Rack setup on a budget?

Thanks Ken, that is most helpful.

So, you put the thermostat probe on the flexwatt and not actually inside the tub, right? Sorry, this is a whole new ballgame for me.

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Originally Posted by JamesMX39

Thanks Ken, that is most helpful.

So, you put the thermostat probe on the flexwatt and not actually inside the tub, right? Sorry, this is a whole new ballgame for me.

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Yes, on the flexwatt on the middle shelf. That way you know the max temp the flexwatt is getting, and then you also have to monitor temps in the tubs.

32-41 quart tubs like was mentioned.

I use a 1/8 piece of mdf or melamine as a spacer when building my racks. this leaves a tiny gap for airflow, and then you can add holes as needed. If you make it EXACTLY fit the tubs, then if ANYTHING changes at all, it ends up being tight and a PITA to move in and out.

Still probably need air holes depending on the spacing for ventilation. Normally people put a certain number of holes, and then cover them up, or add more to reach the desired humidity. I know that on my one rack they are at 60% most of the time, I just adjust the humidifier in the room to change my humidity, but I know some cover a few of the holes to raise it.

Okay, I think I have everything figured out except for one thing.

I am going to order my flexwatt stuff, and I don't really know what I will be needing to order. Am I going to want to have these wired in series or paralell? How much should I order? How many connectors will I need? I am planning on using the 41 qt tubs.

I have everything else figured out, but this flexwatt stuff has me thoroughly confused.

Also, as for the thermostats, what does non-proportional mean? I was considering the Johnson or Ranco ones, but they are non-proportional. I can't afford the more expenisive ones at this point so if the cheaper ones will work I will use them until I can afford a better one...

I went out and got everything to build my rack, but I only have $120 left over to get the heating stuff.

Any ideas?

a ranco will work fine. are you going to route one piece of flexwatt through the rack, or make a piece for each shelf?


here are some sites to order flexwatt through

www.reptilebasics.com

www.beanfarm.com


vaughn

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Originally Posted by JamesMX39

Okay, I think I have everything figured out except for one thing.

I am going to order my flexwatt stuff, and I don't really know what I will be needing to order. Am I going to want to have these wired in series or paralell? How much should I order? How many connectors will I need? I am planning on using the 41 qt tubs.

I have everything else figured out, but this flexwatt stuff has me thoroughly confused.

Also, as for the thermostats, what does non-proportional mean? I was considering the Johnson or Ranco ones, but they are non-proportional. I can't afford the more expenisive ones at this point so if the cheaper ones will work I will use them until I can afford a better one...

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As far as the flexwatt, you have to consider how you want to heat your rack. Do you want belly heat or back heat? If it's kept in a consistently warm room, you can get away with an 11" strip of Flexwatt down the back of the rack. If not, plan on placing a 3" or 4" strip on each shelf for belly heat. It doesn't really matter if you wire it parallel or in series, but it could be a factor depending on the number of strips and what thermostat you use because of the rated wattage of the thermostat.

A non-proportional should be fine. The difference is tha the non-proportional is essentially an on/off thermostat whereas the proportional will actually regulate the amount of current going to the Flexwatt and keeping it at a more consistent temperature. Expect a temperature fluxtuation of anywhere from 2-5 degrees with a non-proportional, and with a proportional you can expect that range to be within 1 degree.

The room is generally on the cold side, and I was planning on doing belly heat, but should I do back heat as well?

I'm still unsure as to how to wire it up and all. Should I put an 11" strip of flexwatt down the back of the rack, and have it not be on the tubs themselves, or should I get the 3" and put it along the bottom of each tub directly? Or should I put it on the top of the shelf below it so that it isn't in contact with the tub itself?

Sorry, I'm just confused as can be on this whole flexwatt thing. I know that it's what I want to do, but I don't know how to go about doing it.

You probably won't be able to get the temps high enough with just the 11" back heat if your room is cool. If you put the 3" underneath the tubs, you may want to get a proportional thermostat as a N-P would probably get too warm for your snakes as it is just on/off. Depending on your shelves, if you place the FW underneath the shelves, it probably won't be able to warm the tubs enough.

In a cool room, I would go with the 11" down the back and 3" under the tubs connected to a proportional. If you can't afford that, you could probably get away with the 3" on a rheostat and the 11" on a non-proporational thermostat.

snakey snake snake it would seem that u know whats up id like to make a rack to house about 12-18 snakes adult ones and as low cost as possible incluyding aboslutely everything id need what do i think is cost?

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Originally Posted by Ninjapython

snakey snake snake it would seem that u know whats up id like to make a rack to house about 12-18 snakes adult ones and as low cost as possible incluyding aboslutely everything id need what do i think is cost?

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Sorry I havnt built an adult rack yet :) So I dontk now the exact costs.

The actual wood wouldnt be expensive, Im guessing you'd need 12-18 1' pieces of 11" flexwatt, 12-18 tubs, and a thermostat. If I get time I will write up a plan with estimated costs.