Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi, i built a shelfing unit. it holds 5 30 quart tubs, i was wondering what would be the best way to heat it? i'm open to any thought or opinions...thanks Gerald also any pics would be great too

Heat tape may work, depending on the material you used. We had built some years ago and use them no more, but essentiually we made a groove in the shelf the width and thickness of the tape so it sat flush in the shelf, boxes on top of it. Some of the commercial systems are done this way in various plastics. Could also go radiant heatewrs in the tops some how...they are not cheap but very good I am told. If the shelves have backs you could go heat tape on the back wall too without having to groove the shelf. I am not fond of this kind of heating, I like belly heat, but opinions are like...
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Mike and David at 3-D Pythons
www.3dpythons.com

I have no pics yet but I built one with wood shelves and have 1/4 inch plywood runners that the tubs sit on that raise it above the heat tape to keep the tubs from rubbing on it. Of course you have to figure this extra spacing into the design of the rack system. You can also tack paint stir sticks to the shelf as runners also, this is less than 1/4 inch but raises the tubs enough also.

Raintree Herp has a design that incorporates hanging the tubs from simply routed rails, and then similar tape runners below. This all now hinges on are these shelves already buitl and the height set in stone.
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Mike and David at 3-D Pythons
www.3dpythons.com