My husband is currently building me a rack unit, 9 shelves. Dimensions are 34" x 24" and will be holding 2 16" x 22" tubs per shelf.

I plan to house BP's and Corn's in this unit until he builds the other two units (one for corns & balls, one for balls, and one for hatchlings). So, seeing how I have different species sharing a rack what size heat tape would I need?

I thought 4" would be sufficient but I see a lot of people use 11" for anything larger than 16qt tub. 11" is half of 22" so that would be half the floor space heated. I'm afraid that it would be too warm for the corns and even the balls.

The room temp is about 65 degrees year round (basement), so wondering if the 4" would not create enough warmth to get the cool spot in the 80's.

So if anyone can give me advice on this I'd really appreciate.

Oh! I CAN heat the room with a space heater ( I have one running now ), it just irks my husband to heat this big room when only a fairly small section of it needs to be kept warm.

Thanks in advance!
Nicole