New Rack

I'm almost done with building my new rack for my pythons. I will be using 28qt tubs and I'm trying to figure out what heating system I should go with. I prefer belly heat and I was considering flexwatt heat tape but I am afraid that I would wear out the heat tape every time I pull/push the tub. What do you guys use? Suggestions?

Thanks.

M

Mine is using flex watt, it was owned by 2 people before me and the tape still looks pretty much brand new. I think u will be ok using flex watt!!!


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My racks were bought, and they use flexwat. To hold the flexwat in place, they placed strips of PVC over top the tape and glued the ends down.

Flex Watt.

Depending on what type of tubs you are using you will notice your contact points on the heat tape. You can get some Aluminum (Tin) Tape and tape the edges of the Flex Watt and/or the contact points to minimize the amount of friction that is put on the Heat Tape, this will reduce the wear.

No big issues with rubbing?

I also have flexwatt but have given thought to switching it out for cable. The reason is simple. When you clean the body of the rack (monthly) I spray disinfectant into each level the instructions on all disinfectants I have ever used are quite clear. Saturate the area and wait for the correct contact time (10-30 min depending) . Liquid and flexwatt are not very good together unless you have used waterproof connections. Cable is water resistant flexwatt is not usually. Racks are hard enough to clean the additional effort in dealing with flexwatt and liquid just adds more grief to an ornery task.

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

I also have flexwatt but have given thought to switching it out for cable. The reason is simple. When you clean the body of the rack (monthly) I spray disinfectant into each level the instructions on all disinfectants I have ever used are quite clear. Saturate the area and wait for the correct contact time (10-30 min depending) . Liquid and flexwatt are not very good together unless you have used waterproof connections. Cable is water resistant flexwatt is not usually. Racks are hard enough to clean the additional effort in dealing with flexwatt and liquid just adds more grief to an ornery task.

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I would reccommend it. I bought a used 10 tub AP rack and it is easier to clean than my RBI one which uses flexwatt. You can actually "flip/fold/pop" the cable out of the "groove" and clean the cable and the groove. (This is probably a bad description. If you want i can snap a few pics for you, i know im more of a "visual" person myself). It would be like if you had an extension cord and it got dirty. As long as you dont get the end wet, you can wipe down the whole thing pretty much no problem. It also still creates a fine hotspot for them.

used tubs in my rack can do 2 things router out a were the flexwatt will sit (to allow to sit lower than the tub line) but I had not had any problems , I just need to figure out what will hold to the wood in my racks lol.. as for wear just take a light feel of the flex watt to feel for damage ( mainly your going to find the edge rough as it caughts the tubs)