Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi guys im in the market for my first rack and i definately have my eye on RBI's Sweater box 32qt rack.
Can someone help me

Is belly heat a built in space in the rack for heat tape to run underneath?

will i have to do wiring of any kind or can i just strap on a Thermostat?

What about backheat?

What exactly is belly heat?

which one is better?

Belly heat is where the heat source is under the tub and back heat is when the heatsource runs down the back of the rack. Everyone has there own opinions on which is better. I use belly heat and the source of heat is 11" flexwatt. Some racks do have a area built into them to run your flexwatt. I currently have my tubs right on the tape controlled by a johnson controlls thermostat. Im not familar with the rack your buying but you need to ask if flexwatt comes with it and a thermostat. You have to run a thermostat no matter what rack you decide on. Flexwatt heat tape is the most often used product for heating racks. I believe it comes in 3",4"and 11". Check out the beanfarm for flexwatt and I have a source for johnson controlls if interested. Johnson controlls have a reasonably priced digital thermostat but its a on off type thermostat. A perportional stat is better if you have the bucks to pay for one. A perportional stat varies the voltage to maintain a set temp and a on off style stat does exactly that it cycles the heat on at a set temp and off at another temp. Hope it helps

I prefer back heat...as others prefer Belly heat. The reason I prefer back heat is simply that my snakes can go to the rear of the cage and know that it will be hot, middle will be warm, and the front is cool. IMO...the belly heat do not allow a so called cool spot in most cases ( this obviously depends on the size of tubs in the rack). I purchased my rack system from Jason Hess @ Jason's Jungle and I love it!!!

Nick

I happen to own several of the RBI Plastics racks. Three with back heat and one with belly heat. The smaller racks come with back and the CB70 size rack with belly heat. The back heat is provided by an 11" strip of heat tape while the belly heat is provided by two seperate strips of 3" heat tape recessed into the bottom of each shelf. They come prewired and are ready for a thermostat, just plug and go. I personally prefere the back heat as it seems to heat the entire rear area of the tubs to 86 deg. (which are included by the way, all you have to do is drill a few vent holes) including the air temp. With the large CB70 the heat is very localized to the areas right over the heat tape, which I am sure will be perfect for when you want to start a cool down, but still provide a basking area. My females are still a little small and I would like to keep them feeding all winter long, so the more constant heat gradient from front to back is what I am looking for. I do not have a dedicated, climate controled room at this time, so the air temps at the front of the tubs are the same as the temps in my house, 82 deg. in the summer and 75 deg. in the winter. I bought the Ranco prewired thermostats that RBI offers, they are definatley less expensive, but not cheap, all though the clicking off and on can be annoying especially at night (Didn't last long in the bedroom). As far as controlling the temps they run with a 1 deg. or - variant so the temp stays fairly constant, at least for maintenence temps. The racks them selves are very well constructed and come preassembled and ready to use and the tubs fit very snug(had to sand a few down on the bottom). I don't know what your future plans are but for a first, second or third rack you can go wrong with these, and the price is great. Hope this helps you make your decision. I know I am very satisfied with mine.

Jeff