Ok, a few questions:

1) Can I set up say 3 separate lines 3 feet long of 4in heat tape and a section of 11in heat tape in parallel so I only have one outlet?

2) Can I plug multiple strips of heat tape into an extension cord then plug the extension cord into a thermostat or rheostat (assuming I don't go over its wattage).

3) Assuming I want at least some of my heat tape strips to run parallel how much extra cord do I need if my shelves are around 7in apart? I will be getting it done through reptile basics, if that sheds any light.


And most importantly: assuming my shelves are designed to hold a 41qt tub without much extra room on any side, will my ball be able to properly thermoregulate if there is say a strip of 4in heat tape running along the entire back of the shelf? I could maybe see problems with this, since the gradient would be longways instead of the more typical heat tape going under only the right side with the left side being unheated. If it went all across the back the snake would only really be able to move forward to get cooler, which is a much shorter distance (only about 17in) than moving from left to right (which is around 35in). The reason I would like to have the tape going all along the back is because it would allow the same shelf to house one 41qt or a 15qt+32qt or multiple smaller tubs.


I guess I can state my goals for my rack while I am here. I am looking to make rack with eight shelves, each around 6.5-7in apart (all the tubs I will be using are around 6in in height, there may be some variance but nothing greater than an inch). I would like to have as much flexibility in cage placement as possible. I will probably devote the bottom 3 to 41qt tubs. The others will be filled with 32/15/6qt as needed.


Thanks for your help.