This Should Keep Me Spending For a While

[Leopardbreeder]

Well, I finally got some pictures of my new rack that I finished a few days ago. I used 1 FULL (no scraps at all, it was great) sheet of MDF. I used ~25 feet of 4" flex-watt. I ran it continuously so I only needed one set of connections. I used 4 2x4"s for the sides. I used cut 2x4"s in between each shelf to stop it from bowing and to add more support.
I have a dimmer on it now (I do add both the dimmer and thermostat. I run the dimmer at 1/2 so if the thermostat fails, it will now spike to 160*.), but it will be replaced with a thermostat as soon as it gets here. The boxes have a 1/6" gap between the rim and the wood. It slides nice and doesn't allow crickets out (not that I ever use crickets regularly anyway).
I am going to have a stop by step guide on my new site as soon as I get it done. Once again, its no beauty, but it does it jobs.

Enough explanation, Here are the pictures::

 

[GoGo]

Is it supposed to be tilted like that or is it just the angle of the picture?

 

[Leopardbreeder]

angle of the camera, I was too lazy to pull the tripod out.

 

[Leopardbreeder]

O yea, BTW if anyone has an ESU or Alife thermostat for sale, I need one.

 

[paulnj]

Looks pretty good for an open air rack to me. It may not be pretty, but should do the job in a temp regulated room. I would suggest getting some 1/4 backing on it to keep the tubs from sliding in too far. Also how are you keeping the flexwatt secure and you really should have it farther towards the back for a proper heat gradient

 

[Leopardbreeder]

Its packing tape that is holding it down, I have had good results with it. It is about 3/4 of the way back. I will see if I need to move it. The front have temps of 80* and the hot is 90*. Thats enough right?

 

[paulnj]

sounds good to me, I just like my tape 2-3 inches from the back so the tub is hot in the back and warm up front.

 

[Leopardbreeder]

Well, I do that too, but from bad planning, I don't have much of an option. The supports are in the way. Paul, check your PM's.

 

[rhino43grr]

O yea, BTW if anyone has an ESU or Alife thermostat for sale, I need one.

http://blvdreptiles.com/product_rev..._id/4?osCsid=95ed5365af43bf97c0c6c46a2bc54901

$16.17 ALIFE 1000, i've been pimping this deal every chance i get because it's so much cheaper than anything i've seen. it's where i got my thermostat, i think shipping's around $10 maybe less.

 

[CSgecko]

where do you get the money to pay for this stuff if ur onlt 15? and how do ur parents let u? i no that building a rack dosnt cost that much but fillin it up does.:main_thumbsup:

 

[Leopardbreeder]

I have my ways:main_thumbsup: . I don't even have a job! Once football season is over, I am going to have plenty to spend with my money. My parents are going crazing about all this stuff, but its better than dolls I guess. lol Is it?

 

[Leopardbreeder]

Thanks for the link, I just bought 2 thermostats and 3 digital indoor/outdoor thermometers!

 

[trizzypballr]

If you move the tape back farther you would get gradients of 90 on the warm side and 75 on the cool side which is alittle more desirable ;-)

 

[GoGo]

He said because of the supports its really not an option.

 

[mrcsk8ter44445]

man looks really good cant wait to see the plans i'm sure to be in need of one of these as my collection grow,, im curious thugh to what the total cost was?? and what size tubs your using??

 

[Leopardbreeder]

Total WITH bins is about $150. I got the bins MORE than 45% off because they where on clearance at CVS. They are the almost same bins I had made the plans for, they where about 1 mm shorter. They are 16 qt. sterlites. I don't have the # of the bin on me.

 

[mrcsk8ter44445]

thats cool ,thanks

 

[dprince]

Matt, good job!!

 

[Leopardbreeder]

Lol, I still need more bins. I bought out all of CVS stock. I dont want to pay full price again.

 

[GoGo]

They have lots of sales on bins like that at staples, but i forget if they count them by quart or gallon. A while back we got 4 i think it was 8 gallon containers from them and the containers are awesome with lids that have little locking things on 2 sides.