Flexwatt Question

[Nate]

Ok so lets say i have a rack with 9 tubs, 3 per level. I would start the flexwatt at the top and make it go back and forth till it ends at the bottom.

Do I only need one thermometer, placed in the center cage? If one cage is below temp, then the rest must be as well?

If the temp reads a few degrees below normal, and the thermostat makes the heat kick on, it's going to heat every single cage...is this what I want to happen?

[jglass38]

Ok so lets say i have a rack with 9 tubs, 3 per level. I would start the flexwatt at the top and make it go back and forth till it ends at the bottom.

Do I only need one thermometer, placed in the center cage? If one cage is below temp, then the rest must be as well?

If the temp reads a few degrees below normal, and the thermostat makes the heat kick on, it's going to heat every single cage...is this what I want to happen?

You can use a single piece of flexwatt all the way through or a separate piece per shelf. I prefer a separate piece per shelf. I no longer obsess about thermometers. I trust that if I am using the same wattage flexwatt throughout, that my thermostat is doing its job. I spot check as needed. As long as my snakes eat, poop, breed, etc, then all is good!

[mr~python]

Ok so lets say i have a rack with 9 tubs, 3 per level. I would start the flexwatt at the top and make it go back and forth till it ends at the bottom.

yep, most people do it from the bottom to the top though.

Do I only need one thermometer, placed in the center cage? If one cage is below temp, then the rest must be as well?

yup, BUT heat rises and you might see a very small insignifant difference from the top level to the bottom.

If the temp reads a few degrees below normal, and the thermostat makes the heat kick on, it's going to heat every single cage...is this what I want to happen?

yes, if you have a good thermostat it should never go down a few degrees though. it should keep every tub in atleast a 2 degree range.

[Nate]

Yeah I'm currently looking at the Herpstat ND from Matt at MGReptiles. He's got a 5/5 rating on it, night drop, and a few other nifty features...Within budget too.

How does your thermostat read a thermometers temperature?

[JimiSnakes]

How does your thermostat read a thermometers temperature?

Within a degree usually.

[Nate]

no i'm saying if i buy a digital thermometer, how does the thermostat know what degree that thermometer is reading?

[JimiSnakes]

The thermostat won't know. It will have a probe you place (and replace and replace until it reads right) and that will tell the thermostat the temps. The thermostat you are looking at is digital ( i believe) so it will read the temps on it's display for you.

[Nate]

OK so if I am building a rack, where is a good place to put the flexwatt? should I secure it to the bottom of one of the levels, and then just make sure the tub can slide over it OK? Or should i put a peice of plexiglass over it, and the tub on top of the plexiglass???

Pics would be wonderful

[JimiSnakes]

hmm...that is preference man. The sliding over them can wear them tape down, but if you use the aluminum tape...it'll be ok. (That is what I do). Or you could sandwich it between something to prevent rubbing, but that is direct heat against an object too...tightly I might add. Or you could "groove" where the tape will lay and that would work too. Preference. Sorry no pics.