Heat Tape Overheated?

I was switching around some of my bps in my racks and noticed that one of my tubs had some holes burnt through the bottom of my 41 quart. So I checked the tape and it was pretty hot, but my thermostat was reading it at a normal 90.5. The tape is ruined though, it's a bit warped and it had some discoloration. I've never had this happen before, I'm assuming the tape started going bad? All other racks attached to my thermostat are fine.

My question is, where would be a good place to get heat tape? I'm in PA. I thought it would be easier to find.. 3 of my snakes are sitting without heat right now so I want to fix it as soon as possible :(

What kind (brand) of heat tape was that? Gosh, I've used Flexwatt for literally decades without any issues like that...:(
Is that same thermostat controlling other heat tapes too? Are they the same size as the one that fried?

Anyway, here's the best suppliers I know of, hope it helps:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/

https://beanfarm.com/

It happens even with a reliable thermostat that functions properly.

Somehow part of the heat tape will malfunction burn up and melt a tub and worse.

Had it happen twice in 12 years, that's why you have to inspect your heat tape on a regular basis even more if the heat is not recessed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

What kind (brand) of heat tape was that? Gosh, I've used Flexwatt for literally decades without any issues like that...:(
Is that same thermostat controlling other heat tapes too? Are they the same size as the one that fried?

Anyway, here's the best suppliers I know of, hope it helps:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/

https://beanfarm.com/

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I am pretty sure it's flexwatt, but this rack was given to me as a gift. It is a larger tape than my others but it was recessed and well secured. I have a herpstat 4 that controls 3 racks and the others are fine. I am pretty confused because the rack is only a few years old and I never thought I'd have an issue!

Thank you for the suggestions

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deborah

It happens even with a reliable thermostat that functions properly.

Somehow part of the heat tape will malfunction burn up and melt a tub and worse.

Had it happen twice in 12 years, that's why you have to inspect your heat tape on a regular basis even more if the heat is not recessed.

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Thank you for sharing that! I am so so hoping it isn't a thermostat problem but I don't think that it is. Now my problem is that this heat tape is screwed in and taped down inside a recess in a 41 quart rack system... and I have no idea how I'm getting the old out let alone setting up new tape once I get some :O

Well good luck with that...keeping snakes incorporates some pretty unexpected skills, doesn't it? ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deborah

It happens even with a reliable thermostat that functions properly.

Somehow part of the heat tape will malfunction burn up and melt a tub and worse.

Had it happen twice in 12 years, that's why you have to inspect your heat tape on a regular basis even more if the heat is not recessed.

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Oh, I believe you...I guess I've been lucky, considering how much I've used over the years (& still use) but none of my tapes have any abrasion issues, being
literally UTH, under glass tanks. I suspect that a big part of the issue is from tubs sliding on the tapes...either that or not enough space was left for them to
"breathe" as the directions say, causing the tape to overheat. That's more likely for those of you keeping BPs or any snakes that need the higher temperatures
than what I mostly keep.

I've had the same issue with Flexwatt melting plastic holes randomly in ideal conditions (rare though).

I've been using Flukers heat mats (a lot of them +++) on my custom racks now for the last 6 years (regulated). They have changed the design slightly over time (not sure if better/worse). They can't get the temps of Flexwatt at full 'on', but, I don't need those temps on a UTH.