Rack Issues Need Help

I have been messing around with my new rack for awhile now and just can't get the right temps. It has three tubs one piece of heat wired through to my helix. I have it set at 95 degrees. My top tub is 84 max, Middle 88 max, Bottom 92 from my three flunker thermos and from my digital max 95. What should i do the probe for the helix is right on the heat tape.

You always need to have the temp on your helix set higher than you want to get the tubs at a good temp! The tubs are always off from each other by a degree or two on each level. The top is the hottest because heat rises. The bottom should be at 89-90 and the top should be no more than 95! It is a bit of a pain to ticker with it but once you get it right on then it should hold it for good!

Thats the thing though is its close to a 10 degree difference. I have had it set for much higher but today I lowered it till I got the first tub I was measuring to 92 degrees then I measured the others and it is just way to big of a difference. If I get the top to to be 92-94 the bottom will be over 100.

What size flexwatt are you using? Is it one piece continuous piece throughout the rack or one piece per shelf? How many shelves are there?

What I learned is how are you taking the temp. Are you using a temp gun right on the plastic. There is something about taking the temp on the plastic that makes it off. Make sure you have either your substrate, paper or whatever you are using down...then take the temp.

It's one long piece weaves through it all. There is two shelves. When I have been taking the temps I have been doing it right over the cypress mulch with three flunker thermos and my heat gun. If I put tape down on the inside of the tub would that make it hotter or cooler. I'm just trying to get it so I can at least have basking temps of 89-95.

Try putting your thermostat probe on the middle shelf.

thats where it is

What kind of rack is it?

http://www.pvccages.com/id181.htm

It was from PVC racks. Love the rack just having trouble with temps.

How long is the total length of flexwatt? The longer it is, the more of a temperature variance you will have from one end to the other.

Are you using the black flukers digital thermometer? that one is good for measuring ambient air temperature but not surface temperature. Try sticking a probe right on the plastic where the flexwatt is and see if that gives you a more consistent reading.

The shelves will vary in temperature by a couple degrees. The top shelf is usually hotter then the bottom shelf, not the other way around.