Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all:

I have been working through many configurations and drawing many different plans on the rack I am putting together.

Dear all:

I was wondering which way I should go for heating. I currently have 11” wide flexwatt and I am not sure if I want to go with back side heating or go with undertank heating.

I have never done a rack and I have never done backside heating. I am a little worried that it would not be enough heat for the tubs. Also, how should I do it? Do I just close off the back end of the rack with sheet of wood (to help keep the heat in) and mount the 11” wide flexwatts straight down the back side?

Is this going to be adequate heat? I know that JoshJungle mentioned that backside heating gives a nice gradient (thermo). But does it keep the tubs warm enough, esp. for the winter?

JUst looking for input before I make the final drawings and configurations. Probably am going to buy wood this weekend.
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Longtang. I like snakes and rats.

As I said, I used to be a belly heat guy but after seeing the gradient with the back heat, I'll never go back. I actually spec'd it out for a customer the other day at the Midwest Reptile Show using my little temp gun. I had my racks in the wide open, not pinned up against any walls and running without a thermostat. After running for about 45 minutes, I pulled a tub out and ran the temp gun down it. It was 92 degrees on the back wall and gradually went all the way to 79 degrees at the front of the box. The room temperature was about 77 degrees. That's using a 32-quart box. The front of the 15-quart box is about 4 degrees hotter than room temperature while using the 48-quart box (35" long) was room temerature about 2" from the front because it's so far away from the heat source.
I know people that use both and have incredible success. This is just my personal input.
Good luck,
Jason @ Jason's Jungle