Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just finished a rack for my ball pythons, its made of melamine wood, it has 3 layers and holds 9 tubs .... rack is approx 49" wide, 24" deep, 24" tall.

I used 3" flexwatt 6 watt heat tape, I ran one 48" section on each layer (under belly heat).

I have a ESU thermostat connected to the heat tape.

My reptile room is 70 degrees

I have the ESU thermostat cranked up to about 108 degrees and im only barely getting 85 degrees in the tubs.

I'm using iris tubs, average thickness tubs not some super thick tubs so I dont get why im having so much trouble heating them up.

Maybe I did something wrong .... ?? ... any info, thoughts and or ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,
GLZ

Sounds like your set up is almost identical to mine. But I don't have to crank the ESU up that far. Mine is set on about 93. How long are you waiting before you check the temp? Remember, the heat tape will heat up fairly quickly, and so will the bottom of the tubs, but the air temp is quite a bit slower to heat up. I'd set it on about 95 degrees, what a few hours, then check the temps. Dont wanna cook the little guys.... Just my theory.
JaY

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1.0 Pastel Ball
1.1 Het VPI Axanthic Balls
1.1 Het Albino Balls
0.1 Normal Balls
0.0.1 Red Tail Boas
1.0 Albino Nelsons Milksnake
1.1 Room mates
2.2 Dogs
0.1 Cat

thanks for the reply! After about 2hrs now set at 108 im showing a 87.8 .... I turned the thermostat down to 95 and im going to let it go until tomorrow and see how it looks then

But only a few minutes with the therm turned down to 95 and the temp already dropped down to just under 85

I used duck tape to secure the flexwatt in place, maybe I will have to remove that and use the foil tape like I should have done to start.

I think thats what I will do .... ill check the temps tomorrow and if they still WAY off then I will swap out the duck tape for the correct foil tape .... then if that still doesnt solve the problem I will play around with the probe.

I had the duck tape handy and didnt think it would make a differance but maybe it does

I don't know if the duct tape versus aluminum tape will make a huge difference. I guess the duct tape may be a bit of an insulator, whereas the aluminum tape conducts the heat nicely. Its worth a shot.
Also, you're tubs may be a little thicker than mine too. There could be many variables. I just wanted to point out that ambient temps take longer to change. Play around with it.
JaY
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1.0 Pastel Ball
1.1 Het VPI Axanthic Balls
1.1 Het Albino Balls
0.1 Normal Balls
0.0.1 Red Tail Boas
1.0 Albino Nelsons Milksnake
1.1 Room mates
2.2 Dogs
0.1 Cat

hey- off subject but I see you have a male albino nelson milk snake male, I have a very nice Albino nelsons female if your looking to breed that male, I could give you a good deal, let me know thanks....

Well technically the snake belongs to my girlfriend, it just stays at my house and I take care of it. And besides, its only a few months old and not nearly large enough for breeding. i dont think I'm gonna breed him anyways, and I dont think we're allowed to discuss trades/sales on the forums. Thanks anyways though!
JaY

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1.0 Pastel Ball
1.1 Het VPI Axanthic Balls
1.1 Het Albino Balls
0.1 Normal Balls
0.0.1 Red Tail Boas
1.0 Albino Nelsons Milksnake
1.1 Room mates
2.2 Dogs
0.1 Cat

are you using substrate in the tubs? i certainly hope so. i've found there's usually about a ten degree difference between my set temperatures and actual temperatures inside the tub. the heat has to work through the tub and the substrate, all of which have an insulating effect. i check my temps with both an ambient reading inside the tubs and a direct surface temp reading. i use an infrared instant read thermometer for that. also if the back of your rack is open or enclosed will have an effect on the temps as well. an open backed rack should run cooler.

1. duct tape will get disgusting as the glue melts over time

2. where is your probe attached?

I read that the duck tape glue will melt and make a mess over time .... I read this of course after I went ahead and used it. I got anxious and used the duck tape!

I have the themostat probe wrapped inside plastic that I cut off a extra tub lid ... the plastic wrapped probe is taped directly to the heat tape.

im using about 1-1/2 inch of aspen in the tubs. the rack is closed backing.

is tape touching or amost touching bottoms ob boxes?

are you taking air temp at 85 or floor temp at 85?

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LOL......

floor temp .... I have a digital temp probe inside one of the tubs under the aspen

my temp probe is laying directly ON the heat tape...

it is set at 91 right now and the cages are fine...balls are actually laying in the water at the cold end...like they do all winter till they are gravid...

.......I was under the thought that the probe went on the tape?....

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LOL......

yes, I have my thermostats probe on the tape ... I have also been using a dig temp reader with a probe to check the temps

I think that your problem has nothing to do with the heat tpae or the thermostat, it has more to do with the ambient temperature of your reptile room. If your room is 70, and you're hoping to get your bins to the low 90's you are asking FARRR too much of your heat tape. Get the ambient air in your reptile room up and your tape will one; have to work less, and two; get to your temps.
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www.strictlyballs.ca

where is the probe?

probe is wrapped in lid plastic and taped directly to the heat tape.

I originally used a v shaped lid edge to half cover the probe but now I added a second straight piece of the lid ... so now the probe is encased in plastic

Its working perfect!! thermostat is set at 90 and its 90

Thanks for all of your replies!! This was my first rack, I am really starting to dig it, cleared up so much space!!

Of how and where you encased your probe?? It might help me out
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Cheers!
• Chelsea Lynn Gardiner
(and Frank M. Wood)