I recently acquired an 8 tub rack with 3" flexwatt going down the back. Is that enough or should I add belly heat?
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06-26-2016, 11:49 AM
Slim
A lot will depend on your ambient temperature. You may need to run the heat tape at over 110 degrees to get the right warm spot temp.
Best way to know is to set it up and let it run for a week.
06-26-2016, 12:06 PM
locolobito
Re: Rack heat
Thank you. Ambient with a/c is 73. On current rack I have thermostat set at 100 for belly heat only and tubs read 88-92 at hot spot. I don't track ambient unless it my tanks.
Currently with new rack and rheostat hooked up I have bottom tub at 87 degrees and 55% humidity. Waiting another hour to see if temps and humidity hold or not.
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06-26-2016, 04:09 PM
locolobito
Re: Rack heat
Since setting up, all tubs are holding back heat at 89 degrees with 60% humidity. I feel good about that. Not using hide for back but using hides for front/cold side. Thanks Slim.
is this the rack u just got? i see heat tape and heat mats of different brands. :confusd: how are u regulating the temps? the heat tape seems to be uniform but the various heat mats might be different wattages and if so, may require different power and regulation requirements for safe and effective heating.
06-28-2016, 08:16 PM
locolobito
Re: Rack heat
That is one of old ones. Mats are wired together per watt usage And each set had its own thermostat. Flex watt was wired together and hooked up to a rheostat. One for hot spot and for ambient. But I am trying out a rack system with back heat. Of I like it then I will buy it and the one just like it for the other 5. But the plastic shelves I have been using for 8 months with no problems.
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07-05-2016, 04:07 PM
Ax01
Re: Rack heat
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ax01
is this the rack u just got? i see heat tape and heat mats of different brands. :confusd: how are u regulating the temps? the heat tape seems to be uniform but the various heat mats might be different wattages and if so, may require different power and regulation requirements for safe and effective heating.
Quote:
Originally Posted by locolobito
That is one of old ones. Mats are wired together per watt usage And each set had its own thermostat. Flex watt was wired together and hooked up to a rheostat. One for hot spot and for ambient. But I am trying out a rack system with back heat. Of I like it then I will buy it and the one just like it for the other 5. But the plastic shelves I have been using for 8 months with no problems.
sounds like alotta trouble but u do u. IMO i would have snaked 1 long piece of heat tape and controlled that with 1 thermostat. no need for all the different pieces of heat tape, heat mats, thermostats, rheostats, etc. also FYI, heat tape and heat pads don't raise ambient temps. they just heat and provide a hot spot for whatever they come into contact with.
07-16-2016, 02:37 PM
locolobito
Re: Rack heat
Ax01 your right but ambient in tubs were warmer than room temp. But now I have 2 35quart 8 tub racks with 11 inch back heat run off an INKBIRD ITC 306T.
