New rack w/ back heat... HELP!

So we just built our racks with back heat. They've been set up for almost 8 hours now and I was checking the temps. There's almost a 10 degree difference between the bottom rack and the top one. The top two shelves contain 15 qt racks. Those two don't have much of a difference between them, only a couple degrees.

http://www.acepythons.com/racks.html

There is the setup. How can I get the temps more stable throughout? My Helix thermostat is set at 110* ... on the 41 qt racks it's up to abotu 86* in back but at the bottom two it's only about 76*-77*.

Does it take a couple days for a new rack system's temps to even out?

(I don't want to add inhabitants to this rack if the temps aren't correct, so I'm bumping this)

Also, I let the racks sit overnight and I put a water bowl in the 2nd to bottom one and there was already one in one of the top ones. There is a temp/hygrometer in one of the top ones and it says 85 degrees hot spot and freakin 83 percent humidity. If i solder more holes in the sides, is that going to reduce the humidity, right? BUT won't that also reduce the temp?

I would switch to belly heat, but I really don't want to have to spend another $30 on new flexwatt when I've already spent over $400 building everything (including helix and flexwatt and whatnot). I mean don't get me wrong, I will if I have to!! But, $30 is $30 now days, ya know?

ANY help is GREATLY appreciated!!!!

What is your ambient room temp?

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Originally Posted by iCandiBallPythons

What is your ambient room temp?

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The room temp is 76 in there...it's the warmest room in the house. The air space around the small tubs is very high at 89* and the airspace around the 41qt tubs is 80*

My first suggestion would be to enclose the sides with something more insulating than pegboard. You can get some 1" foamboard at Home Depot/Lowes type stores for pretty cheap.

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Originally Posted by m00kfu

My first suggestion would be to enclose the sides with something more insulating than pegboard. You can get some 1" foamboard at Home Depot/Lowes type stores for pretty cheap.

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I agree. You are losing a lot of heat through the pegboard.

Thanks guys. I'll pick up some more solid board at the store today and see what happens.

Take the plunge and change to belly heat. You won't be sorry.

Jim Smith

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Originally Posted by j_h_smith

Take the plunge and change to belly heat. You won't be sorry.

Jim Smith

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I was debatin that :) ... still might if I can't get these temps to stabilize. the bottom ones are just wayyyyy too low :(

I think I missed something somewhere... What is the material on all 3 sides of your rack? Can you please post a pic?