need a rack, online sources?

ashleynicole · 09-03-13, 06:58 AM

I need some referrals reliable online sources for buying a rack system for my snake. Ideally it would come prewired and include thermostat/rehostat and everything ready to go.

Displaying our snakes in aquariums was fine when we had 1 or 2, it was even ok when we had 4, but our collection has swollen to 8 now and I've got tanks tucked everywhere... They are set up with screen tops and uth's. Our oldest snake is a 9 year old corn snake, second is an 8 year old ball python. We have a california king snake, a mexican hognose, and 4 other corn snakes. We would really like a single rack that can hold at least 8 fullgrown snakes, but I think the ball python and then hognose will remain in their respective aquariums.
We are looking into trying our hand at breeding some of the corns, I have a lot of shoebox size plastic containers but if succesful we will eventually need to buy a rack for babies too.

So, anyway, I would appreciate some references to good sites to buy from online. We are going to repticon next month and may buy something there, but would like some websites and prices to compare.

Thanks!
Ashley

Mikoh4792 · 09-03-13, 07:09 AM

Why not just buy stackable enclosures?

ashleynicole · 09-03-13, 07:47 AM

because I want to buy a rack system.

Mikoh4792 · 09-03-13, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashleynicole

because I want to buy a rack system.

In that case I only have experience with RBI rack systems. I'm using the iris sweater box version that holds four snakes. Came with heat pre installed and already assembled. You just need to plug it into your thermostat and it works out of the box.

Been working fine for me for a couple months now. Although I did have to drill some holes in the tubs because the humidity would get too high.

smy_749 · 09-03-13, 10:01 AM

Being as you have quite a few snakes, and 90% of them are small colubrids, I can see why you want a rack instead of like 14 enclosures. Only one I have used is my animal plastics 4 tub one, which is very easy to put together, and comes with the heat tape but I think you need to snap the wires in place (its really easy). Dunno if it comes with a thermostat as I bought mine off craigslist, but whether it does or not, they will probably charge you the same price as the company would anyways.

exwizard · 09-03-13, 10:28 AM

Animal Plastcs is the way to go. The wait time is a bit long but the rack is well worth the wait.

ashleynicole · 09-03-13, 10:42 AM

thanks for the responses everyone, but I asked for online sources to buy these racks? you guys are telling me the names of racks and using acronyms I have never heard of??? Like what is RBI?
I use amazon prime for most of my online shopping so I don't have a clue what websites to find these items. I know what kind of rack I want and what kind of features I want... I just want to get some website links to reputable places to buy from online.

thanks!

erichillkeast · 09-03-13, 10:53 AM

Here is the Animal Plastics webpage that they are talking about.

However, seeing as you are keeping multiple different species all with different hating requirements, be sure that whatever rack you are ordering has separate heat sources and thermostats for each bin.

B_Aller · 09-03-13, 10:55 AM

Why not try modern husbandry techniques instead? Screen topped enclosures are a relic of the 1970's. My (always unpopular) suggestion would be to build proper enclosures or keep less animals. Solid topped, deep substrate, large thermal gradient......how difficult is that. I went to a big time keepers facility this weekend, just racks for days..I was so bored I couldn't stand it, who wants to see your snake in drawer? I left and went for a walk, saw some fence lizards running around chasing bugs and it was much more satisfying than seeing snakes in a drawer!
I'm sure this won't go over well, but it is my honest opinion.
Ben

Mikoh4792 · 09-03-13, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashleynicole

thanks for the responses everyone, but I asked for online sources to buy these racks? you guys are telling me the names of racks and using acronyms I have never heard of??? Like what is RBI?
I use amazon prime for most of my online shopping so I don't have a clue what websites to find these items. I know what kind of rack I want and what kind of features I want... I just want to get some website links to reputable places to buy from online.

thanks!

The one I use is from here

Reptile Products You Can Trust | Reptile Basics Inc

Many people seem to like the products made from this company. RBI stands for reptile basics inc.

Here is a link to all the different types of racks

Reptile Rack Systems: Reptile Products You Can Trust | Reptile Basics Inc

Mikoh4792 · 09-03-13, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B_Aller

Why not try modern husbandry techniques instead? Screen topped enclosures are a relic of the 1970's. My (always unpopular) suggestion would be to build proper enclosures or keep less animals. Solid topped, deep substrate, large thermal gradient......how difficult is that. I went to a big time keepers facility this weekend, just racks for days..I was so bored I couldn't stand it, who wants to see your snake in drawer? I left and went for a walk, saw some fence lizards running around chasing bugs and it was much more satisfying than seeing snakes in a drawer!
I'm sure this won't go over well, but it is my honest opinion.
Ben

Well that is what I would suggest too, but it seems some people are interested in buying a lot of snakes and giving them the minimal requirements instead of focusing on a few snakes and giving them the optimal requirements.

ashleynicole · 09-03-13, 11:51 AM

I appreciate your suggestions, but my question was not in reference to requesting information on type of enclosure or husbandry. My question was directly in reference to purchasing a rack system from an online source.

I really don't appreciate those of you who assume my husbandry is sub par. While I agree that a glass cage and a screen top enclosure is not the best, I can assure you my husbandry is top notch. Those of my snakes that need more humidity have humid hides and all of my snakes generally shed in one piece with no retained eyecaps or tail tips. I provide appropriate temperatures, clean water, substrates, and I haven't had an illness in the last 6 years... The last illness I had was scale rot on my ball python 6 years ago, I remedied the situation and got him the medical care he needed. We handle our snakes regularly and feed them appropriately so that they are not underweight or overweight.

Not that I feel the need to justify myself, but just because you think you know everything about how everyone should do things, For your information we RENT our home and do not have a lot of space to display our snakes. My husband and I are in the process of buying a house, but we are not in a huge hurry. Maybe a year, maybe 3 years, who knows? One day we do plan to build a very nice display room for our reptiles, but if you are breeding you don't have to display ALL the snakes ALL the time. We also plan on getting a license to sell as well, provided we are successful at breeding.

In the meantime a snake is not going to care whether it is in a "pretty" enclosure or not, provided its needs are met. Proper temperatures, security, water, feeding, etc.

For those that actually answered the question I asked and provided the links I thank you very much.

ashleynicole · 09-03-13, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

Well that is what I would suggest too, but it seems some people are interested in buying a lot of snakes and giving them the minimal requirements instead of focusing on a few snakes and giving them the optimal requirements.

For what its worth we are not focused on "buying a lot of snakes". We have acquired these snakes over a period of 9 years, only buying snakes we were completely interested in and researching each new breed before buying. I didn't plan on buying ANY reptiles at the last repticon but there was a beautiful male snow corn for $15, because he was already 3 years old. I couldn't pass that up and he is now one of my favorites.

Mikoh4792 · 09-03-13, 01:02 PM

Sorry i did not post that in reference to you. I was speaking of reasons why people would want to buy a rack in general. It is true rhough that racking systems allow housing for many snakes while providing the minimal requirements. I never said your husbandry was sub par

B_Aller · 09-03-13, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashleynicole

I appreciate your suggestions, but my question was not in reference to requesting information on type of enclosure or husbandry. My question was directly in reference to purchasing a rack system from an online source.

I really don't appreciate those of you who assume my husbandry is sub par. While I agree that a glass cage and a screen top enclosure is not the best, I can assure you my husbandry is top notch. Those of my snakes that need more humidity have humid hides and all of my snakes generally shed in one piece with no retained eyecaps or tail tips. I provide appropriate temperatures, clean water, substrates, and I haven't had an illness in the last 6 years... The last illness I had was scale rot on my ball python 6 years ago, I remedied the situation and got him the medical care he needed. We handle our snakes regularly and feed them appropriately so that they are not underweight or overweight.

Not that I feel the need to justify myself, but just because you think you know everything about how everyone should do things, For your information we RENT our home and do not have a lot of space to display our snakes. My husband and I are in the process of buying a house, but we are not in a huge hurry. Maybe a year, maybe 3 years, who knows? One day we do plan to build a very nice display room for our reptiles, but if you are breeding you don't have to display ALL the snakes ALL the time. We also plan on getting a license to sell as well, provided we are successful at breeding.

In the meantime a snake is not going to care whether it is in a "pretty" enclosure or not, provided its needs are met. Proper temperatures, security, water, feeding, etc.

For those that actually answered the question I asked and provided the links I thank you very much.

I did not say your husbandry was sub-par but if your idea of optimum housing is screen topped fish tanks you are a bit behind the times, like 30-40 years behind the times.
I think racks are hateful, soulless inventions personally and am bummed that more people don't see them as such or express their dismay.
It's nothing personal against you, I'm sure you are a lovely, caring person, but I disagree with you about husbandry and this is a husbandry forum so it seems appropriate.
Who said anything about pretty? I'm talking about modern husbandry vs fish tanks or racks, nothing to do with aesthetics, I'm talking about function.
To me top notch allows the animals choices, not forcing them into tiny tubs with no humidity or thermal gradient. You are certainly welcome to your opinions tough, as am I.
I do wish you the best and am not trying to single you out or flame you, just can't hold my tongue any longer about where our hobby is headed.
Thanks.