Some Q's Regarding Racks

[Desdemona]

So, my next gecko related project will be to have a rack for future hatchlings. I think I'll try the DIY method since the racks I looked at for sale where a bit pricy.

What size containers for hatchlings?

How do you know the plastic container that you buy can handle the heat without putting off any fumes? Are there known good clear containers that are completely clear not the usual milky white of rubbermaid type boxes?

How about wood or varnishes type of things? I don't want to make toxic substances since there is heat involved.

I might go with the metal shelves you can buy at Target and adjust. I already have two sets of them for storage and they work really well. Since they are adjustable I could make them fit any size enclosure I happen to buy.

 

[notacoshells]

You probably can use a 6 quart tub for hatchlings. You can get sterlite ar iris tubs to hold them in. office depot has iris tubs on their website or you can go to the container store and target has sterlite and so should walmart. For your design your going to have to measure carefully because the dimensions for sterlite are different from iris. You should not have any problem with heat and fumes if you have heat tape that is regulated by a probe or else if it gets to hot your gecko might die or the plastic will melt. I hope this helps except i don't really know anything about making toxic substances with the wood fininish and heat.

 

[Desdemona]

I use HydraFarm heat pad regulators on all of my gecko enclosures so would probably do the same.

Do you think a metal shelf would work if the heat tape was insulated from it with cork board? I have two shelves that I use already to store some heavy items (so plastic tubs would be no sweat) and they are fully adjustable. The only tricky part might be the 1" lip.

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[sunshinegeckos]

You would need to make sure that the heat tape is grounded and it doesnt touch the metal at all which you can achieve with the silver HVAC tape. I would still be worried about it though but I worry about stuff like that lol

 

[Desdemona]

I didn't even think of it as a conductor, I figured there had to be something since everyone seems to use plastic or wood. Its probably doubly sad that I am in the middle of teaching a very basic electronic course and even talked about grounding, briefly, with one of the students.

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[BrightReptiles]

I use 6at tubs from home depot that are actually labeled shoe box. They are very clear compared to sterilite and have clear lids as well.

Here's a pic, sorry, they're on a shelf for 16qt tubs LOL, new baby rack in the works.

 

[Tempest09]

There's a resin sort of like polyurethane but thicker that you can find at most hardware stores. Me and my mom have used it to refinish the tops of wood furniture to "baby proof it" against spills and scratches. It's a little pricey but it's smooth and self-leveling and nearly indestructable (we even used it as a cutting board top on an island and not one scratch). To top it off once it dries it's completely safe and non-toxic. If you used something like that you could use whatever stain or paint you wanted and just seal it with that.