamine is my favorite as I can make grooves for my heat cable and the lidless bins can be pulled in and out with ease.
Piper
New member
I built my racks myself as well. They are both melamine & the lidless tubs fit quite snugly. I have not had any moisture problems. The melamine surface is easy to clean with a diluted solution of chlorohexadine.
The small rack uses small size Iris 1 1/2 gal boxes measuring 13 9/16" x 8 1/16" x 4 5/16". It has a reinforced bottom with 4 casters if I need to move it.
The adult rack holds #184327 Iris 9 1/4 gal boxes measuring 33 1/2" x 17 3/4 " 6". My adults LOVE those =) plenty of room. If I need to move this one I'll need to recruit my husband to help
*Darlin' can you help me move this 500lb rack* :grin01:
:smash:
The small rack uses small size Iris 1 1/2 gal boxes measuring 13 9/16" x 8 1/16" x 4 5/16". It has a reinforced bottom with 4 casters if I need to move it.
The adult rack holds #184327 Iris 9 1/4 gal boxes measuring 33 1/2" x 17 3/4 " 6". My adults LOVE those =) plenty of room. If I need to move this one I'll need to recruit my husband to help
*Darlin' can you help me move this 500lb rack* :grin01::smash:
carol
Down with the sickness
Condensation had not yet become a problem when I decided to go with lids but I was always worried it would be a problem over the long term.
One other reason I decided to go with lids was it gave me one more barrier if one of my animals had come down sick I didn't have to worry as much about possible "germs and such" crawling along the melamine roof from one cage to another. This probably makes no sense and I'm sure the reasoning could be shot down, but it still makes me feel better. :shrugs:
Using lids also allowed me to use cheaper wood than melamine to create my last two racks. I like melamine for many reasons but I was short on cash and I wanted something lightweight that was easily moved. I was able to use very inexpensive wood since the lids would be in place.
As far as convenience, the lids work pretty well for my set up. My snake room is not that large and my racks are set up in a U shape with a work table right in the middle of the U. My racks also go from the floor to just above six foot (much taller than I am). My work table is perfect height for me to work on. Very few tubs are at a height that is comfortable to work at. When cleaning them, I find it much easier to pull them each out and put them on my work table than when I used to clean them where they were. Otherwise I'd be bending over or kneeling on the ground to clean the bottom ones, and on a step stool to clean the top ones. Constantly having to move my papertowels, spray bottle, and trash can with me. At the work table everything stays in the same place and is at hand.
It also makes rearranging a snap.
As far as feeding, most of them I just pull out enough to be able to throw in a mouse and having that lid there has saved me a few times from the ones that "leap out". The lid is already under a bit of pressure since the tub isn't entirely pulled from the rack and when they try and escape I can let the lid gently pin them until I can call for assistance from someone who doesn't have mouse smell all over thier hands. Or I just grab a paper towel roll and lift the lid back up and "encourage them backwards" with the papertowel roll.
One other of my crazy reasons is if I ever have to evacuate my house and I actually have time to consider the snakes (or some of them), they are ready to go. But that's more of a plus than a reason why. :crazy02:
One other reason I decided to go with lids was it gave me one more barrier if one of my animals had come down sick I didn't have to worry as much about possible "germs and such" crawling along the melamine roof from one cage to another. This probably makes no sense and I'm sure the reasoning could be shot down, but it still makes me feel better. :shrugs:
Using lids also allowed me to use cheaper wood than melamine to create my last two racks. I like melamine for many reasons but I was short on cash and I wanted something lightweight that was easily moved. I was able to use very inexpensive wood since the lids would be in place.
As far as convenience, the lids work pretty well for my set up. My snake room is not that large and my racks are set up in a U shape with a work table right in the middle of the U. My racks also go from the floor to just above six foot (much taller than I am). My work table is perfect height for me to work on. Very few tubs are at a height that is comfortable to work at. When cleaning them, I find it much easier to pull them each out and put them on my work table than when I used to clean them where they were. Otherwise I'd be bending over or kneeling on the ground to clean the bottom ones, and on a step stool to clean the top ones. Constantly having to move my papertowels, spray bottle, and trash can with me. At the work table everything stays in the same place and is at hand.
It also makes rearranging a snap.
As far as feeding, most of them I just pull out enough to be able to throw in a mouse and having that lid there has saved me a few times from the ones that "leap out". The lid is already under a bit of pressure since the tub isn't entirely pulled from the rack and when they try and escape I can let the lid gently pin them until I can call for assistance from someone who doesn't have mouse smell all over thier hands. Or I just grab a paper towel roll and lift the lid back up and "encourage them backwards" with the papertowel roll.
One other of my crazy reasons is if I ever have to evacuate my house and I actually have time to consider the snakes (or some of them), they are ready to go. But that's more of a plus than a reason why. :crazy02:
SevierSerpents
Sevier-ly Stripe Crazy
We use Rhino Raxx for our corns. Even though they're designed to be used without lids, we still use them for each bin.
When you have 5 cats, you tend to be overly careful.
When you have 5 cats, you tend to be overly careful.
dionythicus
Kiss My Hearse
I use Ikea shelving units. They aren't tight enough for the tubs to fit snugly with or without lids. I use small bungee cords on the largers tubs. It's inexpensive and I'm used to the system. It would drive others nuts, I'm sure.
Kitty
You rang?
I'm still really new, but for what it's worth ...
We built racks to be used lidless. After two escapes (and two recoveries, thank goodness!) in six weeks, I'm removing shelves so I can use lids and clips. Like others, I'd prefer the more secure feeling and don't mind the extra time fiddling with the boxes.
We built racks to be used lidless. After two escapes (and two recoveries, thank goodness!) in six weeks, I'm removing shelves so I can use lids and clips. Like others, I'd prefer the more secure feeling and don't mind the extra time fiddling with the boxes.