FAQs

1.) How do I know if a tub model is out-of-stock or backordered?

Any tub on the Freedom Breeder website will have a note next to the option stating they are backordered or will be removed completely as an available option if they are out-of-stock.

2.) What is the difference between “insulated” and “non-insulated” heat panels?

+Non-insulated: no insulation is installed on the heat panels so the heat tape is exposed on bottom of each panel. This will allow heat to escape from the bottom of each panel, causing the temps to be less consistent across the panel and the thermostat will turn on/off more often.

+Insulated: heat panel has a 1/4″ layer of insulation adhered to the bottom of each panel. This makes temps to be more consistent across the whole panel and will be more energy efficient. This can also save money on your energy bill throughout the year as the thermostat does not have to turn the panels on/off as frequently.

4.) Can I order just one or a few rack levels?

Yes, as of 2022 we have added “per level” ordering pages for MOST of our rack models on our website which allows customers to order as little as one level for any of our rack models. These “per level” ordering pages can be found by navigating to whichever rack type you are wanting on the top navigation bar (i.e. Rodent Racks: Classic or ProLine | Reptile Racks: Classic or ProLine). “Per level” ordering are the first options listed on each rack category. Rodent 44-4 and Reptile 66-4 models do not currently have “per level” ordering pages. We hope to have these available on the site soon, but these can still be ordered per level. Please send us an email to get an estimate or invoice for “per level” ordering for these models.

5.) What is Ventilation? (inserts and percentages)

Ventilation inserts are a rectangular sheet of plastic that is inserted into a Freedom Breeder rack above each tub. These inserts acts as a kind of a “lid” for each tub to prevent the reptile from escaping. These inserts have varied amounts of perforated holes on them (a.k.a. ventilation percentage – an option on all reptile racks) to allow fresh air to circulate in/out of the tubs. The inserts can be easily removed for cleaning by removing the ventilation clips from the front of the rack. The percentage of ventilation is very important as it helps to prevent mold growth on the substrate (along with good substrate maintenance) This also helps to prevent reptiles from developing respiratory infections (a.k.a. RIs – especially for low humidity species). We offer four different options for ventilation on our reptile racks: 0%, 25%, 50%, and 100%.

6.) Do you offer payment plans for rack orders?

Freedom Breeder offers a 30% (non-refundable) deposit option for payment on rack orders. This allows customers to start their order in our manufacturing queue without having to pay the total amount of the order up front – however, this is NOT a payment plan with a “set” payoff period. (Customers can gauge how long they may have to pay off the rack order based on our current lead times. However, lead times are just an estimate.) Your order may be done much earlier (depending on current work load) or slightly later than the posted lead times. Once order is complete, you will be sent an updated invoice with the shipping total added to the invoice. Any remaining balance (including shipping) is due (IN-FULL) within 14 days of order completion – regardless of completion time.

Update: We have recently added PayPal “Pay Later” as a payment option at checkout which allows customers to place their order NOW and pay it off based on PayPal’s “Pay Later” terms and conditions.

8.) What rack models can be stacked together?

For Reptile Racks (Classic and ProLine): All standard frame size rack models can stack with one another, and all large frame size rack models can stack with one another. Standard frame size rack models can be stacked on top of large frame size rack models with the use of our Standard-to-large frame adapter. (Please note: (ProLine ONLY) 1040-40 and 1030-70 rack models require the use of 1040-to-1030 spacers (available as an add-on option on applicable rack ordering pages.)

For Rodent Racks (Classic and ProLine): All standard frame size rack models can stack with one another, and all large frame size rack models can stack with one another. However, standard and large frame racks are cannot be stacked together.

9.) Which thermostat should I purchase?

For Freedom Breeder racks (technically) a single-zone thermostat can operate an entire rack; even our Reptile 1575-10 which is fifteen levels tall, with fifteen individual heat panels, and contains seventy-five tubs (without any added levels). However, this is not ideal and we recommend a dual-zone thermostat for any rack containing five or more levels. The reason for this is quite simple…heat rises. Because of this, if you use a single-zone thermostat for any rack most users will place the probe somewhere near the middle of the rack, as this is what is recommended when using a single-zone thermostat. Using a single-zone thermostat customers will experience temps on the lower levels may be 3-5 degrees cooler than your set temps, while the middle levels will be the correct set temperature and the upper levels may be 3-5 degrees warmer than the set temps. By using a dual-zone thermostat a rack can be split into two zones (or even four zones with a quad-probe thermostat) that are controlled independently from the other zone. This will result in more consistent temps from top-to-bottom on your rack.