Rack Question

[Midwest Morphs]

This weekend I picked up a new rack from Herpenclosures and a Helix. I have the rack up and running and have a few snakes coming in on Wed and was getting everything right. I have a few questions I have been doing some searching and find alot of contridictory posts

1. Holes in tubs? Needed yes no?

2. Placement of probe. I have it in the tub and have the helix set on 99 i believe and the cage is around 89, might have went up a degree or 2 while im here at work. Should this be on the Tape or ?? Is the degree span O.K. Room temp is usually around 75 all the time give or take a degree or 2.


Rich

[kavmon]

which style rack?


with mine i tape the helix probe directly to the flexwatt.

i set my stats anywhere from 92-94 to get the back of the tubs warm enough.

my room stays 82-84, that's the cool temps.

what is the temp of the room it's in?



vaughn

[MeMe]

with mine i tape the helix probe directly to the flexwatt.

i set my stats anywhere from 92-94 to get the back of the tubs warm enough.



vaughn

That's how I do too.

[CntrlF8]

flexwatt should be kept at or under 95, and your probe should be taped directly to it. You may need to elevate and/or insulate your rack if your room temp is under 80 degrees, otherwise your cool side temps will be too low.

I also got an oil-filled radiant heater and have that placed about 2 feet from the front of my rack. It's set pretty low, and heats my rack to 82-84 in front, and doesn't heat up my whole apartment.

[Midwest Morphs]

I moved the probe a bit in the tub it wasnt all the way over the tape. The Helix is set at 93 and my Hotside is 90 now and cool side is 80.

Its a 4 tub 32qt. 1 tub divided for the little ones.

I dont get why taping the probe directly on the tape is needed My snakes sleep in the tub not on the tape. i would think the probe being in the exact same spot as the snake would give my best most sure results. But thats my .02. If its a problem of the prob being left alone I plan on drilling a small hole in the bottom corner of the tub and running it straight in and if it would work superglue it down under the aspen.

[kavmon]

what happens when you need to clean or move the tub?


imo, taping the probe to the flex, directly controls how hot the flexwatt can get.

if the probe inside the tub gets moved or pissed on, it could alter your temps.

i also wouldn't super glue anything, probes get damaged and need to be replaced sometimes.


vaughn

[Midwest Morphs]

what happens when you need to clean or move the tub?


imo, taping the probe to the flex, directly controls how hot the flexwatt can get.

if the probe inside the tub gets moved or pissed on, it could alter your temps.

i also wouldn't super glue anything, probes get damaged and need to be replaced sometimes.


vaughn

didnt think about the moving and cleaning part

[Midwest Morphs]

What about putting holes in the tubs? this needed? How many?

[CntrlF8]

whether it's needed or not, and how many you have, will be determined by your humidity within the tubs. If it's too high, use a smaller bowl (diameter, not depth) or make more holes. If it's too low, bigger bowl and cover a few holes...

As far as the probe placement, on the flex is better than in the tub for exactly the reasons already mentioned. it regulates the temp of the heat tape directly, without environmental concerns such as the probe being knocked loose, or being pee'd on or having the water bowl spilt. Also, as I mentioned before, flexwatt should not be heated above 95 degrees per the manufacturer's recommendation. If you put the probe in your tub and set the thermostat to 93, chances are you're already exceeding that.

One last thing... If your probe is currently in your tub and the thermostat is set to 93, your thermometer should read 93 for the warm side also. If it doesn't then your thermometer probe needs to be moved, or you need a new thermometer. The two should be VERY CLOSE to matched.

[Brimstone111888]

I would say wholes are needed. I had to put some extra ones in my Iris 32qt tubs. I use a soldering iron and it do 2 rows of holes all the way around, with each hole about an inch a part.

With out the holes my humidity was around 85% and now its around 70%