such thing as a plexiglass rack?

[VI Reptiles]

Hi, is there such thing as a plexiglass rack? Im just wondering because I was thinking of making something like it.

[marisa]

It would be pointless.

Plexi glass scratches EASILY. Any working around it like you would be in a rack would ruin it in a couple months. Looks wise anyways. Besides plexi doesn't hold heat like wood does. Another reason it wouldn't make much sense.

I am not sure what you even mean by "plexi glass" rack though in the first place. A rack is simply a shelf system, heated, to hold rubbermaids in rows/colums for easy access and housing for snakes.

Marisa

[VI Reptiles]

I mean like a rack made out of plexiglass and the boxes.

[Jeff_Favelle]

Whyw would you make the rack out of plexiglass? I can see the boxes being plexi-glass (even though Rubbermaids are cheaper), but why bother with the rack itself?

[arkuden]

i think the boxes being plexi would be quite cool. Hard to clean but cool. Im not a fan of rubbermaids for the sole reason that i like to be able to see the snakes habitat and conditions with out opening the top or anything. Then again i only have one snake so it wouldnt be sensible for me to have a very nice rack system .

BTW: can anyone give me a link to any sites that make custom snake cages? I would like something designed to keep in some humidity and heat and ive heard a lot about these custom enclosures. Thanks


Paul

[VI Reptiles]

I see what you mean jeff, im just brainstorming for ideas my dad might like. Im gonna make the rack out of cedar and the boxes out of plexiglass. might even try to sell a few.

[Tim_Cranwill]

Cedar is toxic to snakes. DON'T use it!

[Jeff_Favelle]

LOL, this keeps getting better and better.

[VI Reptiles]

what to make the rack out of? there not gonna come in contact with it even or is it like breathable poison

[marisa]

Yes. The "fumes" cedar lets go are not good for ANY animals. This is mentioned on about every single husbandry page in the world. Start doing your reading.

Better choices would be plywood (sealed) or melamine. For the boxes/tubs themselves, rubbermaid would be the way to go. You can go ahead and use plexi glass but you will not like the way your rack looks in about 6 months. The boxes/tubs will be 100% covered in scratches. Plexi scratches like CRAZY easy and it will all look like garbage once this happens.

Marisa

[VI Reptiles]

ok, well I was thinking that cedar wasnt bad unless actually coming in contact. The thing is my dad likes more natural enclosures but I dont want big aquariums sitting around. Anyone got ideas? I dont wanna spend more then 100.00 on it. no specially constructed containers like visions.

[marisa]

You can use other types of wood. To make it look more like furniture, but it will have to be sealed properly.

Nice white melamine racks are good looking IMHO, but I hate the look of wood so I am biased. :)

Marisa

[nita]

Building a custom rack you will spend more than $100.00, regardless. If you are only building one enclosure you might make it for under $100.00 but only if you can make it out of one sheet of wood.

[Jeff_Favelle]

Building a custom rack you will spend more than $100.00, regardless.

Nope. If you don't include the Rubbermaids, I can build an adult BP rack for like $70 and that's including the heat tape. I just built THREE adult Chondro rack systems and they only cost $55 each and that was WITH the heat tape. Racks are cheap. The Rubbermaids that go in the rack will cost you more.

[Dom]

Just throwing an idea here but .. How about a plastic rack with containers in it .. Same marterial as the vision tye cages..

I wonder how well that would work ..

[MichaelBoyko]

Hey Jeff, I'd be very interested in seeing some pics of that enclosure!

Also, a run down of how and what you made it of... I'm looking to build a rack system myself and I'd love to see your's!

THe two male ball pythons you sent my way in April are doing great btw!

Thanks from Michael

[Jeff_Favelle]

Mark Mandic has an awesome how-to for the same rack design on his website. Its a super common design and almost everyone I know uses it. Go too www.ballpython.ca to check it out.