Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello. I have just finished building my new BP rack and I need to install the Flexwatt. I want to use the 11" wide, but the tubs I've got only have a space of about 9 1/2" between the little plastic "feet" on the tub. This means if I use the 11", the tub feet would most likely rub a little on the Flexwatt. Is this bad? Should I not go this route? Or would it be ok for the feet to rub a little. Please let me know. Thanks a lot.

Circusfan

From the sounds of things your tubs are set in the rack so that the side is visible, is this right? Mine are set in sideways so the greastest portion of the tub is visible. In any event, i used foil tape to keep my h-tape in place. If i was you i would use foil tape so the feet slide on the foil tape. I've had my rack up and running for a few months now and i haven't noticed any wearing of this foil tape. Try to give the h-tape as much air as you can and still protect it from the wear of sliding tubs. This foil tape is real sticky and has no problems with adherence. Good luck, Clint

No take those tubs back and trade them in. I havent built a rack but I have heard plenty on here about not using tubs with feet for racks. You should get some replies as to why you shouldnt use the tubs with feet. Do you have any pics of your rack as im looking foward to building one in the future.

>>No take those tubs back and trade them in. I havent built a rack but I have heard plenty on here about not using tubs with feet for racks. You should get some replies as to why you shouldnt use the tubs with feet. Do you have any pics of your rack as im looking foward to building one in the future.

I have the tubs with feet in my rack, and i like them. The feet nor the bottom of the tub comes in contact with the h-tape. I've hashed this out more then once here. I won't argue it for awile again. Clint

>>>>No take those tubs back and trade them in. I havent built a rack but I have heard plenty on here about not using tubs with feet for racks. You should get some replies as to why you shouldnt use the tubs with feet. Do you have any pics of your rack as im looking foward to building one in the future.
>>
>>I have the tubs with feet in my rack, and i like them. The feet nor the bottom of the tub comes in contact with the h-tape. I've hashed this out more then once here. I won't argue it for awile again. Clint

What i have heard of is tubs melting by being in contact with h-tape. Granted this may have been due to failed t-stats, lack of a t-stat altogether or a build up of heat due to lack of air space around h-tape. Either way i decided to provide my h-tape with an air space via the tubs with feet. This is just my opinion/conclusion after i researched the use/safety of h-tape. To each their own. Clint

>>Hello. I have just finished building my new BP rack and I need to install the Flexwatt. I want to use the 11" wide, but the tubs I've got only have a space of about 9 1/2" between the little plastic "feet" on the tub. This means if I use the 11", the tub feet would most likely rub a little on the Flexwatt. Is this bad? Should I not go this route? Or would it be ok for the feet to rub a little. Please let me know. Thanks a lot.

Yes, the feet will rub on the heat tape. If the clearance between shelves is tight, they will also tend to catch the edge of the heat tape as you slide them in and out of the rack. You can use aluminum foil tape, as clints suggests, to hold the tape in place. In my experience, this will work for maybe 9-12 months before the heat tape starts getting torn up.

If you scroll down a bit, you'll see the "One More Question About Melamine or Plywood" thread, where Clint and I hashed this out recently. I won't bother to repeat the whole discussion again.

>>>>Hello. I have just finished building my new BP rack and I need to install the Flexwatt. I want to use the 11" wide, but the tubs I've got only have a space of about 9 1/2" between the little plastic "feet" on the tub. This means if I use the 11", the tub feet would most likely rub a little on the Flexwatt. Is this bad? Should I not go this route? Or would it be ok for the feet to rub a little. Please let me know. Thanks a lot.
>>
>>Yes, the feet will rub on the heat tape. If the clearance between shelves is tight, they will also tend to catch the edge of the heat tape as you slide them in and out of the rack. You can use aluminum foil tape, as clints suggests, to hold the tape in place. In my experience, this will work for maybe 9-12 months before the heat tape starts getting torn up.
>>
>>If you scroll down a bit, you'll see the "One More Question About Melamine or Plywood" thread, where Clint and I hashed this out recently. I won't bother to repeat the whole discussion again.

It was a good debate/arguement, i like the sound of debate better. After rereading it, i felt there was useful info presented from both sides. Hopefully people will take a little from the thread and be able to use it to their advantage. Then all the tping wasn't in vain. Clint
-----
0.1 Colombian Boa
1.0 Hogg Isle Boa
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
0.1 Argentine Boa
0.0.2 Green Tree Python