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Plastic Rack Advice Needed

C

CJBianco

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Hello, Everyone. I'm looking for a little advice on a plastic rack system. The rack system must be (A) plastic, (B) sturdy, and (C) moderately attractive. No major requirements, huh?

I've been looking at a few manufacturers -- Animal Plastics, Boaphile, Natures Spirit, and pvccages.com -- and the decision is tough.

Animal Plastics -- THICK (1/2") Plastic = Super Sturdy

Boaphile -- Most Attractive (most expensive)

Natures Spirit -- Good Person (means a LOT in my book)

pvccages.com -- Inexpensive

Here are a few additional concerns:

1) A friend has an older Boaphile rack. While helping this friend move, I was amazed at the flexibility of this rack. The plastic would bend and bow. I also believe the shelves sagged a bit. Does anyone know if Boaphile has upgraded to a better/thicker plastic? If not...this rack is out.

2) I haven't seen the Natures Spirit rack in person, but I always enjoy Casey's posts on this forum. He seems like a very genuine and pleasant person. I like nice people. I like to associate with nice people. And I would gladly give my business to a nice people...er...person. All things being equal, that is. (How thick/sturdy are these racks?)

3) Animal Plastics seems to have an OUTSTANDING customer service record. The racks are made super thick and would probably last forever. The prices are great (although the boxes are not included.) However, I cannot see a decent photo on the website. Do they look as nice stacked as the Boaphile racks?

4) Oh! And the Animal Plastics rack uses the Iris boxes. Everything is going Iris lately. It might be wise to switch to these boxes. And I hear the Iris boxes have more usable space with no grooves in the floor -- faster cleaning...plus I feel calmer (slight OCD) with nice flat surfaces.

Any comment, corrections, or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks In Advance,
Chris Bianco
(864) 706-7399
[email protected]
 
CJBianco said:
A friend has an older Boaphile rack. While helping this friend move, I was amazed at the flexibility of this rack. The plastic would bend and bow. I also believe the shelves sagged a bit. Does anyone know if Boaphile has upgraded to a better/thicker plastic? If not...this rack is out.
Click to expand...
Yes, they have. You can read about it at their site (www.boaphileplastics.com). I have some older ones and some newer ones. The newer ones are far more sturdy but they are very heavy.
 
Thanks, Jim! I read the site (twice) but couldn't find any solid information -- thickness or comparison. I read that the new racks are sturdier, but I kinda wanted to know if they switched to the 1/2" plastic instead of the older 1/4" plastic. I think they did switch to the 1/2" plastic...

...and that makes it a really tough decision!

Chris
 
CJBianco said:
Natures Spirit -- Good Person (means a LOT in my book)
Click to expand...

I just placed an order for two more racks from Casey.

I will add a few more points

Good Person plus Inexpensive, extremely fast turnaround (a week or two), easy to contact, reliable and the racks work and look great (I prefer them in black).

IMHO
 
CJBianco said:
Thanks, Jim! I read the site (twice) but couldn't find any solid information -- thickness or comparison. I read that the new racks are sturdier, but I kinda wanted to know if they switched to the 1/2" plastic instead of the older 1/4" plastic. I think they did switch to the 1/2" plastic...
Click to expand...
It's half inch polyehtylene. Evidently, the material they are using now is a bit lighter than what they were using when I got mine earlier this year. Those racks are heavy.

Incidentally, I have some of their older racks made with PVC and while they are flexible I have not had a problem with sagging or breaking.
 
Darn! That makes it tougher. I was really hoping to eliminate one of these racks, and the Boaphile (while attractive) would have been a good one to eliminate since it's the most expensive. Oh, well. I guess I do dig the dual-strips of belly heat, too.

Chris
 
Hmm...

I was thinking...the Boaphile website mentions that heat cable may be dangerous. That got me thinking about future replacement of the heating element. How long does heat cable/tape normally last? In other words...is easy disassembly (screws only) a benefit in the long run for heating element replacement?

Chris
 
Chris,
For what its worth, i put my vote in for AP. I have a rack by them and love it. I haven't had the opportunity to purchase from Casey, but i hope to in the future. I agree with you about giving money to the good people. I have heard nothing but bad things about Boaphile's customer service.


Jamie
 
jglass38 said:
I have heard nothing but bad things about Boaphile's customer service.
Click to expand...
I have 12 of their racks and many cages (it's too early in the morning to count them :p) and I have no complaints. If you want the rack next week they are not the right outfit. They custom build most every cage and rack and it is often a 4-6 week wait, perhaps longer in "baby season". If you anticipate your need then you get what you want. While it is still mostly Jeff Ronne's "show" it is not a small company anymore. He has several people working in sales and manufacturing now. He also still produces ~1000 Boas/year and this takes a bit of his time, especially also during "baby season" as you might imagine. On the other hand, I had problems with two of my acrylic doors and they were replaced free of charge within a week or so, and they were about two years old.
 
Okay. Since the feature requirements are a little too general, I'm adding to my preferences. Maybe this will narrow things down a bit...

(A) Plastic
(B) Sturdy (no sagging)
(C) Moderately Attractive
(D) Stackable
(E) Easily Disassembled (heating element maintenance)
(F) Iris Boxes (only the best)
(G) Carpet Safe
(H) Customer Service Excellence

The disassembly isn't really REQUIRED, but it would be a nice bonus. And I really don't think ANY rack system is carpet safe, but the first (only) racks I bought were from Jason's Jungle with claims of carpet safety. (The rack has legs and the heating elements are covered underneath.) And these racks are doing fine on carpet. (Although the top four levels maintain 90.5 degrees while the bottom level exceeds 100 degrees because of the extra belly heat on the bottom level...but this is another story.)

I think these new requirements narrow my choices -- Animal Plastics or Natures Spirit.

And the Iris boxes are a HUGE bonus...

Chris
 
Chris...

My entire collection is housed in Nature's Spirit racks...
They are the thinner 1/4" (as compared to the AP 1/2") BUT I have NEVER had an escape...from hatchling kings and corns to adult BP's and juvenile BCI...NONE of them has EVER gotten out...

Very lightweight and easy to move...the tubs are sterilite...but they are virtually flat....stackable...
I couldn't be happier with them...I won't order anything else...

Besides that...Casey is a GREAT guy. I cannot imagine ordering from anyone else...I would feel like I was betraying him...LOL
I live close enough (2 hours) to pick my stuff up from Casey...the first time I ordered from him...never met the guy before...he invited me in...showed me his collection...and some of the first prototypes of his incubators...genuinely friendly and very very knowledgable about his animals and the reptile industry in general.

I actually look forward to buying new racks just so I have an excuse to go have a conversation with Casey...


Now if I could just get the guy to build cages...LOL

Whatever you decide is your decision...just wanted to add my two cents...
Casey far exceeds his immaculate reputation. He is DEFINITELY one of the good guys...
 
I also have to speak in favor of Natures Spirit. I have three racks that were built by Casey and have seen the caging and rack systems he has built for himself. Incubators, too! Excellent craftsmanship, fantastic prices, great customer service.

I get my bugs from him as well as having purchased a couple of snakes and a bearded dragon. I have no complaints at all. Casey and Darla are great people to deal with, knowledgable and caring.

Even though Casey himself will be unavailable he made sure I had an emergency contact if I run out of bugs. I put my faith in Natures Spirit and have yet to be let down.

Just my testimonial. :)

*Note* I have not purchased boaphile racks, but I buy their cages for my boas. No problems with customer service. Product is definitely worth the wait. Sturdy and attractive as well as functional.
 
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