Rack tub temps vary between 85 and 95 on heat tape?

Hot air rises......i have the same issue with my racks. Took a while to dial in but the key is to really get the room temp to your min. I like the idea of separate control for bottom and top but really defeats the purpose and convenience of a rack system.

I actually use two Herpstat 4 thermostats that control four levels each (8 total) and one VE-100 in my breeder rack with 9 levels, so one controller per level. I know it's overkill but I want my females to have the perfect heat at all times, the success of my breeding season depends on it. And it's only the initial expense that is tough, once you set it up you never really look at them again. It also helps that I can put a different kind of snake on one level and turn down the temps if I ever want to. I also have separate (cheap) temp probes with alarms on each level. If this thermostat gets unplugged there's no alarm that will go off without power, it could get cold for a long time before you notice. And if I ever decide to expand and just use one controller per rack like everyone else this controller will handle up to four racks.

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I had the same problem with my six tub AP rack. The bottom tub is cooler because it doesn't have another heated tub underneath it. I installed a one inch layer of foam insulation under the rack and this helped my temperatures in the bottom tub. It is still a few degrees cooler, but within reason. The snake in there appears to be happy and eating well,

It does kind of suck and I guess defeats the purpose of a rack if I used a separate controller for each level... I do have a spare herpstat though, so maybe I'll just end up adding its own UTH to the bottom tub. Alas LOL

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Originally Posted by Phillydubs

Rather than ditch the rack why not just run single heat tape for each row or extra in cooler rows?

i don’t have a rack but when I was looking at them I’ve heard a few stories such as yours and most folks added another strip or a side strip because like the one user said the spread of heat carries greatly from one area to another

even in my 4x2 pvc I have a 23” by 12” heat tape and I see descrepencies and had to play with it and it was rather frustrating at first.

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Yeah, mine is with individual heat tape in each row... I wonder if it would turn out better if I used UTH instead. :S Heat tape maybe seems more variable.

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Originally Posted by ScottS

I had the same problem with my six tub AP rack. The bottom tub is cooler because it doesn't have another heated tub underneath it. I installed a one inch layer of foam insulation under the rack and this helped my temperatures in the bottom tub. It is still a few degrees cooler, but within reason. The snake in there appears to be happy and eating well,

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That foam is a good idea, I'll add that and see!

Yes, temp differences are rather normal. I don't find it much of an issue but I also keep the entire room heated to a base temp and I think that helps.