Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well the work in progress is done! I am just down to installing the heat tape. I have decided to not go with the headache, so i am just using 11" flexwatt down the back. I have heard that it raises the temps like 16 degrees with that method, so i will have to test it out.
Ryan

I built two that look almost identical...gotta love that Markus Jayne "eating machine" design...also, the 11-inch heat tape down the back works perfectly...again, nice job!!

Here's a pic of one of mine...

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Michael

What are your temps with the rack. I am getting just shy of 90 degrees 1 inch from the back of the tub. My ambiant room temp is low 80's. I am worried that i will have to rewire it for belly heat. Do you think that is enough heat for balls?
Ryan

I have been able to get the temps up to around 96 fairly easily, although I tend to keep in around 93 for the most part. As long as the back can stay around 90 degrees the balls should be fine. My ambient room temp is usually 75-79 degrees so you should be able to get your temps up slightly more. The front of the tubs gets around 80-81 during the day and 75-78 during the night right now and the back gets around 90-93 during day and around 83-85 at night. Seems to be working very well. Hope that helps.
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Michael

Awesome rack!!! What size containers did you use? Do you not use the lids with this design? I was thinking of building something similar, but I am wondering if I can use heat tape on the bottom? I don't know if sliding it in and out will damage the tape.

Thanks,
Nick

The tubs are steralite 41 qt. I originally did heat tape down the back. Now I am doing 11" on each level.
Ryan

Are you putting the heat tape under the bins? Are you just taping it to the shelf?

I actually have 6 of the same bins and like your setup a lot. I was considering turning them the other direction, but I think this design will work better.

I tacked it down. I put it in that way, so there is much more of a heat gradiant. Plus the balls love it because it is like a huge hide box!

>>Awesome rack!!! What size containers did you use? Do you not use the lids with this design? I was thinking of building something similar, but I am wondering if I can use heat tape on the bottom? I don't know if sliding it in and out will damage the tape.

BTW, here's a tip for anyone thinking of using heat tape on the bottom of a cage like this: I did this one the first rack I built. Because of the tight tolerances, the tubs were always catching the front edge of the heat tape and tearing it up. So I went down to the local home improvement store and bought some thin sheet metal. I forget the exact thickness, but it was pretty thin an bendable. I bought sheets that were as big as my shelves, put them over the heat tape, and secured them with a few screws. It works great! No lip for the boxes to catch on and the metal helps spread the heat, too!