Need some ideas for terrarium "rack" or "shelf"

[RedSidedSPR]

I know i haven't been on much, our wireless was down, and then I just kinda didn't come on much . It's kinda hard when you don't have a computer... My iPod doesnt run the new site well at all.

Anyway, as I've said before at some point I plan on putting all my snakes together in one cage, or separating them into three's (hmm would need another snake... Gee... lol) either way I'll have some tanks leftover and I can't leave them empty! I have very limited room, floor space, etc, I coulndt fit more than I have now without putting them, or some, on a rack or shelf...

Problems I have are heat lamps -- I would need to be able to put heat lamps above the tanks in each shelf...

I would need access to lid, or else have to buy front-opening cages...

Stuff like that.

I do not intend on using any tubs, belly heat, or using less space for snakes, for my sake. I need a way to fit multiple cages, with all the same setups, lamps and all.

Also, I'm in no hurry. This will probably not happen until next year, but I need to know what cage(s) to get, and have an idea what to build. (or buy I guess)

[Light of Dae]

Hmm Maybe build a shelving unit rack thingy lol basically where you can place your tanks on top of each other, but place the tanks on their sides so the opening easy to get at, Find some plexi-glass or old windows an make top hinged doors with a secure latch on the bottom! and as far as heat, you could make the selves wide enough to put lamps on the side shining in a corner, or under tank pads.

Just what I would probably do in your case, Cheapest thing that would work n use what you got.
Oh and you could put those eyelet thingys on the outside of the doors with a simple clip on the adjacent support :) Just to hold it open when so desired.

[kibakiba]

You could use heat tape insead of a heat lamp, or a strip light.

[infernalis]

10, 15 and 20 gallon tanks slide off the shelf easy enough.

I stack them tight, then just sit them on the floor for feedings and maintenance.

a strip of flex watt or UTH pads eliminates bulky basking lamps, then use tube lights or LED lights.

http://www.rockyroost.us/Chomptober/corner.jpg

[katach]

That's a really cool set up.

[Light of Dae]

Kool Kool I was thinking just lips on the shelves to hold tank in place...

[tress29]

How handy are you?

DIY Front Opening Aquariums - CornSnakes.com Forums (http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77387)

[infernalis]

those look awesome.

This stack put 8 in the footprint of 2

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/PG1/images/1roomlabeled.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

Light of Dae I thought of that. Turning them on their sides....

I like yours Wayne. Simple and cheap.:p but I didnt want to do underheating.... I've always read that's not as beneficial, especiallyfor garters... I like my lamps, and do my snakes... Plus it keeps the cage lit.

I dunno. I got months to think about it, though, no hurry.


How handy are you?

pretty darn.:D not sure about those though...

[kimbosaur]

I had a friend keep a filled aquarium (I'm pretty sure 10 gallons, but possibly 5.5) on one of these:

http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/images/products/lack-wall-shelf__60203_PE166207_S4.jpg (http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/10159099/)
Even though it was probably incredibly risky to have THAT much weight on it, and she was probably incredibly lucky to have it last for very long with no accidents, I am fairly sure you'd be able to find one big/sturdy enough to hold a terrarium. If it were to work, then it would take up virtually no floor space and can be visually appealing too.

[RedSidedSPR]

You're saying just a shelf on the wall? HUH. didn't even think of that!

Anything special about that wood or are jut saying a big piece of wood like that?

[chris-uk]

Sticking a shelf on the wall the brackets and wall plugs are more important than the wood you use for the shelf. Almost any piece of wood or MDF will do the shelf, but you want to be sure it won't be falling off the wall. Depending what sort of wall you fix to there's all sorts of fixings, I'd use heavier rated fixings than the weight of your tanks just because I prefer to overkill when it's holding something I care about.

[chris-uk]

Not sure what depth your vivs are but this sort of shelving units is pretty flexible, if you have an Ikea near you.
OMAR 1 shelf section - IKEA (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S69829083/)
We like Ikea, we have a bunch of their shelves around the house.

[RedSidedSPR]

Hmmm I like this idea... Thanks Chris

Still leaning toward a rackish thing. I just remembered Richard had something so I searched for it, and I like this --

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/chucknkelly/b7eb7e20.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/chucknkelly/4422e914.jpg

[brain]

I built this unit for a good friend of mine here in Washington. It was a monster unit.

There is aan 8" section about each of the habitats and thats where I placed heat lamps which used a 50 watt bulb. I was surprised that that was engingh heat to maintain 80 degrees in the boxed habitat section.

you can also see the 4" hole at the bottom which gave access to a pull out tub. He ahd Black Texas Rat snkesa and a Bal. I wounder if he still has it ????




http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//723/thumbs/0_010.jpg (http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/showphoto.php?photo=10047&title=0-010&cat=723)

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//723/thumbs/0_012.jpg (http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/showphoto.php?photo=10048&title=0-012&cat=723)

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//723/thumbs/0_005.jpg (http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/showphoto.php?photo=10046&title=0-005&cat=723)

[RedSidedSPR]

Hmmm, I like that. But it doesn't hold many cages, and has less room for lamps and stuff, and i don't do tubs. May use somethibng LIKE that though. Thanks for the idea

[chris-uk]

I'm thinking about getting my dad to make me either 3 modular stacking vivs, to a design I'll get him to agree to without seeing the design.
Or the alternative is a custom shelving unit that is made to hold Exo Terra vivs. The trouble with shelves we can buy is that they tend not to be 45cm deep to hold a viv, and it would need holes in the right places for ventilation and wiring.
I'm not sure if we'll go for plan A or plan B, but I will keep an eye on this thread to see if there are any ideas that influence what we do.

[RedSidedSPR]

I'm liking this. Simple, cheap, expandable, etc...


Hmmm I like this idea... Thanks Chris

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/chucknkelly/b7eb7e20.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/chucknkelly/4422e914.jpg