100% back heated stack

[OhhWatALoser]

I figure Id post this since this isn't a typical setup.

I've toyed around with a lot of different rack designs and placement of heat. I think I finally found what I like the best. The difference between back heat and belly heat never matter to me when I was using newspaper. When I switched to cypress, I found I had to turn the heat up to get 90 degrees on the cypress, but under it was 100+. Back heated I can easily get a 90 degree hotspot without having to turn up the heat tape too much. So I've discovered this, I've been slowly switching to back heated racks.

Another thing that didn't work out for me was single stack racks that are 6+ feet tall, even with a fan going in the room, I would have atleast a 5-6 degree difference between top and bottom of the room, which by no means is the end of the world, but hotter or colder days in the house might lead to unwanted temps.... so my solution was to spread out tubs on the same thermostat along the wall. I now have 4 rows of 41qt, 3 rows of 28qt, 3 rows of 6qt, and a 2 row (soon to be replaced by a 4 row) of 6qt. Now the thermostats control tubs that are closer to the same elevation in the room, making my temps way easier to control. Used the empty back part of the 28qt to mount the thermostats.

As for the design, I build mine a little different, from what I typically see. all my sides, back, and support pieces are cut to the height I need for the tubs, so its just a piece the size of the rack, put the sides,back, and supports on. wire heat tape, set the next row on top. Everything just stacks on top of the other.

I build it enclosed and it works out quite well, I only have a couple snakes that require a hide, the rest don't need it. With a water bowl sitting up front, it appears to be enough for majority of them to feel secure and eat like I want them to.

6qt and 28qt have heat tape running along the back, the 41qt run along the back and a foot along the side of the tub. I just felt like the bigger snakes could use a bigger hot spot.

So that's where I'm at now and so far It's working out great.