Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i am going to try to build my rack this week...i now know the dimensions for it it's going to be 7x20x44...that's 7 tall, 20 deep, and 44 long.
since it is such a big enclosure i was going to use 11in heat tape and do belly and back heat for at least the winter months, unless i can get the temps to be reasonably warm with just the belly heat. so i have another question. i see that heat tape comes in 1 foot intervals, so i can have one on the bottom of the rack and then i was thinking i could just bend and run a piece of electrical tape across the heat tape so that it can run up the wall. or do you think that i should wire the back and belly heat separately? thanks again for any help i am sure my balls are going to love their new rack when it gets done.

First make sure the door ways can hadle an enclosure that big I made that mistake and it can be a pain. I chose the make a hole in the wall rather than take the thing apart but thats me.

If you mean weaving the tape in and out of the shelves up the sides that works fine but. If you are useing a ply for the wood make it thick. I say this because ideally you want the tape in some sort of recess to prevent wear. Then you need the same on the sides for the same reason. Then you have to notch the shelves so the tape can go through to the next shelf. With all that routing it takes away a lot of the strength so you need to thicken up the ply. I made one with 1/2 ply each routed section was 1/8 deep and the piece was so flimsey I recommend 3/4 ply for 1/8 routed channel. Its a lot of work but well worth it.

If you go the other approach theres a lot of connections that could loose continuity.

Its your choice so good luck.
My 2 Cents
-----
"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

You will want to wire the 11" and the 3" seperatly as the 11" will heat to a higher temp quicker then the 3" will. You will waste alot of the element weaving it in and out but it can be done. I personally wire everything in parellel.. Saves alot of notching lke the gentleman said before(good post btw)..
-Matt

-----

www.MGReptiles.com
Professional Reptile Heating Supplies

I only weaved the tape because I was using a shallow box and regardless the element is still in with the tub. For me one connection was prefered over many. As in eveerything you have to analize the options and go with what you think is best. The time spent routing was really insignificant I burned them all in about an 1 maybe 2. If I had not been routing them for a channel I would never had done the 3" weave. would have done the 11" single panel.

Good thing you mentioned the diffent heat rates it didn't even cross my mind that someone would link the two together. Also probally should add to the parralel vs series deal. With heat tape its best to wire in parralel that way they heat as a team rather than one then the other like with a series.

Its up to each of us to deteremine what is best for us, alone we make the choice.
-----
"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer