Reptile & Amphibian Forums

When Building melmine racks is it better to string one length from level to level or have individual levels cut. Also any good ideas on hiding the wires or at least keeping it clean looking.
Thanx for any help.
Kevin

Kevin,

It does not matter whether you have the heat tape flowing from one level to another or in separate strips. The only thing you might want to consider is that if you have each level as a separate strip you can control each level separately should you wish to do so.

On the other side, you will have quite a bit more cords. I have my rack system setup the following way;

Nine six foot levels with a separate thermostat for every three levels. This gives me the ability for separate control at the bottom, middle and top. I have 3" heat tape running on three separate Herp Power Proportional Thermostats. I would recommend that you stick to either Helix or the Herp Power since both of them have been on the market for a number of years and are time tested. I would never trust my entire rack of animals to any other thermostat.

I understand why some of the supply companies carry the less expensive analog thermostat because not everyone can get a Helix or Herp Power but I would never use anything of lesser quality.

Winston

"Learn to care for your pet, it's your responsibility"

Check out www.arbreptiles.com Clay Davenports site. He has an awseom sections on flexwatt and how he wires it.. Running then in parellel is a good idea and give yo more control.. Also there are mor option out there besides the ones mentioned my Winston.. There ia the Ranco, Johnson Controls and the Herpstat. I personally donot like the Herp power because it does not have a digital readout of what the temps are.. The Helix is an awsome unit and prised all around the boards...The Ones I mentioned are awseom as well and are a little less then the helix.. The herpstat is also a proportional unit and have mroe feature then the Helix... The Johnsons and the Ranco are both on/off style thermostats and are also good units. It really depends on what you can afford, the level of control you want/need... I wouldent however go with any alife and such.. Hope it helps,
-Matt
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www.mgreptiles.com
CBB Herps and Heating Supplies

One must smile when a post is made by a company who sells several kinds of thermostats and proclaims to not like the only one not sold on their website. I have quite a few herp power units and your response about the digital face is inaccurate in my opinion.

When I purchased my herp power units I asked the company about the digital readouts of other units and why they don't have a digital readout on their unit. Their response was that non-lab grade thermometers (like that of the thermostats with digital faces) have a /- 2 degree accuracy. That makes a lot of sense. Why not have a unit calibrated correctly on a dial instead of a digital readout that could be off as much as 2 degrees either way.

Besides, my rack systems controlled by the Herp Power thermostats are always within a 1/2 of a degree of the setting. So, what's not to like about that?

Bottom line, I have major issues with companies that post on here simply knocking competitors products because they don't carry them. I have seen the same done with Helix, Pro Products and other companies. It is not fair to the consumer, I think if you have a company selling competing products you should not let your bias enter into your posts. It reflects poorly on your business.

Winston

"If you can't afford to care properly for a pet, do not buy one"

Listen Winston I dont know what your problem is but you need to back off. I do not bash other companies, I talk out of what I have learned from years of keeping animals.. There are people lie you on every board and they are not appricated. If this comtinues I will report it to the mods or any futher action I must make... I am not posting here as a business I am posting here as a individual.. If you would like to call me and discuss your proplem with me please feel free do do so.. My number is on my site..
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www.mgreptiles.com
CBB Herps and Heating Supplies

LOL, you have to be joking, "You post as an individual"? Every post you make you put your name and the business you own and a link to your website. Numerous times I have even seen you advertise the products you sell through this forum. If you want to post as an "individual" than post without your company listing and web link. Otherwise, continue posting as a representative of your company, this way everyone knows which way the information will slant.

Winston

"Buy From Companies That Provide Information Not Rhetoric"