Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all, I have built a few racks for use with various tubs and have always used the Heat tape under the rear of the tub. I havent had any problems with this, but was wondering on the benefits of using rear heat instead. I keep Milksnakes and Kingsnakes primarily, and a few Corns. I will be building a new Rack system in a week or so and was thinking of running a long piece of Heat Tape along the back of each row...which would save me on connectors over having a square of Heat Tape under each bin.

ALSO...can you just solder the wire to the Heat tape? Seems like that would be fine.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any advice - I have gotten some good ideas from this forum, but this is my first time posting here.

Hunter

I personally prefer belly heat. There are ways you can adjust your setup to accommodate it. I like the heat cable because you can wrap it down around each level. You can do the same thing with heat tape if you get it in 3 or 4 inch wide.

And yes you can solder the heat cable. Just melt through the plastic a little first to expose the metal and go for it. It works but I have found that they are pretty delicate. Over time if you bump it or move it the solder will come off. Not a big deal to re-solder, but a little anoying.

Thanks, Zach! I havent seen the Heat Rope for sale anywhere...any leads? I buy from Bean Farm but dont think they offer it. I have used the 3" for my smaller tub racks and will probably use that again beneath the tubs. I will most likely use solder this time around...I have found that the clips can get knocked off by pushing in the larger tubs on occasion. This will be my first MULTIPLE TUB SIZE rack system, with larger tubs on the bottom, medium in the middle, and small on top - with each size section having its own rheostat. Thanks again!

Hunter

Big apple sells them. I have built MANY racks of all shapes and sizes. These are what I have been most happy with.

NICE BINS!! Are those Polycarbonate? Where did you get them? I like the clear tubs alot, one of my racks I am using the HerpKeepers bins without the tops and they are nice and clear...but pricey!

Nice Rack with the threaded rod...I did that with a small hatchling rack a few years back and it makes adjusting the shelves SO easy.

Hunter