Question for large scale breeders

I have a rack system for my BP's with heat tape along the back 1/3 of the tub kept at 90 degrees. Even with that the tubs are only around 81 degrees. Room temp is typically 72 degrees. How can I get the tub temps up without running a space heater constantly which I feel is dangerous. Are the breeders running the large facilities heating the entire facility? or what is their secret to keeping the proper temp in large racks?? Thanks for any insight.

As far as bigger breeders like Kinova, Mutation Creation, BHB, Ozzy Boids, etc. all heat their facilities. Some smaller scale breeders like myself have a dedicated room with a space heater. As long as you have fail safes in place and have that space heater hooked up to its own separate thermostat. You shouldn’t have any issues with a space heater


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I keep a small chest freezer that has only snake food in the snake room. The exhaust from the freezer bumps up the room temp 3-4 degrees over the rest of the house.

I keep the entire house at 74 and don't have any problems with reaching appropriate temps in racks. When you set the thermostat, where are you measuring temps and placing the probe? Here is what I do:

-set thermostat to 90 with probe on the heat tape itself
-let it sit several hours
-use temp gun to check the temp inside the tub, under the substrate
-if not high enough, bump the thermostat up a couple degrees
-wait several hours
-check again
-repeat all but first two steps until temps are appropriate

Some racks thermostat at 92 is enough to get 90 inside, other racks need 96-98. It really depends on the tub type, insulation of heat tape, and so on. You can always add backs and sides to your rack to help insulate the tubs better and use less electricity. All my racks are fully open designs, but for example, the racks in between other racks hold heat better. I also have the ac/heater vent in the reptile room closed partially so there is a bit less circulation through the house of the reptile room air, which keeps that room a bit warmer than the rest of the house.

Hope that helps some!

I get “hot spots” along areas of my heat tape despite what the tstat is set at. However, I’ve been in contact with Spyder Robotics who have told me I should consider swapping out my heat tape. One main reason is because the heat tape is old ( 10years) or more. Previously I was resetting the tstats ( all Herpstats)and that has helped to a degree. ( No pun intended) Lol. Seems that it happens more after a power outage which has been a common occurrence here in Virginia and this neck of the woods.
To lessen the risk of injuries to my reptiles or even a fire I now have a new project to change out all the old heat tape. :cool: