Suggest a rack.

[Fenderplayer108]

I have just about every vision rack out there, and I want to try something different. Anyone have any other company suggestions?

Price Limit, 650 w/ shipping, it needs about 20-30 tubs, yearling size.

Thanks.

 

[Roy Munson]

I have just about every vision rack out there, and I want to try something different. Anyone have any other company suggestions?

Price Limit, 650 w/ shipping, it needs about 20-30 tubs, yearling size.

Thanks.

I'm an Animal Plastics guy myself, Ryan. Their regular 1754(10) rack is a ten-shelf rack that can hold 20 15qt. Sterilite tubs (ideal for yearlings), or 10 32qt. Sterilite tubs (good for adults). And of course, you can mix those sizes in the rack, so it's pretty versatile. It's my favorite rack. It would be about $475 including shipping. Here's a link:

http://www.animalplastics.com/

They also have the same rack in the "Economy Plastics" version (open sides and back). It's about $100 less than the regular version. I have two of these coming to me this week. The 1754(10) Economy model isn't listed on their site, but they make it.

 

[ghosthousecorns]

http://www.nsreptiles.com/
Here's the link for the Nature's spirit ones, I've heard good things about them as well but I think they don't make ones as big as what you need.
(You'll have to click on the snake shacks link on home page)

 

[tricksterpup]

http://www.nsreptiles.com/
Here's the link for the Nature's spirit ones, I've heard good things about them as well but I think they don't make ones as big as what you need.
(You'll have to click on the snake shacks link on home page)

I gotta say I am with Dean on the Animal plastics racks but Nature's Spirits.. well I am very partial to their Incubators and If I had some spare cash I would pick on up but first racks and cages.

 

[Flagg]

Has Animal Plastics added a larger Economy Plastics rack? The website still shows only the one model, the 6 slot 1754/1756.
I've got 2 of those and they're great, but I've been hoping for a larger tub economy model, like a 41 qt.


Edited to add - Sorry missed that remark about it not being on their site. They said they were designing new models, I had hopedf or more than just a taller version of the same rack.

 

[ratsncorns]

AP makes a 66qt 5 slot economy rack (Nanci has two), the 32qt one thats on their site in a 6 slot model or a 10 slot model. You would have to email them to get prices on the 66qt and 10 slot 32qt models though.

I love my AP rack. Ryan, I don't think you could go wrong with the rack that Dean suggested. They are very nice! I just wish the economy rack didn't come with heat cable. I wish it had a flexwatt option.

 

[KJUN]

Vision racks are great, but the air holes being in the top can be a BIG problem if you ever end up with a sick snake (assuming the process is contagious). Check RBI, too. Those are the strongest built racks that I've ever dealt with.

KJ

 

[Nanci]

Has Animal Plastics added a larger Economy Plastics rack?

This is the rack I have that is not on the site, but not a special order.

Sterilite 1758 (5) EP 66 qt Comes in black or white. $240 with heat, shipped.

I have a second one coming tomorrow.

It's definitely not suitable for baby snakes- the gap is about a quarter inch. The bins _will_ fit with the lids on, but too tightly and they scratch it. So this pic is when I first set it up, then I gave up on putting babies in it and took off the lids and put a bunch of adults in there.

 

[Jessicat]

I recommend Animal Plastics as well. Extremely sturdy and reliable racks. Installing the heat wire is a pain in the butt, but that is my only complaint. My oldest AP rack is over a year old now, and no complaints here!

 

[Jessicat]

Crap, sorry for the double post. Gotta renew my membership once I get my paycheck.

Nanci, I was real worried about the gap in between the tub and the rack as well when I first got my AP rack. I went lid and all for a long time. I recently decided to do away with the lids because of the condensation build up I was getting. The gap is way too small for even a young snake to get out of. I still keep my really tiny babies in smaller containers until they're on fuzzies - hoppers. I do have some smaller snakes in one of my racks right now with the lids off though, and no escapees!

How's the condensation factor for you? My alternatives were... drill more holes, or go lidless. Well, what would you have chosen?

 

[pgr8dnlvr]

Well, as far as your original question, all I can say is that I just purchased 10 boaphile ball room racks and am very happy with them. I've never been so spoiled! The price however is probably way out of range of what you are looking for...

Now I'm interested in these animal plastic racks as well. Does anyone know, if you follow the links they have to tubs on their site, is the price on there plus shipping? Are the tubs being shipped from animals plastics or is it simply a link to an online shop that does carry the tubs.

Do these racks need assembly after you get them? What about the heating methods, do they use heat tape or what? Anyone have pictures of how the heat is set up with their AP racks?

Thanks,
Rebecca

 

[ratsncorns]

Rebecca, the racks do not come with the tubs. You can buy them at Target or from the links on their website. They are shipped from the website you order them from.

The racks do not come assembled, but AP provides excellent instructions and they are very easy to put together. Took me about 10 minutes for the economy rack. The economy racks are heated using heat cable. There are groves in the shelves and the cable goes under the groove. I am not crazy about it because it is way in the back end of the tub, like the last 1". I wish it went further in. The regular AP racks come with a flexwatt option I believe.

 

[KJUN]

How's the condensation factor for you? My alternatives were... drill more holes, or go lidless. Well, what would you have chosen?

I always encourage topless, but I'm off topic.

Seriously, to everyone, instead of drilling holes, MELT them if you haven't tried that yet. $8 soldering guns will melt the holes faster than I can drill them, will NOT split the cage like you can with a drill, and doesn't put those TINY hairline cracks (like a drill will) that have been known to PINCH a snake's tongue. I've seen hatchlings and adults get their tongue cut in a crack i couldn't see with my bare eyes. Hatchlins tend to lose their tongues (and many die). Thankfully, I managed to save the tongue on the male. Sooo, it DOES happen. I had trouble believing it on adults until it happened here.

Try melting the holes, and few people regret switching. You even get so you like the smell of melting plastic....ALMOST....lol.

KJ

 

[Nanci]

How's the condensation factor for you? My alternatives were... drill more holes, or go lidless. Well, what would you have chosen?

I'm not using the lids. I haven't had any condensation, even when I moved it across the room and all the waters spilled. I've had excellent sheds on everyone in there so far, though!

 

[Nanci]

Do these racks need assembly after you get them? What about the heating methods, do they use heat tape or what? Anyone have pictures of how the heat is set up with their AP racks?

Thanks,
Rebecca

They ship flat so the rack doesn't get broken. Super simple to assemble- they even tell you what setting to put the drill on so it doesn't screw the screws in too far. The holes are recessed and very nice. Every piece has a label. There are two sheets of instructions, plus their phone number.

The Economy Plastic rack has a heat cable that goes in slots starting on the top shelf and zig-zagging its way down. You need a three prong to two prong adaptor for most thermostats. You need a thermostat- it gets HOT. But because of the placement of the cable, I have my thermostat on 91 or 93F or something.

I'll take pics of the heat when I put the new rack together- it's supposed to get here today.

 

[KJUN]

For the record, RBI racks come bolted together AND glued for stability. They are IMO one of the strongest/steadiest racks available. ...and the DO replace a rack if UPS damages it. They do seem to use a dull pbade on some of the cuts because a tiny amount of clatter is noticed, though. Since the back are molded single pieces - not just screwed together - they are exceptionally strong. ...probably TOO strong......lol.

Vision comes flat, but it only took me about 45 minutes to set up my last adult rack (24 cages for something like $850 shipped). Running the heat tape just right takes another 20-30 minutes. No screwing. 6 wheels and 6 bolts - no nuts. I believe these are the cheapest per cage prices out there for anything even half as strong. You can also make adjustments to use various size tubs in the future - or different tubs on the same rack! Very versatile. The air holes in the top are the reason I no longer purchase their racks. Dust shoots out and in of those holes like crazy. In a small collection, who cares? In a large collection, that is just too much dust in one room. If a snake gets sick, dust from its cage WILL land in the cage of another snake. They REALLY messed up putting the airholes like they did. PLUS, if you take a snake out and put a new one in that spot, it is pretty much impossible to clean the top to the necessary levels due to those air holes.

I did complain and the guy asked me why I wanted to use air holes in the side since "that was how they did it in the '70's. I asked why he had to change something that worked for something worse JUST because he wanted to change something? He mumbled something, so I laughed and told him my wife was a vet and could always right an article on why top holes were less safe in large collections. We laughed, and I placed my order for more tubs. They really are fairly decent guys, and the racks are almost perfect. Their tubs are phenomenal. I just ordered another 175 of their V-35 tubs. I'm throwing away good RubberMaids and replacing them with the V-35 tubs. I think those tubs are just THAT high quality.

KJ

 

[wade]

KJ, help me out here. What is a v-35. What is so good about them and where are your throwing your rubbermaid tubs?