heat tape on tanks??

ok i know that most of you probably prefer rack systems with tubs but i really like the display aspect of tanks. Here is my problem... I currently have 2 balls in 2 tanks. I keep my house relatively cold (72-76 degrees) and that cannot be changed at the moment. I also do not have any space to devote to a "snake room" (I WISH!!) This means 2 che's, 2 uth's, 2 thermostat's, and a dimmer which equal A LOT OF CORDS!! It looks like a damn electronics store exploded in my room and frankly I'm worried that it's a fire hazard. I am interested in heat tape but I don't understand how it works or know anything about it. Would it help eliminate some of the cords?? Is it possible to use on a tank? How does it work? How do you hook a thermostat up to "tape"?? Could it be used to control both ambient temps and basking temps?? Thanks in advance

Heat tape isn't going to eliminate cords. It's essentially the same thing as a UTH, without the black vinyl covering. There will be a cord coming off of the heat tape that needs to be plugged into the thermostat, the same way your current UTH is wired.

First off heat tape does not effect ambiant temperatures at all.

Heat tape works like any other UTH, you plug it into the thermostat, and place the thermostats probe on the heat tape.

Here is all the info you will ever need on heat tape:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/flexwatt_faq

Heat tape must have a thermostat to control it.

Yes you can use it on a tank, but all it will do for you is create a hot side.

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Originally Posted by Inknsteel

Heat tape isn't going to eliminate cords. It's essentially the same thing as a UTH, without the black vinyl covering. There will be a cord coming off of the heat tape that needs to be plugged into the thermostat, the same way your current UTH is wired.

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okay so what about when someone has more than one piece of tape on a tank/tub...does each piece have it's own wire going to several thermostat's? and the tape is pretty thin right? so how much area does one piece it actually heat up?? is there a good link out there somewhere with pictures that explains exactly how it works??

Heat tape is thinner than a sheet of paper, and it heats up pretty much it's entire surface.

Each strip will have its own wire and require a thermostat. It works the exact same way as a UTH because a UTH is just heat tape inside a fancy package.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by brittani72

is there a good link out there somewhere with pictures that explains exactly how it works??

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You tape it to the bottom of the tank, stick the thermostat probe on it, and plug it in. Not rocket science lol

lol okay your right not rocket science. so what is the benefit of using heat tape instead of a traditional uth?? how does the heat tape work in a rack system?? does the tape go on each tub individually?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by brittani72

lol okay your right not rocket science. so what is the benefit of using heat tape instead of a traditional uth?? how does the heat tape work in a rack system?? does the tape go on each tub individually?

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The biggest difference between flexwatt and other UTH's is the cost. At $3-$5 per linear foot it is far cheaper than other UTH's.

Usually heat tape in a rack will go on each shelf so each tub touches it.

got it okay thanks guys :)

Aside from what was already said, you can also wire heat tape together. So instead of having 2 cords plugging into the thermostat, you have just one.

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