Setting up a rack system

[emandkel]

I got a Reptile Basics 8-tub rack like Pluke has and am in the process of setting it up. I wish the tubs were a few more inches wider and taller but they are ok. I have to decide what I can put it on to get off the floor / higher and then whether to go with coco fiber or foam, or some of each (decisions, decisions).

One concern I have is basically the heat. I have ornates, fantasies, cranwelli, joaz, along with my apple (cranwelli/joaz hybrid). The thermostat keeps all tubs at the same temperature. I know some like it a little warmer (like joaz) and some like it a little cooler (ornates). I'm thinking maybe drilling some small holes in the tub fronts to help control the heat with a little more ventilations. Any ideas/advice would be appreciated.

With the cooler temps in my home I've had trouble getting the temperature up in the frogs' current homes. I know this move to the rack system will be best in the long run in controlling temperature as well as humidity for the frogs' homes.

[Pluke]

I'm afraid to drill holes in mine in fear I might lose too much heat. I think the crack in the top is fine for ventilation, as of right now. As far as extra heat.. maybe you could plug the holes between the tubs or something so it holds more heat back in the tubs with frogs who need more heat. I really don't know about what you could do to get extra heat in a rack.

Edit: Just to clarify, for example, you keep your caatingas on one level and to raise the heat, you put a sock of some kind of insulation between their two tubs so no air escapes through that middle area, you could plug the sides too. I don't know if this is a fire hazard or not though, I'm not too sure how safe this heat tape is. It looks very well put together though.

[Ra]

I would use the eleven inch heat tape and place it on the back so that it goes from the top but not all the way down to the bottom, so that it will only cover a portion of the back of the lower tubs. Place the thermo probe in the middle tubs. Less heat will reach the bottom tubs, and more heat will rise and build up for the top tubs. It will take some fudging around with the thermostat to get it just right but it should make that few degree difference.
But really, all of the frogs will do just fine if you set the warmer area to be around 80-82 generally.

[Maharg]

I tried respondong to this last night but I see my answer is gone now. Stupid glitchy phone. As Ra said, if your temp is 80 all your frogs should be fine. My heated reptile room is 80 for my Fantasy and Ornate. They both seem very happy.

[emandkel]

Thanks for the responses on this. I'll just leave it for now with the same temperature range. I got it set up and running and put the frogs in yesterday evening. Some were trying to get out -- understandable with the change. I think (hope) that once they get settled in there will be no frogs attempting to jump out when I go to feed them (ha ha). Most of them settled in a back corner (where it is the warmest).

Anyway ... a few pictures I took a few minutes ago. I may have to rethink my 3 thin layers of foam as some can manage to get under one or more layers, but at the moment all my horned frogs are on foam. My apple decided she wanted her water dish in the middle, lol (actually she moved it when she was jumping at the front to get out -- maybe in a few days or less I may move it back to the front and see what happens).

Enjoy the pics

My apple in her bowl


Hiding cranwelli


Rack system plus a few medium-sized Kritter Keepers (3 still in use) -- plus a dog crate, used as a stand for the Kritter Keepers, lol. The whitish areas on the front of the tubs is condensation on the inside front of the tubs, caused (I think) by the cooler temperatures in the room (along with the humidity inside the tubs).


Hopefully sometime in the very near future I will find a low stand to put the rack on -- right now it's on 2 x 4's which only gets it up about 4". Ideally I think I want it up on something around 18" high. My dogs aren't in this area when I'm gone, so it is a little less "traffic" than where some of my frogs were previously.

[Pluke]

Glad you like the rack man, I know I'm really happy with mine. You think the ventilation in the tubs is enough? I'm still debating whether to drill holes or not. I don't really want to because I don't want to lose heat, so far my frogs haven't showed any signs of distress and it's been about a month. You could always look for an old TV stand or something as a shelf, maybe check local junky antique malls or something for a decent stand/table. I use some kind of old wooden shelf my dad had laying around.. he collects antiques and junk, I think the shelf looks pretty good. The shelf I'm using comes up to my waist which is perfect.

[emandkel]

Glad you like the rack man, I know I'm really happy with mine. You think the ventilation in the tubs is enough? I'm still debating whether to drill holes or not. I don't really want to because I don't want to lose heat, so far my frogs haven't showed any signs of distress and it's been about a month. You could always look for an old TV stand or something as a shelf, maybe check local junky antique malls or something for a decent stand/table. I use some kind of old wooden shelf my dad had laying around.. he collects antiques and junk, I think the shelf looks pretty good. The shelf I'm using comes up to my waist which is perfect.

Well, I figure a few small holes may lower the temp on the cool (front) side but may increase the temp on the warm (back) side to compensate for the heat loss. I figure I can put clear tape over them if it makes the temp too cool, or if the holes are small enough (say around 1/8") put a bit of silicone in the hole to seal it up (but then you'd have to house the frog in another container temporarily until it cures ... or if you have "extra" tubs change it out until the silicone cures). I may try to find or order a couple of extra tubs as it will not only help in cleaning but also if I start putting holes in them I'll have an easy backup tub to use.

I need to figure out the average humidity level and then go from there. I think holes would not only help a bit with ventilation, but also lower humidity if needed. I don't think it is too good to have it above 80% (fungus/mold possibilities I think) but then again the frogs seem to be ok kept in shallow water all the time so I don't know.