Hatchling Rack Ideas

[GeckoMandi]

Ok I need some ideas, I have searched around the forum but I need a smaller hatchling rack, that holds 8-10 babies. I need it to sit on top of my current rack without being to high. I don't want use to mealmine again because it's so friggin heavy but if I have to I guess I will.

I thought about using those plastic storage shelves with drawers, but I have heard that aren't escape proof anyone use these? I also wondered how I would run the heat tape with the sliding drawers?

Here is my current rack, it can hold 16 adults in 28 qt sweater boxes, as of right now I have 10 adults so that leaves room for 12 babies in shoeboxes but in the coming months I'm going to need another rack just for hatchlings.
I'm going to venture to home depot tonight to see what I can find, in the mean time any pics, help would be great thanks!

 

[PrototypeGeckos]

Hmm, only thing I could think of (and you might not want to do it, because you I think you like the room they have) is to put the adults you have in smaller tubs (16qt or even 12). I keep my adults in 12 quart unless they are really big geckos then I use larger. Doing this would free up more space in the rack. It looks as if it is a pretty large rack and I don't see why you could get atleast 12 adults on one side and a ton of babies in 6qt tubs on the right hand side of the rack. Ofcourse you would have to move the heat tape up as well, but it wouldn't be too bad. Maybe thats something you like, thats all I could think of at the moment, without going the melamine route again.

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

The drawers work fine for hatchlings but I have had a couple escape in 3 years as adults. Its usually from the kids opening a drawer and me not seeing it til its too late though. Ill have ot find the pics of how to hook up heat tape with drawers for you, its really easy.

 

[GeckoMandi]

Thats a good idea. I would love to see the pics, if it doesnt work,I will get Mike to do his crafty work!

 

[Reptile_le00man7mm]

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I make a mean rack eh??!!! I guess ill make the new one out of MDF or some other fine/smooth composite, shouldnt be to bad. I need to start selling these.. lol.
I think i said that one there would be the last one i make.. anybody else remember that?

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

Its honeslty cheaper to build a proper rack, the smaller drawers are 11x17x7 and you get the set of 3 for $8-10 then the heat tape. You can build something cheaper. I did a 4'x4'x4' with heat for like $100. O only got those drawers because Emily was a newborn and they were easier for me than building at the time.

If Mike can build you soemthing, Id do that, but Ill take pics for you just in case, they are light and fairly cheap. Im working all week so Ill get them as soon as I can, I can't seem to find my old ones.

 

[GeckoMandi]

Hmm, only thing I could think of (and you might not want to do it, because you I think you like the room they have) is to put the adults you have in smaller tubs (16qt or even 12). I keep my adults in 12 quart unless they are really big geckos then I use larger. Doing this would free up more space in the rack. It looks as if it is a pretty large rack and I don't see why you could get atleast 12 adults on one side and a ton of babies in 6qt tubs on the right hand side of the rack. Ofcourse you would have to move the heat tape up as well, but it wouldn't be too bad. Maybe thats something you like, thats all I could think of at the moment, without going the melamine route again.

Well the rack was made to fit 28qt and will hold 6qt, 12 won't fit into the rack because they are to high.

I may just go with melamine again, I don't know.

Wendy whenever you can get those pics, that would be great, thank you so much!

 

[justin-branam]

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I make a mean rack eh??!!! I guess ill make the new one out of MDF or some other fine/smooth composite, shouldnt be to bad. I need to start selling these.. lol.
I think i said that one there would be the last one i make.. anybody else remember that?

i wouldnt use mdf. it absorbs moisture and will expand way to easily. melamine is your best choice, or if you want to spend the money, foam pvc board is a good bit lighter (but also about $120 per 1/2" 4x8 sheet)

 

[Reptile_le00man7mm]

MDF does swell with water, as does all wood, however i used mdf for the top of this other rack cause i ran out of melamine. I get it free, and it works fine as long as there is no water. And there hasnt been any probs with it. Free sounds better than melamine for a temp hatchling rack.