New AP Rack Ordered

exwizard · 08-31-12, 04:14 PM

My snakes are not getting any smaller so I figured it was time to order a new rack. This rack is an Animal Plastics Sterilite 1996 with Dual Sided 11" Flexwatt Radiant Heat. The dimensions are 44"D x 19 3/4"W x 6 3/4H. I think the quart size for these tubs are 74q. This rack will have 6 tubs and Ive already got snakes assigned to them. GI Jane, Merlin, Vanessa, Arwen, Popeye and Euryale. This will take 6-7 weeks to happen and I am very excited about this. Ive had nothing but good luck with Animal Plastics and since they are located in Johnston IA, which is right here in the Des Moines metro, I can pick it up already assembled and wont have to pay any shipping costs.

snake man12 · 08-31-12, 04:23 PM

Wow I did not know 74qt racks were made.

exwizard · 08-31-12, 04:38 PM

AP has a rack with tubs even bigger than that but its out of my price range. Its called an VE175 and that pic is on the AP website in the "whats new/sales" link in the misc. section. If I had the funds I wouldve gone with that but I had to settle for this since it was all I could afford.

Gungirl · 08-31-12, 07:25 PM

Congrats on the new rack!

marvelfreak · 09-01-12, 06:33 AM

Congrats! Here a pictures showing how i set my VE175 up. The rack they are on is a 8 tall but my basement ceiling is 7.5 feet so i just set it up this way. When i get more VE175 totes i will make a third shelf for the one.

exwizard · 09-01-12, 06:28 AM

Thanks Kat.

The way I figure it, The Macks are currently in the CB70 and 1960 racks. Putting them in the 1996 rack will give them more room to grow in, especially Merlin and Vanessa since they are only 3 years old and already 6' long.

With the Dums, while Popeye isnt going to get much bigger considering his age, the girls on the other hand will. Arwen is 5 years old, 10 lbs and abt 5 1/2' long. Euryale is 4 years old, 5' long and about 5 lbs. Its time to move them up into something bigger.

Theres also the upcoming breeding season. Neither of the current racks are suitable for this purpose as there simply isnt enough room in any tub to pair them up.

Moving these snakes will also free up tub space for the smaller younger snakes to move into when their needs become more apparant. I will try my best not to catch "empty tub syndrome" but who knows? Ive said "thats enough snakes" before and they still kept coming.

Theres also the Burms to consider. They are small now but I know they wont be for long. I already have a plan to put them on a fast track into their own AP T60s when the time is right.

exwizard · 09-01-12, 07:08 AM

Very nice. I have a question concerning heating. My current racks use heat cable belly heat but this new rack will use 11" flexwatt on both sides for radiant heat. In what ways do these two heating methods compare to each other?

marvelfreak · 09-01-12, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exwizard

Very nice. I have a question concerning heating. My current racks use heat cable belly heat but this new rack will use 11" flexwatt on both sides for radiant heat. In what ways do these two heating methods compare to each other?

So with the heat cable belly heat i am guessing it's only on the bottom. So it would heat them from the belly up. Were the flexwatt on both side would heat them more evenly. Here's one way to think of it.

Belly heat is like taking a hot shower which ever side is facing the water is going to get most of the heat.

Radiated heat is like sitting into a hot tub the heat surrounds you in turn warming you up easy and faster.

exwizard · 09-01-12, 07:40 AM

Works for me! Im glad I went this way with the new rack then. I was also concerned with the extra length of the heat cable and the possibility of failure due to any type of pinch. At least with flexwatt, they can custom cut the length to fit the rack.

exwizard · 10-10-12, 11:02 AM

The new rack should get here, according to Allie at Animal Plastics, by the 26th of this month. *fingers crossed*

Snakefood · 10-10-12, 11:26 AM

great purchase ex!! Hope it all gets to you as expected. I'm gonna have to get another rack system going for my Balls ASAP, maybe with my show profits as I just spent my snake savings on Poitash's vet bill!!

exwizard · 10-10-12, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakefood

great purchase ex!! Hope it all gets to you as expected. I'm gonna have to get another rack system going for my Balls ASAP, maybe with my show profits as I just spent my snake savings on Poitash's vet bill!!

Yeah I understand that. Since I moved out on my own, my snake collection has grown even to the point where some of my snakes are at Rmf's house. Some of my snakes are beginning to outgrow the CB70 they are now in. This new rack will make housing my snakes more comfortable for them as well as more efficient overall considering ALL my snakes will be in my bedroom.

Snakefood · 10-10-12, 12:03 PM

Ya, I wouldnt want any of my snakes to be at someone elses house. That would suck!! right now, big rack system in between my kitchen living room for my corns, and viv's in my bedroom for my B/P's, but I cant fit any more viv's in my room. So once my mohave is home, I have no more room for BP's until I get a rack system going.

rmfsnakes32 · 10-10-12, 12:06 PM

Well its only short term and you can see them everyday if you want its only a few blocks away

exwizard · 10-10-12, 12:14 PM

I know and I'm not complaining. I'm just really looking forward to this new rack.