Heat tape is just not getting that warm.

Looks like the paper towel holds heat and displaces it better if there is more heat tape surface area.


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Originally Posted by Billy29

On the paper towel, should I measure the tub itself?

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Always measure the tub itself. These guys like to move whatever substrate you're using, so you want to get a reading on the hottest surface they can come into contact with (the floor).

So which setup would you use? The double or single heat tape?


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Originally Posted by Billy29

Looks like the paper towel holds heat and displaces it better if there is more heat tape surface area.

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It's more likely that the accuracy of the thermometer isn't less than a single degree. ;)

Is 77 degrees warm enough for the cool side?

That's at keeping my bedroom at 72 degrees. http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07...8876ced077.jpgbasic view ow the rack.


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Originally Posted by Billy29

Is 77 degrees warm enough for the cool side?


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Yeah I think really anything over 75 is ok if you provide a hotspot.

Hot spot of 85 ok on the paper towel? I don't think they are smart enough to move the paper towel.


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Originally Posted by Billy29

Hot spot of 85 ok on the paper towel? I don't think they are smart enough to move the paper towel.

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1) They are smart enough. 2) When they lay on the paper towel, it will be warmer than the paper towel just resting on the tub. 3) Even if neither of these were true (they are), 85 is still fine. ;)

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Originally Posted by Billy29

So which setup would you use? The double or single heat tape?

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The 3" should be good (I use it on all of my racks), but there's nothing wrong with 6" with either size tub you're using. :gj:

Ok I feel so much better about building the rack myself now. I'm going to use paper towel for the bottom it holds the heat well.

What is the ambient temperature of your room?


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Originally Posted by Billy29

Ok I feel so much better about building the rack myself now. I'm going to use paper towel for the bottom it holds the heat well.

What is the ambient temperature of your room?

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It doesn't fall below 78, but I would have no worries about using it if it were a couple degrees cooler than that also. I also use "paper towels" (actually Repti-Zorb Liners) in all of my tubs.

Apparently my bedroom is at 75 degrees on that side and where the air conditioner is its 72 degrees.

So the ambient temp in the rack is 77 degrees with a hot side of around 86 on the paper towel and 94 degrees under the paper towel. I'm going to set the thermostat now so the heat tape doesn't go above 95 degrees.

So I'm guessing it's safe to move my snakes in once I run it with the thermostat for a day.


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Originally Posted by Billy29

...I'm going to set the thermostat now so the heat tape doesn't go above 95 degrees.

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Not the heat tape itself above 95° - it's the tub surface that you don't want that warm. My personal preference is the surface not above 90° - they really don't need anything warmer that.

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Originally Posted by Billy29

So I'm guessing it's safe to move my snakes in once I run it with the thermostat for a day.

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Yes. :D

I thought you were supposed to tape the thermostat probe to the heat tape?


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Originally Posted by Billy29

I thought you were supposed to tape the thermostat probe to the heat tape?

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You are. I thought that's what you were doing. :confusd:

Step 1: Tape thermostat probe to heat tape.
Step 2: Set thermostat temp to desired temperature (I set mine at 90°).
Step 3: Wait at least an hour and then measure the temperature of the surface of the tub with a thermometer (probed or infrared).
Step 4: Adjust your thermostat temp up or down based on the thermometer's reading: If the thermometer reads 2° cooler than your desired temperature, turn the thermostat up 2°; if the thermometer reads 4° warmer than your desired temperature, turn the thermostat down 4°; etc, etc, etc.
Step 5: Repeat Step 3 and 4 until you reach your desired temperature on the surface of the tub (I prefer 88-90°).

Yes? :cool:

Thank you, yes we were on the same page.




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I checked the temps of the single piece of tape and the ambient was 77.5 and the hot spot under the paper towel was 92. Should I drop the thermostat a little before I put the animals in?


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Originally Posted by Billy29

I checked the temps of the single piece of tape and the ambient was 77.5 and the hot spot under the paper towel was 92. Should I drop the thermostat a little before I put the animals in?


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If it were me, I'd drop it by 2 degrees to float right around 90. Besides the snakes not needing more than that, you'll save a little bit on electricity and have a bigger safety net should anything get off a little bit on you.

Billy, make sure Not to tape over the probe!!! Your tape should go over the wire while the probe itself is not covered in any way. By tape or anything else.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Billy29

I thought you were supposed to tape the thermostat probe to the heat tape?


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Repeat! Do not tape over the thermostat probe! Tape the wire of the probe to the shelf or the heat tape as the probe rest directly on the heat tape uncovered.

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Originally Posted by Albert Clark

Repeat! Do not tape over the thermostat probe! Tape the wire of the probe to the shelf or the heat tape as the probe rest directly on the heat tape uncovered.

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Why?? Running mine enclosed under foil tape without any problems for several years now.

I have the thermostat dialed in and my readings are.

Ambient temp and cool side 77 degrees

Hot side 85 degrees on the paper towel, 90 degrees on the tub just over the heat tape.

How is this?


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You should be good. Give it a day or two and then recheck.

How is the humidity in the tubs?

Humidity is at 60%

I have been holding pretty steady temps since yesterday. I put a back on the rack and I was able to drop my room temp to a comfortable 70 degrees and the ambient temp is between 77 and 78 degrees.


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Originally Posted by Albert Clark

Repeat! Do not tape over the thermostat probe! Tape the wire of the probe to the shelf or the heat tape as the probe rest directly on the heat tape uncovered.

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This creates a potential for inaccurate readings. You only want to be measuring the surface temperature of the heating element. This would mean you want the probe to have as much contact with the surface of the tape as possible with as little interference from the surrounding air (tape over probe). I would either use duct or foil tape.