Heat Tape Question

Im building my snake rack this week and just wanted to ask if its ok to use heat tape directly on the wood shelves and under the tubs? Ill be using a Helix to control temps.

Yes, just make sure you have a thermostat.

i tape heat tape directly onto the shelves ( i nyears past I didn't even boher to tape, might be why I wore out a couple pieces wore fast cause there was direct rubbing all the time.) I found that liquid nail works really well to hold the tape down andwont aloow i tto roll back up. I then quick glue tiles down ( now ) to act as an bump guard as well as a small spacer > preventing overheat it looks like now. but it does require the tape to run at a longer time cycle . the main think with the heat tape is t omake sure the ends are covered and protected to prevent breakage.

I tape it across the front where the tub slides over it so the heat tape lays flat and doesn't get damaged.
Directly on top of wood or melamine is perfectly fine.