Building a Rack

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

Im going to attach a picture of an idea for a rack, but im not sure of the over/under heating ramifications of it.

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/dxkj21/possibleRack.jpg


I was thinking of using 3" flexwatt to go across the back underside of the tubs, and to use this rack for sterilite tubs:

1954 - 12 Quart Storage Box 16 3/8"L x 11 1/2"W x 5 7/8"H
1956 - 27 Quart Storage Box 23"L x 16 3/4"W x 5 7/8"H

both tubs are just under 17" deep, and i would be able to fit either 4 tubs across of the 1954 or 2 tubs across of the 1956.

One concern is that I would be heating the back of the short tubs, and the side of the longer tubs... but the tub is 2x the size, so 2x the heating area should be ok if the snake just moves to the other side..

The other concern is ventilation and heat building up. I was thinking of using melamine or some other type of solid material for the sides and shelving, and making the back either be solid, or have holes in it to allow heat to escape preventing a buildup. I would have small holes drilled in the tubs to allow ventilation but im not sure how well it would ventilate with all the tubs being packed into the same area. (I also plan to have some material halfway across each shelf with room for the flexwatt to pass through it, in order to keep the shelves from sagging and giving the snakes some escape room)

Any predictions on how well this setup would work, or how hot the room these are in would have to be to provide the proper temp distribution? I'm also trying to figure out how many watts 8 - 4' strips of 3" would use. I cant imagine anymore than 320 watts... but I never know..

Additionally if I used the thermostat probe to be on the hot side of the center middle tub, would that keep a somewhat consistant temp in all of the tubs? or would i have to use several t-stats and thermometers in several of the tubs to get it right?

Thanks again


PS Would back heat be better than belly heat in this situation?
PPS Im guessing the 1956 sized tub would top out at a 3' snake ?

[JASBALLS]

I cant see the pics

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

I cant see the pics

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

Good afternoon,


Im going to attach a picture of an idea for a rack, but im not sure of the over/under heating ramifications of it.




I was thinking of using 3" flexwatt to go across the back underside of the tubs, and to use this rack for sterilite tubs:

1954 - 12 Quart Storage Box 16 3/8"L x 11 1/2"W x 5 7/8"H
1956 - 27 Quart Storage Box 23"L x 16 3/4"W x 5 7/8"H

both tubs are just under 17" deep, and i would be able to fit either 4 tubs across of the 1954 or 2 tubs across of the 1956.

One concern is that I would be heating the back bottom of the short tubs, and the side bottom of the longer tubs... but the tub is 2x the size, so 2x the heating area should be ok if the snake just moves to the other side..

The other concern is ventilation and heat building up. I was thinking of using melamine or some other type of solid material for the sides and top, maybe a thinner material for the shelvfing, and making the back either be solid, or have holes in it to allow heat to escape preventing a buildup. I would have small holes drilled in the tubs to allow ventilation but im not sure how well it would ventilate with all the tubs being packed into the same area. (I also plan to have some support material halfway across each shelf with room for the flexwatt to pass under it, in order to keep the shelves from sagging and giving the snakes some escape room)

Any predictions on how well this setup would work, or how hot the room these are in would have to be to provide the proper temp distribution? I'm also trying to figure out how many watts 8 - 4' strips of 3" would use. I cant imagine anymore than 320 watts... but I never know..

Additionally if I used the thermostat probe to be on the hot side of the center middle tub, would that keep a somewhat consistant temp in all of the tubs? or would i have to use several t-stats and thermometers in several of the tubs to get it right?

Thanks again


PS Would back heat be better than belly heat in this situation?
PPS Im guessing the 1956 sized tub would top out at a 3' snake ?
PPPS Do people with racks normally have an accurate thermometer in every single tub showing hot/cold and humidity?

[frankykeno]

Hope you don't mind I merged your threads (hope I did it right it was my very first move/merge...ack! LOL)


~~Jo~~

[JimiSnakes]

I kind of have an idea of what you are trying to do. Matt had helped me with this same issue once before. I did what he had told me to do and it works great. In an "S" formation, start at the bottom (or top) and weave your way through all the shelves. One hookup. This way you get less wattage and the same effect. Also, the heat will be distributed equally and you don't need a bunch of thermostats. Place the probe in the middle of the rack and they should all be about the same. But, if you want them different all different temps (not sure why, but heh you never know) your way would be good. I use a themometer in all my tubs, just to be safe.

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

I kind of have an idea of what you are trying to do. Matt had helped me with this same issue once before. I did what he had told me to do and it works great. In an "S" formation, start at the bottom (or top) and weave your way through all the shelves. One hookup. This way you get less wattage and the same effect. Also, the heat will be distributed equally and you don't need a bunch of thermostats. Place the probe in the middle of the rack and they should all be about the same. But, if you want them different all different temps (not sure why, but heh you never know) your way would be good. I use a themometer in all my tubs, just to be safe.

Yeah these are for all BP's so they would be the same temps. Wouldnt the S weave make the tub on the edge have heat on the side and bottom and raise temps? Im also not familiar with flex watt, so im not sure how much the heat would go up from this.

I think it would be cool to have an accurite thermometer in each tub, but with 40 tubs, thats ~ $500 just on thermometers that probably read all within a few degrees of each other... and even if they didnt read within a few degrees of each other, there would be nothing you could do since they are heated uniformly

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

Hope you don't mind I merged your threads (hope I did it right it was my very first move/merge...ack! LOL)


~~Jo~~

Thanks realized I was probably in the wrong forum and posted over here, thanks for the merge!

[kavmon]

those plans look good. i wouldn't worry about holes in the back, the heat will come out through the front enough. belly heat rocks!!! i would use thick shelves to help with sagging. the flex should be around 320 watts with those specs assuming 10 watts/ft. i would just use a thermometer in the bottom shelf and one in the top.
i would use a proportional stat like helix and tape th eprobe directly to the flexwatt. this gives you alot of control over temps.


vaughn

[Stings]

here is the rack i built. i would be happy to tell you how i made it. it might take some time to remeasure but i built it for the 1860 tubs from walmart they was only $5 each. i have about $125 in it. i have it on a dimmer for now but ill order a herpstat II soon.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/gallery/...=3&userid=2403