For Tub-Users: Flexwatt Question

For those of you who tape your flexwatt to the bottom of the tub, and then the probe to the underside of the flexwatt--do you remove the flexwatt/tape for cleaning of the tub? If so, have you ever had it tear? If you don't remove it, don't you worry about electrocution or shorting out?

I was going to tape the flexwatt to the bottom of the tub, then the probe to the flexwatt. Is it equally as effective leaving the flexwatt "loose" and wedging the probe between the flexwatt and the tub?

I'm trying to get my tub set up and tested so I can pick Auryn up in a week or so, so I'd like to get a system down.

Any advice/opinions/experiences with the flexwatt taping issue would be appreciated :)

Thanks in advance!

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Originally Posted by AzureN1ght

For those of you who tape your flexwatt to the bottom of the tub, and then the probe to the underside of the flexwatt--do you remove the flexwatt/tape for cleaning of the tub? If so, have you ever had it tear? If you don't remove it, don't you worry about electrocution or shorting out?

I was going to tape the flexwatt to the bottom of the tub, then the probe to the flexwatt. Is it equally as effective leaving the flexwatt "loose" and wedging the probe between the flexwatt and the tub?

I'm trying to get my tub set up and tested so I can pick Auryn up in a week or so, so I'd like to get a system down.

Any advice/opinions/experiences with the flexwatt taping issue would be appreciated :)

Thanks in advance!

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Are you talking about putting flexwatt on the inside of the tub? I don't think anyone does that. Flexwatt goes on the outside of the tub on the bottom if you will be taping it to the tub. Place your thermostat probe on the bottom of the tub under any substrate and tape it down good.

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

Are you talking about putting flexwatt on the inside of the tub? I don't think anyone does that. Flexwatt goes on the outside of the tub on the bottom if you will be taping it to the tub. Place your thermostat probe on the bottom of the tub under any substrate and tape it down good.

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No, not the inside. I'm talking about taping it to the bottom of the tub--and then taping the probe to the outside of the flexwatt. I mostly wanted to know if people who did this had success/if they removed the flexwatt for cleaning, and if they did so, if they ever had issues with the flexwatt tearing.

I'm kindof leery about taping anything inside of the tub (eg. the thermostat probe)--the last thing I want is a curious snake with tape on him and a difficult removal...

It would be better to tape the flexwatt to another surface so you can remove the tub easily. if you tape the probe down, right you will not have a problem with it coming up. You can also setup a dummy tub to the side and not worry about it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

It would be better to tape the flexwatt to another surface so you can remove the tub easily. if you tape the probe down, right you will not have a problem with it coming up. You can also setup a dummy tub to the side and not worry about it.

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Unfortunately a dummy tub isn't an option. I don't have the space for that. It would be awesome if I had a rack system or a larger space, but I don't at the time being :)

Well, I only have the one tub with flexwatt at the moment, myself. And taping the flexwatt to a surface other than the tub itself just isn't an option. So...it's taped to the underside of the tub. I did leave the t-stat probe loose so it can just be slid out for cleaning...that way the whole t-stat doesn't have to travel with the tub. But the flexwatt and its powercord do. I'm just careful not to get the outside/bottom of the tub wet for cleaning.


I have a hole melted in a bottom corner of my tub that the t-stat probe slides into and rests on the floor of the tub. However, if you want to attach it between the flexwatt and tub...try leaving a little gap in the tape...and leave that area of the flexwatt just loose enough that you can slide the probe in and out. Once its in there, it shouldn't have to be taped.

Hope that made some sense....kids are running around like little maniacs and I'm not sure I'm even speaking English anymore!

I agree that *if possible* flexwatt should not be affixed directly to the tub. I can't state any specific adverse affects of doing so but just with cleaning it seems like a huge inconvenience. The one time you get a little water in the wrong place and plug it in...who knows what could happen.

After some re-adjustment, here's what I've got:

Flexwatt taped with aluminum tape to the bottom of the tub. On the flexwatt, the probe is taped with aluminum tape.
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r...t/Flexwatt.jpg


I've got my enclosure elevated slightly off of the surface using the little felt furniture elevator thingies.
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r.../TubSetup2.jpg

A shot of the thing from above for good measure. I've got a crock for a water dish and two temporary hides made out of cool whip containers (waiting to get hides from NERD when I pick my boy up, so I'm sure they're the right size). I'm using indented KRAFT paper as substrate.
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r.../TubSetup1.jpg

So far, temps are holding steady at 91 on the warm side, 81 one the cool side.

:sunny:

Thanks for replying, all.

Excellent call on elevating the tub!