Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm going to be using this method.
http://forums.kingsnake.com/viewarch.php?id=8724,8724&key=2003

And I was wondering, how high does the container have to be off the tape? Can it just sit on top or am I missing something? Won't it melt it?

I'm new at this. This will be my first time and just want to be well informed.

Thanks

I just recently built my first rack using heat tape. I was a bit weary of damage the heat tape could cause. I used the 4" wide stuff which i beleive has less watts per foot than the 3 or 11". I tested it under the boxes I would be using and let it run unregulated (I was watching it). It reached about 120 or 130 F if I remember correctly and didnt damage the boxes I was using. I now have it hooked up to a herpstat and installed but I am more at peace of mind after this test.

To direcltly answer your question I believe it can come in direct contact woth the box. I would recommend you test it first howeever just to make sure.

Make sure you use a temperature controller. There are various models available. For heat tape, a proportional is great.

You can also simply use a lamp dimmer on the heat tape and have that pluged into an inexpensive thermostat for additional safety to the animals in the boxes. LLL Reptiles or Big Apple has $30.00 thermostats. The Big Apple proportional is pricey but well worth the money.
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Mark