Flex-watt setups.

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Originally Posted by monkeywrench133

What you need to check, whether the probe is inside the tank, or under sandwiched between the glass and flex, is the temp on top of the substrata.

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Remember, too, that your BP will move some substrate around and might actually come in direct contact with the glass/plastic bottom. Make sure those surface temps aren't too high as well.

Still noone can submit any photos of their flexwatt taped to the bbottom of the tank. I'm still waiting on some reflectix from Matt @MG. He must be really busy because he doesn't return my phone calls. I called to add to my order since some stuff was backordered I wanted to get some more reflectix and foil tape. Anyone know of somewhere else I can go? Once I get the chlorhexidene (sp?) I will be cleaning and changing the tank and then going to the flex w/t-stat setup. I'm still looking for pics of peoples setup from underneath the tank. Some of the things I would like to get straightened out are what side is up on the flex? Where to tape exactly on the flex? Placement of the t-stat probe? Should tape go over the probe or just hold the wire in position? Hell wher does everyone put their actual T-stat? How much reflectix should go over the flex? Where to tape the reflectix?? I have many ?'s and not many have been answered. Please help!
PS where can I get the foil tape from other than MG?

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Originally Posted by Damian7

PS where can I get the foil tape from other than MG?

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Hardware store?

I'd answer your other questions if I could, but I haven't used flexwatt yet and am not sure. I have my new t-stat tucked behind the cage that it's attached to. I can reach it easily though, to change the settings if I need to.

Walmart has foil tape by all the painting supplies.

Not a lot of people use tanks anymore. I don't have any pics, but it's really easy to picture.

Mat has that aluminum tape (so doesn't walmart, home depot, ace hardware, lowes): tape that to the bottom of the tank, then place the heat tape on it and retape over the heat tape. Make sure to use a dimmer though and tape the probe right next to it.

This is how I would do it. Sandwich it.

~Jim

Edit: I'd keep the HTape a few inches from the side of the tank and go from front to back. Tanks usually have an under lip on the bottom. Use a heat gun and melt out an inch or two section so as to feed the cord through so the tank is not tilted.

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Originally Posted by jim020cricket

Mat has that aluminum tape (so doesn't walmart, home depot, ace hardware, lowes): tape that to the bottom of the tank, then place the heat tape on it and retape over the heat tape. Make sure to use a dimmer though and tape the probe right next to it.

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So you suggest putting a layer of tape between the glass and flex. Meaning the flex will not be in direct contact with the bottom of the tank glass? What would i need a dimmer for the flex will be controled by a t-stat?

The cord will not be an issue as the tank is on a stand with a bit of a lift and hollow middle.
To reiterate that last post. The suggestion was foil tape then flex then more tape to cover the entire flex? I ordered reflectix to tape over the flex to keep the heat insulated as I stated before the bottom of the tank is exposed as my stand is hollow in the middle. I JUST NEED TO VISUALLY SEE THIS! I though maybe just taping the corners down on the flex would suffice? My flex is curled like a mofo (was shipped rolled up). Is there a right side up or down on flexwatt?

Sorry for so many ?'s I just want to be able to do this once and do it right. I also don't want it to be such a hassle untaping all this stuff every month when I clean and disenfect.

Pictures are truly worth 1000 words!!!!!

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Originally Posted by Damian7

I JUST NEED TO VISUALLY SEE THIS! I

Pictures are truly worth 1000 words!!!!!

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I do understand this, but quite honestly, it is not that easy to lift a tank up off it's surface to just take a picture of it to illustrate for someone.

Maybe if someone was just setting one up and could take pictures as they went along, then it would help.

Either side of the flexwatt is fine (no bottom or top side).

I tape the thermostat probe directly to the glass on the outside, lay the flexwatt on top of that and secure it with the aluminum tape. Voila - that easy.

So Robin you tape the probe outside of the tank? Do you tape completely over the probe or just the wire?

I bought a roll of aluminum tape the other day at Lowes for under $10.00, not sure if it was $6.00 or $8.00.

Just tape the Flexwatt to the bottom on one side of the tank and tape the probe to the Flexwatt. Attach the flexwatt to your thermostat and set it to the temp needed to get the desired hot spot in your tank over that hot spot. I have my thermostats most of the year set at 96-100F for a 90-92F hot spot inside my cages and tubs. I check the hot spots regularly with a temp gun and have never had any problems.

In FL heating your cages isn't a problem you have to deal with most of the year. :)