My new rack

[Auskan]

I just built this rack over the past few days. Had to modify the design a bit, but ended up with the tubs horizontal, which I prefer anyway, as there is more of the enclosure that I can see at a glance. One of my first building projects, so it was a learning experience, and there are always things you can think of to do differently next time, but nevertheless, I'm pretty happy with how it came out.

[mykee]

Hey, for a first time, that's pretty DARN impressive, good job! The only problem that you might have would be having built it a tad too low, having to get down on their on your knees to see what's going on. COuld be just me though; I'm lazy. Nice work though.

[ChokeOnSmoke]

Yeah thats a nice design. I like position of the tubs as well. Looks good
What are you keeping in it and how are you heating it?
Whats its made of?

[sapphire_moon]

where do you get those clear tubs! lol. How will you wire the heat tape to heat one side of the enclosure?

[Auskan]

Its made of melamine. Since I currently live in a 1-bedroom apartment and don't have any tools for cutting, I used pre-fabricated shelves from the shelving dept at Home Depot. I had planned on getting them 16" wide but found that the widest they had was 12" which was why I had to modify my original design. Since my tubs are 16"x12", I decided to do them horizontally instead - and they are a perfect fit on the shelves. The shelves were 48" long, so 3 fit perfectly. Another 48" shelf I had the store cut in half for the ends.

Sapphire, the clear tubs I got at Dollar General for $2 each! They are sterilite, and I really like them as they are so clear. They are the sweater box size.

Right now it is heated with UTHs, (long story - I wasn't planning on the new snakes arriving until I had the heat tape wired but was sharing the shipping with someone else and he wanted his snakes right away so the snakes arrived before I was completely ready) but I have some heat tape on order and it should arrive in a few days. I will wire it so that one wider strip will heat 2 columns (right side of one & left side of the other) and then a narrower strip will heat one side of the third column.

[Invictus]

Sounds like a good plan, Auskan. Good looking rack too.

[Classic]

Nice rack. My first rack system was a monster also. My only concern is the lack of support beams at the 1/3 and 2/3 on the middle shelf. I was hopeing that the tubs would support the weight of the upper shelf and it did for a while but after awhile, it began to sag regardless. You should consider putting a few uprights at the 1/3's.

Excelent job for your first though.

Brian

[Auskan]

I have that concern too. I have a back on it and the shelves are attached pretty well to the back, and are only 12" wide, but it remains to be seen how well they will hold. I might see what I can do about strenthening the supports for the other shelves.

[sketchy4]

nice looking rack

[Chris04]

Great job Auskan.