Heat Tape Installation Help

Please advise me how to protect the heat tape from rubbing against the tub. I don't have the tools or skill to recess it. I'm thinking I can put a piece of sheet metal on top of it. Any better ideas?

Do not put the metal on top of the heat tape! It will cause a fire. The metal will cause a short circuit and the tape could reach hundreds of degrees. Add something like linoleum tiles under the tubs so rather than moving the tape lower you're moving the tus higher.

I'm not sure why you are worried about it rubbing on the tub, most of my racks have had the tubs rub on the heat tape and it's never been an issue. A few have had the heat tape on the back instead of the bottom of the tub. Do you mean the edges getting pushed up? I use aluminum tape to secure the heat tape to the rack, which conducts heat.

No metal. Got it. Thanks.

I just thought that the tub rubbing the tape would damage the tape over time. If you say it won't, then I won't worry about it. Thanks.

If you have the tape mounted on the bottom and the tubs are rubbing then it will damage it. However, if the tape is on the back and the tubs aren't rubbing it then it won't damage it. It would take many years of rubbing to cause damage but eventually they would need replaced and I've heard of the tape reaching dangerous levels because of this.

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Originally Posted by Erie_herps

If you have the tape mounted on the bottom and the tubs are rubbing then it will damage it. However, if the tape is on the back and the tubs aren't rubbing it then it won't damage it. It would take many years of rubbing to cause damage but eventually they would need replaced and I've heard of the tape reaching dangerous levels because of this.

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Weird, I've never had that happen but I suppose it's possible after many, many years. Maybe some brands have thinner plastic coating? I want to say the oldest rack I've ever had is 15 years or so, normally the wood sagging is the first problem I have and I redo the whole thing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Erie_herps

If you have the tape mounted on the bottom and the tubs are rubbing then it will damage it. However, if the tape is on the back and the tubs aren't rubbing it then it won't damage it. It would take many years of rubbing to cause damage but eventually they would need replaced and I've heard of the tape reaching dangerous levels because of this.

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My tub has a wide lip all the way around (cement mixing tub). I think it's too much of a gap. Besides, I've always used and prefer belly heat for my ball python.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Erie_herps

If you have the tape mounted on the bottom and the tubs are rubbing then it will damage it. However, if the tape is on the back and the tubs aren't rubbing it then it won't damage it. It would take many years of rubbing to cause damage but eventually they would need replaced and I've heard of the tape reaching dangerous levels because of this.

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My tub has a wide lip all the way around (cement mixing tub). I think it's too much of a gap. Besides, I've always used and prefer belly heat for my ball python.

What size heat tape? We have a large DIY rack made from a plastic shelving unit, and covered the 11"x12" pieces of heat tape with pieces of 12"x12"x.08" acrylic sheet screwed into the rack. Kind of pricey but it worked, and we can easily disassemble and move the rack if needed since the heat tape isn't' actually attached to anything, the acrylic sheet holds it on the shelves.

Tubs are 54 qt under-bed style so they're pretty heavy and the rubbing tub would definitely damage the heat tape if it weren't protected.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Erie_herps

If you have the tape mounted on the bottom and the tubs are rubbing then it will damage it. However, if the tape is on the back and the tubs aren't rubbing it then it won't damage it. It would take many years of rubbing to cause damage but eventually they would need replaced and I've heard of the tape reaching dangerous levels because of this.

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My tub has a wide lip all the way around (cement mixing tub). I think it's too much of a gap. Besides, I've always used and prefer belly heat for my ball python.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

What size heat tape? We have a large DIY rack made from a plastic shelving unit, and covered the 11"x12" pieces of heat tape with pieces of 12"x12"x.08" acrylic sheet screwed into the rack. Kind of pricey but it worked, and we can easily disassemble and move the rack if needed since the heat tape isn't' actually attached to anything, the acrylic sheet holds it on the shelves.

Tubs are 54 qt under-bed style so they're pretty heavy and the rubbing tub would definitely damage the heat tape if it weren't protected.

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It is a two foot length of 21" heat tape from Reptile Basics.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

What size heat tape? We have a large DIY rack made from a plastic shelving unit, and covered the 11"x12" pieces of heat tape with pieces of 12"x12"x.08" acrylic sheet screwed into the rack. Kind of pricey but it worked, and we can easily disassemble and move the rack if needed since the heat tape isn't' actually attached to anything, the acrylic sheet holds it on the shelves.

Tubs are 54 qt under-bed style so they're pretty heavy and the rubbing tub would definitely damage the heat tape if it weren't protected.

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My heat tape is 21 x 24" from Reptile Basics.

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll have to figure a way to recess the tape. Probably a useful skill to have in my quiver as this won't be the last enclosure I build.

I use heat pads, similar to tape. (tape is hard to find in the UK)
To avoid rubbing I put thin plastic self adhesive floor tiles on the part of the floor where the heat tape is not. This lifts the tub 1 or 2 mm above the tape/pad and there is no or reduced rubbing. especially if you have the water bowl at the other enc (front) for ballance.
This saves me recessing.
My systems last for decades this way.

I recessed it. Dug through two layers of the plywood. It doesn't look to bad and it's not visible anyway.

I don't have the room to raise the tub up. Not even a quarter inch.