A few years ago I found myself needing a rack for large tubs, but I didn't want to spend the kind of money to purchase one and I didn't want to buy more tools so I could follow most of the build guides out there. I will share the solution I ended up deciding on. It requires few tools or skills and while it isn't the least expensive method, it is very cost effective.
Supply List:
I purchased all of these supplies at home depot except the totes which I picked up at target. The build could not be easier. Place piece of melamine on a flat, even surface. Place two of the studs next to it and clamp them to the melamine. Repeat for the other end. Set one of your sterilite tubs on top of the melamine. Stack two of the 4"x"4 cardboard squares on each corner of the tub so that the tub will slide properly once the build is finished, then set another piece of melamine on top of it. Predrill holes and then use the drywall screws to secure the studs to the melamine and continue up for as many tubs as you have (moving the cardboard to the next tub as you go). When you're done, use the top shelf to hold supplies or you can flip the whole rack over (carefully, use two people) so the "legs" are on the ground. Add your heat tape and thermostat and you are all set.
These are some of the longest tubs commonly offered at department stores and will support medium to larger sized terrestrial colubrid snakes. The reason I use the premade melamine shelves is they are always the same size so it eliminates needing to accurately cut materials and the need for cutting equipment and proper blades for melamine. If you're going to make dozens of racks, purchasing this equipment makes sense. If you're like me and have a few of these racks, going the easy route and buying precut also probably makes sense. I have been using these racks for a few years now and there have not been any issues with sagging. The three weaknesses of this design are as follows: 1) if you misjudge where to put the screw through the stud, then you can crack the melamine so be careful there. I have found the melamine still generally works fine if this happens but it depends on how bad the miscalculation was and you may have to replace a piece if it is really bad. 2) If the rack needs to be moved, use two people since it works great if stationary but is not able to withstand a lot of give while in movement and you can crack the melamine if it suddenly shifts if you stumble or otherwise loose control of it. 3) The sides are open so it is possible a tub could shift to the side and become exposed. This can be remedied by screwing a piece of wood across the sides or even taping some aluminum foil down the sides. If you completely close off the sides, it will likely hold a small amount of heat but will also reduce airflow. This rack has the following advantages 1) Requires very limited tools and skills to build 2) Is less expensive than purchasing a commercially designed rack 3) Can be built from locally sourced materials. Wait times on purchased racks is often several weeks.
In the end the decision to buy or build is always a trade off of time versus money, but with this easy build you can save time and money.
Supply List:
- Drill
- Drill bit (I had 1/8" which was a little too small and 11/64" which was slightly too large, so choose something between those)
- 2"x4" Studs (get the straightest ones you can find)
- 3/4" 23 3/4 x 47 3/4" melamine
- #9 2 1/2 inch drywall screws (#2 Phillips Driver)
- Sterilite 1996 underbed totes
- Large clamps (3' or more)
- Cardboard cut into 8 4"x4" peices
I purchased all of these supplies at home depot except the totes which I picked up at target. The build could not be easier. Place piece of melamine on a flat, even surface. Place two of the studs next to it and clamp them to the melamine. Repeat for the other end. Set one of your sterilite tubs on top of the melamine. Stack two of the 4"x"4 cardboard squares on each corner of the tub so that the tub will slide properly once the build is finished, then set another piece of melamine on top of it. Predrill holes and then use the drywall screws to secure the studs to the melamine and continue up for as many tubs as you have (moving the cardboard to the next tub as you go). When you're done, use the top shelf to hold supplies or you can flip the whole rack over (carefully, use two people) so the "legs" are on the ground. Add your heat tape and thermostat and you are all set.
These are some of the longest tubs commonly offered at department stores and will support medium to larger sized terrestrial colubrid snakes. The reason I use the premade melamine shelves is they are always the same size so it eliminates needing to accurately cut materials and the need for cutting equipment and proper blades for melamine. If you're going to make dozens of racks, purchasing this equipment makes sense. If you're like me and have a few of these racks, going the easy route and buying precut also probably makes sense. I have been using these racks for a few years now and there have not been any issues with sagging. The three weaknesses of this design are as follows: 1) if you misjudge where to put the screw through the stud, then you can crack the melamine so be careful there. I have found the melamine still generally works fine if this happens but it depends on how bad the miscalculation was and you may have to replace a piece if it is really bad. 2) If the rack needs to be moved, use two people since it works great if stationary but is not able to withstand a lot of give while in movement and you can crack the melamine if it suddenly shifts if you stumble or otherwise loose control of it. 3) The sides are open so it is possible a tub could shift to the side and become exposed. This can be remedied by screwing a piece of wood across the sides or even taping some aluminum foil down the sides. If you completely close off the sides, it will likely hold a small amount of heat but will also reduce airflow. This rack has the following advantages 1) Requires very limited tools and skills to build 2) Is less expensive than purchasing a commercially designed rack 3) Can be built from locally sourced materials. Wait times on purchased racks is often several weeks.
In the end the decision to buy or build is always a trade off of time versus money, but with this easy build you can save time and money.
