Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have seen so many people putting a three inch strip of flexwatt across the shelf with a box that just slides directly over it. To me this looks like a horrible idea. I feel like you would wear through the flex watt and get open hot spots, or dead flexwatt in no time at all. Not to mention the possible fire hazard of exposed flexwatt.

Am I wrong? Is there something I am missing? How often do you guys need to replace the flexwatt?

Never

All my shelves that I used flexwatt in that fashion had a routed pocket or trench per say that the flewatt laid in. It was than taped in place. I never had any wear from the tub sliding over it. Of course you could always add more tape over the rubbing area as foil tape won't effect the thermal properties of the flexwatt.
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Jeremy

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Yep, thats what I have done on past racks. But I have seen tons who don't do that and I just don't see how that can work for long.

>>Yep, thats what I have done on past racks. But I have seen tons who don't do that and I just don't see how that can work for long.

It takes alot of rubbing to wear through aluminum foil tape, and tape is easily replaced or taped over. That is one way to do it. But you are correct, I've seen pics of bare Flexwatt. Setting the box down on it is one thing, but sliding is another.

One guy used Calci-sand substrate in tubs in a rack. Guess what happened? Sweaterbox sandpaper of sorts wore through the Flexwatt. He got jolted when he touched that part of the heater to see if it was warm. He's smarter nowadays lol.

i use flexwatt directly under boxes and have not had any problems.. Although, i am carefull when i slide my boxes in and out of the rack. I also use lids on my boxes so they are not pressed tightly against the tape..

The rack pictured is a few years old and the pads look just about new..

i do understand your concern though..

~ Mike Russo

I have been using the same 3" flexwat tape (herp heat, actually I think that I purchased from Bob Clark 17 years ago) without a single problem. No foil, just masking tape on the edges. No grooves, boxes slide directly on top of them. No wear yet!

Got a home built rack system a few years ago and wondered the same question. I found out the answer when a hot spot built up and melted a hole on one of the tubs. If the tub is fairly tight to close all gaps, it wears. Or, it wore on mine. The lid on method sounds good because there is little space. If/when I do it again, I will opt for the trench.
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When birds fly in the right formation, they need only exert half the effort. Even in nature, Teamwork results in collective laziness.