What size flexwatt for 41qt?

[PweEzy]

Just curious what size heat tape everyone is using on their 41qt tubs. Is 4 inch flexwatt sufficient?

[garweft]

I use 2 rows of 3" spaced 2-3" apart 1/3 of the way from the back.

[h2ocop]

It depends on how you are going to use it.

1. Are you using it as belly heat?

2. Are you using it as back heat?

I suggest 3 or 4" for the belly or 11" for the back.

I have found the belly is more direct heating but over time the heat tape wears down due to the constant rubbing across it (which can cause the tape to short.)

I like the back heat best. The only draw back is it not as direct in heating but the size (11" ) makes up for it and it does not wear from being rubbed on.

Good luck, Mike

[PweEzy]

Thanks for the replies. I am using belly heat. I am trying to just use 4in on everything so I can use my 1 herpstat for both my 41qt rack and my rack for the smaller ones. I have only 9 shelves total so I think it would be a little inefficient to be using more than one t-stat for so little space.

[snakesRkewl]

Several factors would need to be considered to use 4 inch under 40qt tubs.

The ambient room temperature and whether the rack is a closed rack or just tubs on shelves.

A room that stays under 70 degrees will probably need 11x12 flexwatt to get your temps where you want them, especially the cool end ambient temps and especially if the tubs are sitting on shelves.

[PweEzy]

Several factors would need to be considered to use 4 inch under 40qt tubs.

The ambient room temperature and whether the rack is a closed rack or just tubs on shelves.

A room that stays under 70 degrees will probably need 11x12 flexwatt to get your temps where you want them, especially the cool end ambient temps and especially if the tubs are sitting on shelves.

I actually have been considering this. The rack is open for the most part so I was thinking about insulating it with maybe even just a folded white sheet around the sides and back, but I keep my A/C set at 78 in the summer and heat at about 75 in the winter. Being in south Texas, it really doesn't get THAT cold very often. For those really cold days I have a little space heater that I set up near the racks.

[RichsBallPythons]

If room is 75+ 3" is all you need, whether its open or closed rack.

Any cooler room temps i would use 11" for belly heat to help. Back heat dont do so well in cooler rooms at maintaining the desired temps.