28qt rack build - Page 3

Norm66 · 12-24-11, 11:21 PM

Two CDs. Just taped the ends a bit differently. Hard to explain and I didn't take pics. Mor secure is all.

candyraver69 · 12-25-11, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm66

I really don't think so Rob. The snake would have to be sticky or something to get any purchase on the melamine surface. There are dozens of folks using this basic design over at the other forum (not sure if I can mention it here per the rules) where I got the idea and nobody has reported any escapes as I'm sure they would.

All that said I'm actually trying to come up with an idiot proof latching system more to prevent us from doing something stupid than the snake pulling a jailbreak. Something that will click or snap maybe into place when the tub is pushed in all the way but yet isn't a large pain in the rear. I'll come up with something.

I have been using a similar design to house my 2010's and it's been escape proof so long as you don't forget to slide one in and there isn't too much of a gap at the top. It's a little tricky to get the spacing just right if you aren't inclined to building things (like me) but not too bad. I have one tub out of 10 that is a pain in the butt to pull out because it's too tight and I intend to fix it but haven't yet lol.

Your rack looks great! It looks like you used that melamine strip to hide the wood. I want to get that for mine because it looks so much better, but for right now there is bare wood at the front and back. The only thing I would change if it were me would be the heat strips. I would put more shorter strips towards the short end to get a larger heat gradient, but I don't think it's 100% necessary to change.

**millertime89** · 12-28-11, 04:48 PM

Norm, got a question for ya.
What are you currently using for substrate in your tubs?
If wood chips of some kind: (if not ignore the following questions)
how thick do you have the substrate (approx. inches)
how high are your thermostats set
what are the enclosure temps.

Thanks man, appreciate it. I'm looking to change my thermostat set ups and need some more info.

Norm66 · 12-28-11, 07:14 PM

Kyle, I started with cypress in two, coco husk in two and Jungle Earth in two. I wound up pulling it all out because it was all way too wet and the humidity was over 90. So right now I'm mixing it up and letting it dry and using newspaper. But I fully intend to go back to using cypress and/or coco husk (didn't like the jungle earth) I just need to let it dry before using. The paper is 3 sections deep. With the cypress I'm going about 2" thick. Any less and it doesn't cover the floor of the tub very well.

My thermostat is set at 108F. The hot part of the tubs is between 90 and 94 (depending on which tub) and the cool side is between 78 and 82. I'm toying with the idea of putting a curtain of some sort across the front to let the ambient temp get higher and be able to turn the thermostat down. Haven't decided yet.

Let me know if there's anything else I can help you with.

**millertime89** · 12-28-11, 07:38 PM

Thanks Norm, that helps a lot.
What I did as far as the curtain idea, I just used a thin afghan blanket with small holes all over with something heavy in the corners and center on top to hold it in place. Mine is more for hiding the snakes than it is for keeping temps up as I've got the lids on my tubs.