should I change it?

[Raverthug]

So I bought a used BP rack. It has 4 41qt tubs with the heat cord to keep it warm. Even tho we have the room heated the tubs are only getting to low 80s with the johnson thermostat set in the upper 80s. My question is this. Should I change the heat cord to 1ft of 12in flex watt(pr tub), use 40in of 4in flex watt (per tub) or leave it be. Before you say anything When I can Im going to upgrade my thermostat.

[dr del]

Hi,

Have you tried turning the thermostat up?

What happens if you change the thermostat to 98F?

Where is the thermostat probe?

I ask because it is not unusual to have to raise the thermostat set point higher than you think to get the temps inside the tubs correct.


dr del

[Raverthug]

the probe is in the groove that is cut out for it in the 3rd rack. I have it set to 90 and the johnson says its 87. Ill try raising it a bit more. I was just wondering what would be better.

[chapskis1]

the probe is in the groove that is cut out for it in the 3rd rack. I have it set to 90 and the johnson says its 87. Ill try raising it a bit more. I was just wondering what would be better.

I'm not sure what that exactly means in reference to your particular rack set up, but the probe should be placed directly on the heat cord -- outside of the tub (so the probe can't get wet are moved by the snake causing false temperature readings).

I have a herpstat, but from what I have heard there is absolutely nothing wrong with a Johnsons t-stat (so there shouldn't be any reason that it really needs to be upgraded).

And as Dr. Del stated -- the temp the t-stat is set at isn't really relevant -- the temps that it is actually producing are what matters. The only problem I could see is that if your rack was set-up in such a way that you had to heat the heat cord up higher than the manufacturer recommends in order to achieve the desired temps inside the tubs.

BTW -- I have my t-stat set at 98 degrees to achieve a temp inside my enclosure of 92 degrees.

Hope this helps!

[Raverthug]

theres a groove in the pvc for the probe. Its a couple inches from the heat cord. Im not so much worried about thermostat. What Im wondering is more od what works best and is the most efficient for heating.

[BPelizabeth]

I am not sure what a heat cord is....however when you have a rack you should put the probe directly on the heat tape. Also you will need to set it higher so that it can heat through the plastic. Just play around with it until you get the desired temp. Also do not shoot the temp directly on the plastic...put your substrate down and then shoot it.