Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I would like to use melamine for a couple smaller sized racks. I definately want belly heat. I would like to relieve the shelves somewhat so the heat tape is sunken slightly into the melamine to prevent an uneven surface for the tubs to sit on. Will melamine fall apart if I mill a slot wide enough for the heat tape to fit in, and slightly deeper then the thickness of the flexwatt? What do others do to prevent this uneven surface caused by the heat tape under tubs?

Thanx for any info.

Matt

the_true_angler@yahoo.com

Matt,

The melamine won't fall apart. But if you're really worried about it you could just use some shims cut from expanded PVC on the outside edges of the shelves for the boxes to slide on. This works really well and provides a bit of thermal mass for the heat tape.

To give you an idea of what I mean, look at the lower shelves of the rack pictured below. One of the shelves is melamine and you can see some hardboard runners against the white. Just use 3mm expanded PVC (aka Sintra) like this and have the heat tape underneath.

Or route a groove, whichever you prefer. The one problem with a groove is that it can interfere with the boxes sliding. Not always, but it does happen.

There is really nothing you can do take the thickness of the flexwatt away.. Routering melimine just enough to where the flexwatt will lay in there and the shelf will be even will not hurt anything.. If Chris Harper is around he can give you the perfect advise as how to fix your wood problem...
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www.MGReptiles.com
Professional Heating Supplies

I guess he is around..lol
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www.MGReptiles.com
Professional Heating Supplies