Rack testing

I have a 4 bin adult melamine rack(for bp's) that I want to test to find out how much it is going to swell. There is about the width of a CD case between the bin and the shelf. I have two questions that I need answered.

1) Just for testing purposes, is it ok to plug the heat tape directly into the wall without a temperature regulator? All I want to do is fill the water dishes and put them in the empty bins(rack will not house snakes till Oct.) and bring up the humidity to swell the rack.

2) If the spacing stays at the width of a CD case, will this be to much of a gap for a snake? Would they be able to get there head through and bend the bin with the rest of their body?

Thanks in advance

Gerald

I would actually suggest an unregulated test. I always run a un regulated test myself on everything to find the max. This is useful two ways if you have a variable temp room (racks are not recommended in them BTW) you can see where the heat capes and decide if the room ambient is colder will it even be enough. It will also tell you how badly you need a fail safe to protect against T-stat failure. I prefer my heat systems to run maxed at 100ºf if they run over (most of mine do) they need a failsafe as well.

Your gap is 1/4 inch? or so. I don't think a Royal would get out unless it was just a baby. They are very strong I have a female whom has moved tubs out some I would think that with that much a gap a snake might get more purchase and the tub would not bind as much. It may open a possibility for a snake to move the tub open. Long shot but once they figure something out they just keep doing it.

Where I live the law is (silly) but enclosures must be 'secure and escape proof' Secure from the outside. I have looked at lots of securing ideas but settled on golf T's (ok not really secure but....) I drop them in a hole in front of the tub the tubs will not move past them. You may want to think of something like that just in case.