Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay I'm just finishing my snake rack it holds 14 28qt containers!!! Now i can't decide what to do I want to run the heat tape on the back. Should I run two long pieces of heat tape down the back or run one piece across the back of each of the shelfs? and should I use 3 inch or 11 inch heat tape?

depends on how cold you room is and what climate or part of the country you are in. i like to run them underneath large tubs but most set it up with one strip running down the back panal.

What size tubs are you making this for? If showbox or smaller baby rack then run it down the back panal.
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My room varys from high 60's to low 70's, it's really hard to just keep it at a steady temp but those are the winter temps, usually in the summer it stays around the mid 70's. There are 2-28qt tubs on each shelf. The rack is also boxed in.

Both methods have advantages and disadvantages.

Running it straight up and down is easier and uses less wiring but the upper racks can end up getting much hotter.

Running the tape lengthwise requires more wiring but temperature control is better.
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What if would insulate the back will that help with temperate control?

In my experience, running it as back heat is a waste of time and completely ineffective. I would run it under the tubs and save yourself some headache. I would use 11 inch heat tape cut in 1ft sections wired individually and connected to a thermostat using power strips.

I can't really run the heat under the tubs because the shelfs are OBS plywood that are sealed with paint and the tubs really stick and I'm afraid it will tear the heat tape.

I see. I have one made from Malamine that sound just like what you're saying. I started with back heat and the room it's in is about the same temps as what you said. I had an insanely hard time getting any of the tubs up to correct temps. THat's when I switched to belly heat. THe tightness is an issue. You should have left 1/16 inch gap for tape. Now i'm not sure how you'll do it unless you take it apart and rebuild it but that would be a huge pain as well.

Actually now that I'm thinking I might be able to sand down an area to lay the flexwatt heat into. If I do that would u recommend using a tape to tape down the flexwatt?

That's a GREAT idea!!! I'd use thin foil tape to hold it down or I suppose you could use a spray adhesive on the bottom side. Just make sure to let it air out well and dry before adding animals. Even if you add insulation to the back, it won't help all that much if any.

Okay i think I'm going to try the spray on adhesive and maybe a thin coat of poly on the top? Also would it be better to use one peice of 1ft- 11 inch heat tape instead of 2-1ft 3 inch? i measured it and if i use the 11 inch it will give each snake about 4 inches of heat.

I'd use the 11 inch. Just put it farther in in the back so that it is all under the tub when the tub is closed.