Got my rack! Few questions...

I finally got my rack and set it up, so the snakes & I should be much happier now! Couple of questions, though... the shelves are REALLY tight, and the tubs barely fit over the heat tape. Any way to fix this? I thought about buying smaller Sterilite lids (the current ones are pretty thick), but they don't sell the lids separately - so I'd have to buy all new tubs. :cool: Second question, where do I put the probe from the herpstat? I stuck it in Mona's tub, near where the Acu-Rite probe goes... is that okay? I'm sure I have more questions, but I guess that's it for now - LOL. Here are some pictures of the setup, and PLEASE let me know if anything looks incorrect:

Ahhhhh... so much more organized and clean!! :gj:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...0/DSCF1137.jpg

With the tubs (not all the snakes yet)
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...0/DSCF1145.jpg

The flexwatt - a little messy, but it works.
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...0/DSCF1138.jpg

Oh, I just thought of something... even better than making the shelf space larger, how about making it smaller so I don't need lids? Could I do that? :weirdface

from what i heard you could totally do that

the tubs in my rack dont have lids ^-^
the rack i hav also has a gap in the back so i have a space to put the probe
(right underneath the tub)

Oh snap... I forgot the probe goes UNDER the tub. :colbert: I'll go fix that right now! And regarding the lidless tubs, how would I go about doing that? If I take the lids off now, the babies could easily escape - it's about a 1/8 inch gap, give or take.

you've got to make the rack smaller

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Beto510

you've got to make the rack smaller

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Well yeah, but how? :D I'm no carpenter, in fact my roommate had to do it for me... so a more detailed explanation would be fabulous! I assume adding thin pieces of wood could work, but should I put them on the bottom or top of each shelf? And how would I attach them?

Here's a picture of the gap, when I took the lid off Mona's 41qt tub... I think even she could squeeze through that. :oops:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...0/DSCF1147.jpg

Okay, one more question... I've been doing searches on the forum, but can't find the exact answers. :P What should I set the herpstat temperature at? I don't have the night drop cable, so it's just one probe which is now under the tub (on top of the flexwatt). I currently have it set at 90F - is that correct? TIA for all the help!!

Well, you could do that and just add thick enough wood to to let it clear perfectly and screw it down. or you could move the shelves DOWN a bit just mark where you would want them to be repositioned and re screw them in. make sure the tubs are snug i guess? :) GOOD LUCK!

Oh yeah... as a librarian, I should have figured out your second suggestion (moving the shelves down). We always do that with library bookshelves, to accommodate different sized books. :D

Let me knoe how it goes! :):gj:

Don't use lids.

You can buy Corrugated plastic sheet. They are about 1/4 inch, so they should replace the lids. You can either screw them in place or glue them, but try it first before sticking it in place.

For the probe, put in the middle shelf (let's say your second row on top or bottom), right on the heat tape between 2 tub. You can use sillicon or something to keep it in place. Then you adjust your thermostat to fit the temperature inside your tub. Let's say you have a 2.5 degree difference between the temperature on the heat tub and inside your tubs and want a 92F temperature, put your thermostat at 94.5F. But you will to test it before getting the right temp you want. Also, it's should take a few hours for the rack to stabilize at the right temp, since the melamine need to take some heat etc...

good luck

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Watever

Don't use lids.

You can buy Corrugated plastic sheet. They are about 1/4 inch, so they should replace the lids. You can either screw them in place or glue them, but try it first before sticking it in place.

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Thanks! Should I put the plastic sheet on top (inside) of each shelf? And they'd be attached directly to the wood - right? I'd rather use glue than screwing them in, so what would be the best kind of glue? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm a newbie at this construction stuff... LOL.

Btw, I didn't realize I'd have to tape down the flexwatt, and ended up bending one row (while sliding in the tub). :oops: Luckily I have an extra shelf in the rack, so I just unplugged that strip & moved the tub down. Is that bent piece now ruined? I'd like to use all 5 shelves eventually, so might have to replace it... d'oh! I'll get some aluminum tape asap, to make sure the others are securely in place.

Hmm I'd lean toward putting it on top of the shelf with the flexwatt attached to the plastic. Gravity and glue degradation could cause problems putting it under the shelf and then you're back to square one. There are several adhesives you could use like Goop or Gorilla Glue but do read the labels concerning toxicity.

Not familiar with flexwatt, hook it up and see if it heats :)