Snake Rack System - EOI & Queries

[JungleRob]

I've been asked by a couple people to help them with a snake rack system and shall be building 'Snake Rack Systems' out of 16 mm thick white melamine to sell as from next weekend.

I'll be using semi-transparent tubs size 300 x 198 x 107 mm high ( approx. 4L ).
I've prepared a cutting list and sketches for a rack to hold 5 rows with 3 tubs on each row.
(unit size approx 630 long x 750 hi x 300 dp)
The shelf above will act as the lid for the tub below.
I'll be running heat cord rebated in to each shelf toward the back of the tub.

Queries:
-Are 15 tubs too few / enough / too many ?
-Would you rather a taller / wider rack? ie. 5rows/3tubs each row(taller) or 3rows/5tubs each row(wider)
-What would one expect to pay for a well made rack based on the above including heat cord, 15 tubs + 2 spare?

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Keep an eye out for a couple racks for sale next week.

If anyone in/near Brisbane would like me to build them a rack please pm me. Can make them to any size you need if you already have containers.

Cheers,

Rob

[elapid68]

Just curious what you're putting in 4L tubs.
As for the size of the rack, it's up to you or the person whom you are making for. It's totally a personal preference to what you want and what space you have.
Personally my racks hold 45L tubs, 2 wide and 6 high.
If you use the shelf above as a lid as you stated, you would want to make sure it's a really snug fit as I'm assuming hatchlings or small breeds will be going into these tubs and little critters can get out of extreamly small holes. then again, the tubs come with lids anyway!!!
As for the price, work out how much for materials then work out how much your time is worth. ie. it took two hours to build, your time is worth $XX.XX per hour, so 2 time $XX.XX plus materials equals total cost.

[Reptilia]

I think maybe a rack that holds at least enough tubs to hold an average clutch of snakes. 25-30 maybe. 5 rows of 5. 6 rows of 5 and so on. You could give people the option to buy as many as they want.

Say $120 for 1 shelf of 5. 2 shelfs (10) $220. 3 shelfs (15) $320 etc etc...

Just my opinion.

[JungleRob]

Elapid - is aimed at housing hatchlings, so 45L tubs would be a bit big. Your system seems simple but effective. Thanks for the lesson in calculating cost, was after an idea of what people are paying for hatchlings racks to see if it's worth my while taking this any further.

Reptilia - thanks, that gives me an idea of number of tubs and cost.