Heat tape for rat rack

I live in buffalo and weather is starting to get really cold. I have 2, 6 level rat racks and I keep them in the garage. I use home depot cement mixing tubs in the racks. Has anyone ever used heat tape and a thermostat on the tubs instead of heating the entire room in the winter months, I feel it would be much more effective and efficient but would like a little input from anyone with experience. Thanks in advance.

Interesting... I've never seen it done but I'm guessing it would work! I'd be very interested to see how it does, I'm thinking of moving some rats into the garage and heat tape would be a perfect solution.

I'm going to give it a try when I get a chance and I'll update how it works.

When I first only had a couple racks I hung a silver tarp around them with enough space to make their own little room and used an oil filled heater.
It worked good to keep them around 60 degrees.
After I built more racks I just insulated my shed with 2 layers of reflectix insulation.
Now I can hold 60 to 80 degrees all year.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

When I first only had a couple racks I hung a silver tarp around them with enough space to make their own little room and used an oil filled heater.
It worked good to keep them around 60 degrees.
After I built more racks I just insulated my shed with 2 layers of reflectix insulation.
Now I can hold 60 to 80 degrees all year.

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I think this is what most people do, but if you try to heat an enclosed area you have the problem with venting the smelly air and heating the new fresh air. Seems like heat tape on the bottom would save on electricity costs, you could have a really chilly room and still keep your rodents breeding.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cchardwick

I think this is what most people do, but if you try to heat an enclosed area you have the problem with venting the smelly air and heating the new fresh air. Seems like heat tape on the bottom would save on electricity costs, you could have a really chilly room and still keep your rodents breeding.

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You have to remember if you warm them too much they will stop breeding AND you will also be directly warming their poop and urine (might also increase the smell).
Would be interesting to try and see.

I'd probably set the tape heat to mid 80s, you wouldn't over heat anything and they would breed just fine. Maybe give them a lot of bedding they can dig into and make a nest.