New rack is done!

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Sealed OSB sheets drying.

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Attaching 1X2 to shelves.

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Putting it all together.

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Attaching the heat tap to the shelves.

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Tubs installed and t-stat running.

Tubs are 41 quart sterilite, t-stat is a VE-300 and I'm using 12" heat tape. It is also on casters for easy movement. Thanks for looking!

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Nice job. Did you only seal one side of the OSB sheets? Sometimes condensations forms and drips off the tub on to the shelf. That may cause a problem over time.

Also, I have never used the 12" heat tape for belly heat, only back heat. It gets super hot if the t-stat fails. You may want to add another on/off t-stat or a dimmer as a backup in case the VE-300 fails.

Good luck with it.

Thanks, and maybe I will switch it to back heat. Would I just wrap it around the back of the tubs? If so it will be too tall. I am actually working on setting it up and adjsuting temps right now and at 86 degrees I was still getting a reading of above 95 with my temp gun inside the tubs. I am going to buy another thermometer to verify my temp gun isn't reading high but for now I dropped the t-stat down to a set temp of 80 and will see how that works. I did only seal the top sheets of OSB and that is a good point that you bring up. Maybe since it is exceptionally dry here I'll be okay, but time will tell!

Looks good! I use a rheostat as a backup in case of t-stat failure. Also, as I clearly missed it, welcome back!

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Originally Posted by gsarchie

Thanks, and maybe I will switch it to back heat. Would I just wrap it around the back of the tubs? If so it will be too tall. I am actually working on setting it up and adjsuting temps right now and at 86 degrees I was still getting a reading of above 95 with my temp gun inside the tubs. I am going to buy another thermometer to verify my temp gun isn't reading high but for now I dropped the t-stat down to a set temp of 80 and will see how that works. I did only seal the top sheets of OSB and that is a good point that you bring up. Maybe since it is exceptionally dry here I'll be okay, but time will tell!

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I'm not suggesting that you use back heat on 41 qt. tubs. You may want to put the 12" heat tape aside for a hatchling rack and get a new 4" tape setup for belly heat. It's cheaper to run the tape through the rack in one piece without cutting it and have only one connection to the electrical cord. Using that method each tub gets belly heat and heat on one side because of the way you snake it through. On a long tub like you're using place the heat tape so that it's 3-4 inches from the back of the tub. The heat will radiate forward and back creating a good size hot spot but not so big the snake can't get away from it.

Make sure you secure the probe directly on the heat tape with clear packing tape, not aluminum tape. As for the unsealed OSB, just watch for dripping as you use it. An easy fix in a small area would be kitchen cabinet contact paper. It's cheap and will protect the OSB and you won't have to take the rack apart.

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Originally Posted by swansonbb

Looks good! I use a rheostat as a backup in case of t-stat failure. Also, as I clearly missed it, welcome back!

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You didn't miss it, I just haven't posted about being home yet as I've been pretty damn busy getting settled back in. Either way, thanks! It has been great to be back so far and I will get to go see my sons before Christmas is here, so that will be amazing.

John:
I used a glue gun to secure the probe - one spot on the cord before the probe and one dab on the very tip of the probe. With the t-stat set at 80 I got temp readings between 88 and 92 on the floor of the tubs, but I do really like your idea of getting about 20' of 4" tape and running that all of the way through. I can use at least one piece of the 12" to put into a cooler for a cooler incubator this spring/summer when/if I get some eggs from the two females that I will be pairing up this year. Also, good idea on the contact paper. If I see that I end up having a problem with moisture I will keep that in mind.

Bruce your home! I thought it was getting close to that time now happy you made it back safe and sound. Nice rack can't wait to see your room and collection pics. When you setting up for the gators? I wanna see pics of all that too

Nice :gj::gj:

Looks good.
Welcome home sir.

I agree with replacing with 4" belly heat. Welcome back!