Flexwatt strip too small?

well i ordered some flexwatt strips and i think i made a mistake. i'm using 41 quart tubs for my rack, and Reptile Basics Rich suggested 4" flexwatt. i asked for them to be cut in 8" lengths, and now that i look at them, i think 8" is too small. will an 8x4 hot spot be good enough? i haven't made the rack yet...

the heat tape should be about as long as the tub is wide. it looks like a 41qt sterilite is 12.5" wide but 8" may be okay--i suggest you try it and see. you don't have to permanently attach the heat tape, so you can replace it with something bigger if you need to.

i imagine it will reach the proper temps, but i just want to make sure such a small area will be enough. anyone else want to put in their 2 cents?

I'd say give it a shot, center it as best as you can and place your hot hide directly in the center of that. If you feel you need to bump it up to a bigger size than do that. I really don't see an issue with it as long as temps are reaching the desired readings and that the hide will fit in it's entirety over the flexwatt.