Flexwatt/Aluminum Tape/Probe

So our first set of homemade racks are 90% complete. Now all I have to do is wire up the flexwatt, but I had a quick question. I tried searching the forum, but I was a bit confused on what I should do it since we are doing back heat. Do I put aluminum tape/flexwatt/aluminum tape? I heard that this will keep the heat more even.

But if we do it that way, where would we place the probe for the most accurate temp for them? I would assume on the bottom of one of the tubs that is not currently occupied?

Any help is appreciated! thanks!

I run tape down the edges of the flexwatt a few inches in ( I dont cover the flexwatt completely)and then tape the probe directly on the flexwatt in the middle.

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Originally Posted by iCandiBallPythons

I run tape down the edges of the flexwatt and then tape the probe directly on the flexwatt in the middle.

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Even with backheat? Thank you, I appreciate that! I'm just really excited to get these done so I can get rid of my aquariums and have more room :)

My 32q racks I use belly heat and I do the flexwatt this way, so when I built a baby rack I just applied the same, so far Ive had no problems, I just made sure the flexwatt was very tight against the back of the rack. Keep in mind though that with any rack the flexwatt temp will differ from the actual temp inside the bins.

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Originally Posted by iCandiBallPythons

My 32q racks I use belly heat and I do the flexwatt this way, so when I built a baby rack I just applied the same, so far Ive had no problems, I just made sure the flexwatt was very tight against the back of the rack. Keep in mind though that with any rack the flexwatt temp will differ from the actual temp inside the bins.

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Ok thank you. I was just worried that if I put the Flexwatt too close to the melamine it would pose a fire hazard if not covered with aluminum tape. I bought a couple washers to use as a spacer between the melamine and the flexwatt, but maybe I dont need that then. My boyfriend is heinously concerned I'm going to burn the house down.

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Originally Posted by AcePythons

Ok thank you. I was just worried that if I put the Flexwatt too close to the melamine it would pose a fire hazard if not covered with aluminum tape. I bought a couple washers to use as a spacer between the melamine and the flexwatt, but maybe I dont need that then. My boyfriend is heinously concerned I'm going to burn the house down.

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As long as flexwatt is properly wired and controlled, it is not dangerous. Think of it this way, even if you have to heat the flexwatt to 100 degrees to get the proper temps inside the tubs, that is not nearly hot enough to cause combustion. If it were, people who live in hot climates (like Mesa, AZ ;)) would have their houses burn down every summer. If your BF thinks of it this way, he should understand it is not something to be heinously concerned over.

There is always the possibility of something failing, but there are plenty of other places in your house where this is true as well.

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Originally Posted by kc261

As long as flexwatt is properly wired and controlled, it is not dangerous. Think of it this way, even if you have to heat the flexwatt to 100 degrees to get the proper temps inside the tubs, that is not nearly hot enough to cause combustion. If it were, people who live in hot climates (like Mesa, AZ ;)) would have their houses burn down every summer. If your BF thinks of it this way, he should understand it is not something to be heinously concerned over.

There is always the possibility of something failing, but there are plenty of other places in your house where this is true as well.

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Well if it does burn down, i can blame it on him because he's the one who soldered my Flexwatt.... Oh and he almost burned down the house himself by putting too big of a watt bulb into a night light ... glad he stayed in the hallway for a bit cuz he started smelling burning plastic. I was like "Oh wow...WTG honey! *evil stare*"