Rack system questions

[Froggiefressh]

So I see people using plastic rack systems my question is what is used to heat each drawer up too 84 degrees or do people keep the racks in a climate controlled room? Very confused about this, I'm hoping to make one if possible I have the plastic crate rack. The kind someone would use for clothes or something..but if anyone could give me input on this I would really appreciate it

[Zamboni]

I really like vision racks......all the snake racks I use either are heated with heat cable or heat tape, which is run the same on each level.... you will need a thermostat to control and maintain proper temps

........ Or you can make a rack super easy, then run heat tape along the back(instead of belly)

But now if your using heat tape/cable should make sure the 'rack' is heat safe and wont warp or melt you mentioned plastic crate -wonder if you mean the all plastic drawers like at target ...if so you'll want to be careful running heat in those, I wouldn't recommend it ..just for safety reason

Vision Products

now if you do have a room that stays rather warm/humid like in Cali/florida you wont need to run heat...

[mikesfrogs]

I will post pics of a few rack types that I use.

[ramp]

Well this realy got me thinking of building a rack too.
Got some questions though.

What size box is best (in inches or centimeter please) for adult frogs? For baby-juvenile frogs?
Do you use a box with or withouth a lid?
What to use as substrate; paper towel, aquarium sponge, spagnum, coco peat, ... ?
What material is best used to build the rack, does it need separations between boxes?
What abouth light, does anyone use it on pac's?
How to use best the heatcable ot heatpads on the back?

[Zamboni]

white rack is a 'sideways' 5 slot drawer rack with heat tape, Also showed my old school stat(15yrs old) and probe mount- good thing about these is you can run 3 size of tubs-6qt, 15qt, 32qt(which are sold at wally world)
Black rack is made by visions and run off heat cable-very nice well built racks..there are many companys to check out or build it yo self

****when using heat cable/tape very important to have a temp gun to accurately monitor temps...also very very important to secure probe so it cannot move off tape and spike the heat****



I am using belly heat with my frogs on my rack and it works fine, I check temps daily while I'm clean....

[GrifTheGreat]

Well this realy got me thinking of building a rack too.
Got some questions though.

What size box is best (in inches or centimeter please) for adult frogs? For baby-juvenile frogs?
Do you use a box with or withouth a lid?
What to use as substrate; paper towel, aquarium sponge, spagnum, coco peat, ... ?
What material is best used to build the rack, does it need separations between boxes?
What abouth light, does anyone use it on pac's?
How to use best the heatcable ot heatpads on the back?

I don't have a rack system, but to answer your question about anyone using lighgs. I do. my tanks are heated by a UGH(Under Tank Heater) and 50 watt incandescent bulbs in a Fluker's Farms 5.5 inch clamp lamp with dimmer switch. Having a dimmer switch when using basil g lamps with your frogs is very important because it allows you go accurately control the amount of heat and light produced by the bulbs. wattage should be no lower than 25 watts and no more than 50 watts to prevent harm to your frogs eyes and skin.

Mainly lights are only necessary if you do not have the frog in a room that is neither warm enough or bright enough for day/night cycle and correct temps.

[pac]

i use rack from walmart and tubs and i heat with a space heater and i take them outside sometimes for extra humditiy and heat

[ramp]

If temp. could be maintained , would LED lighting do?

[GrifTheGreat]

If temp. could be maintained , would LED lighting do?

I would assume that they would suffice for the day/night cycle as long as they were the correct color of lights. Like white or yellow for day and blue or red for night.

[ramp]

I would assume that they would suffice for the day/night cycle as long as they were the correct color of lights. Like white or yellow for day and blue or red for night.

Over here in Europe we've got some special daylight (white combination) and nigth = blue LED sets, specialy designed for frog enclosures. So they should be ok, but a bit expensive.
At the moment I already use the blue LED's on my Fantasy-frog terrarium with no bad effects.

[GrifTheGreat]

Over here in Europe we've got some special daylight (white combination) and nigth = blue LED sets, specialy designed for frog enclosures. So they should be ok, but a bit expensive.
At the moment I already use the blue LED's on my Fantasy-frog terrarium with no bad effects.

That's good. Another member uses LEDs for his Dart frogs at night. Josh(JTeezy) and his Darts are doing great.

[Froggiefressh]

I live in Michigan and my herp room temperature is around 80-84 degrees. If I were to make my own rack for my pacmans I wouldn't need a heat source at the moment?
Those vision racks look awesome! I'm going to have to look into getting one of those ferrsure! Mike I would love to see your rack systems, The reason I posted this is because of the picture you posted with all the drawer looking tubs of pacmans you have!

[ramp]

Yes Mike, please some pics of your Rack systems.

[Ra]

i use rack from walmart and tubs and i heat with a space heater and i take them outside sometimes for extra humditiy and heat

What kind of space heater? Is it expensive to run?

[pac]

I don't no what type it is but leave with my parents since I'm 17