sterilite rack

[ssscales]

I started building this simple rack for under $200.00 this morning.
Still need to add 4" flexwatt for belly heat and backing, cost will still come in close to $200 with tubs. This rack can hold 21 = 12qt or 14 = 27qt tubs or a mixture of both. Everything can be found in your local hardware store except for maybe the flexwatt. It took me about 2 hrs to build.

[toker]

Nice!

How many ft of Flex watt are you putting in that?

[Kent K25]

Wow, not bad at all, how bout a materials and how to list.

[JuliusSqueezer]

Looks nice. I build mine so the totes fit without the lid though. It's nice to be able to open them half way to get a snake out or give them water without having to pull the tote all the way out.

[ssscales]

I originally planned to do it w/out lids, but decided to leave the lids on for added security for that escape artist that always finds a way out. I also wanted to be able to take out the tubs w/lids on for safety, as well as I didn't want the humidity from the water bowl or tub evaporating an possibly damage the rack itself.

I will probably run about 20FT of Flexwatt either 3" or 4". I might go with the 3" still undecided yet. Assembly was easy, just get some prefabricated shelving from your local hardware store. I used 10 shelves = 16"X 48" sheets about $8.00 each. 1-1/4 drywall screws $3.00, 12qt tubs were $2.00 each, 27qt were $3.00 each. Flexwatt will probably run me another $50.00. I sealed all the edges with silicone, I'll also raise the rack from the floor with some wheels.

I was going to go with a Zoomed 500R Thermostat for about $20.00. But decided to go with a proportional Thermostat from Big Apple for about $100.00. I think I will go ahead and wait a month or so to get the one from Big Apple. I'll also get an indoor/outdoor digital thermometer from WalMart for about $7.00.

Cost for me will come in at about $315.00 because of my choice in thermostat. You could go with the cheaper one or a dimmer and keep cost at about $200.

[ssscales]

Here is a pic of my other cages. The trick to melamine is to seal all the edges and check the seals once a year. I've had these for about 5 years and they are like new, even with a few waterbowls flipping over now and then.