Heat tape is just not getting that warm.

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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.

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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.