Heat Tape vs. Heat Cable?

Hey everyone, I just got my first rack today, and it came pre-installed with heat cable. The shelves are routed with 2 passes so there are 2 lengths of heat cable approx 1-2 inches apart from each other for each tub in the rack. The guy I got it from has the same set-up and apparently can get his tubs to 90F no problem, and the temps will stay there. I just set mine up, and I have my heat cable plugged into a VE-200 thermostat and my tubs have been at 75 degrees or below for about 2 hours now. The heater is right behind the rack system and my apartment is set to 74 degrees, so I'm not too worried about that. I have my thermostat probe on the heat cable and it's reading something like 117F, but I checked the inside of the bin and on the bottom it's only something like 82F, so something here doesn't seem to be adding up. Either my thermostat is broken (I bought it used, so i'm hoping it isn't busted), or something else is going on.

Or should I just go with heat tape? it'll cover more of the bottom of the tubs, but like I said - the guy who sold me the rack system (he made it himself out of melamine) is using the same exact setup and is able to keep his tubs at 90F.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...df1025b2b7.jpg

Here is a picture of the rack setup.


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I tried cable once. Mainly because I could get it local.
Been using flex a watt ever since. LoL