Rack Heating

I'm going to build a rack with 27qt tubs and Im having trouble figuring out what size of flexwatt to use. Since I have a cool basement Im thinking that the 11" running under half the tubs is best. Also is the ideal gap between the top of the tub and the bottom of the above shelf.

I probably wouldn't run the flexwatt underneat half of the tub, you may be better off running one strip of 3" somewhere in the rear third of the tub. The idea is to give them some options as far as thermoregulating. I don't think you need 11" wide flexwatt for that small of tub.

I agree with Brad, don't think you need 11" for a 27 qt tub. Use 3" or maybe even 4" on the back third of the tub and it should be fine. :)

Provided a t-stat is used, I don't think it matters too much what size you use. 11 inch doesn't get as hot as 3 or 4 inch h-tape. You can run it under a shelf which will provide a warm floor spot in the tub above the shelf, but in my experience you will want a half inch thick shelf or it will get too hot!

3" definitely..

The problem with 11" wide heat tape and a 27 qt tub is that the snake would have to move completely to the other end of the tub to escape the heat.

Sputik: If you had a probe controlling the temperate of the heat tape, why would 3" heat tape set at 94 degrees be any hotter than 11" heat tape set at 94 degrees? The only difference in that the area being heated to 94 is 3" wide as opposed to 11" wide.

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

Sputik: If you had a probe controlling the temperate of the heat tape, why would 3" heat tape set at 94 degrees be any hotter than 11" heat tape set at 94 degrees? The only difference in that the area being heated to 94 is 3" wide as opposed to 11" wide.

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What's heavier? A pound of feathers or a pound of bricks.

Is this for ball pythons? ... cool basement or not, an 8 - 10 degree temp gradient would be pretty hard to achieve with 11" heat tape under a 27 qt tub.

If your basement is that cool, you might want to consider 3" heat tape under the rear 1/3 of the tub AND 3" heat tape under the front 1/3 of the tub with either 2 thermostats or a thermostat and rheostat used in tandom on the two heating "zones".

-adam

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Originally Posted by jglass38

What's heavier? A pound of feathers or a pound of bricks.

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Jelly beans. :rolleye2:

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Jelly beans. :rolleye2:

-adam

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mmmmm...jelly beans..

This is for boas, but ya Im thinking that some flexwatt under the front will be neccesary. I have been thinking though of putting my snakes in my closet with a space heater on a thermastat. Right now the ambient just around my balls tub is about 75 with a space heater. The closet Im considering is about 72"x30". Would it be that much better if I moved everything into the closet.

I did that a while ago....used a space heater on a JC thermostat....worked wonders! In a room thats set at 82...the heat tape barely lifts a finger to give you a 94 degree hotspot.

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Originally Posted by jglass38

What's heavier? A pound of feathers or a pound of bricks.

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Depends, a pound of bricks will hold together better then a pound of feathers! LOL

I have noticed that 3in heats up quicker and seems to hold a hotter temp until the thermostat kicks it off when the desired temp is reached.

Just my observation!

Up to the rack builder to decide what he or she wants to use. I do use 11 inch for some things and 3 inch for others, I'm not saying one is better then the other. Either way you lean there are 3 options available.

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Originally Posted by Sputnik

I have noticed that 3in heats up quicker and seems to hold a hotter temp until the thermostat kicks it off when the desired temp is reached.

Just my observation!

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I guess thats from some kind of "efficiency" issue with the thermostat and the heat tape. What kind of stat are you using?

I use Ranco thermostats, it could just be me that is noticing it. I'm not totally sure.

I'd probably go with 3 or 4 inch.... are the 27qrts long or are they short and tall?

Can make diff!

to my knowledge, flexwatt doesnt work properly with an on/off T-stat, you have to use a proportional T-stat. Even if Flewatt did work with an on/off, I'd still be using proportional anyways. On/off T-stats are best lest for controlling ambient room temps IMO ;)

Im just guessing youre using an on/off from this, if youre not... nevermind me :D

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I have noticed that 3in heats up quicker and seems to hold a hotter temp until the thermostat kicks it off when the desired temp is reached.

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Originally Posted by Uncle Festae

to my knowledge, flexwatt doesnt work properly with an on/off T-stat, you have to use a proportional T-stat. Even if Flewatt did work with an on/off, I'd still be using proportional anyways. On/off T-stats are best lest for controlling ambient room temps IMO ;)

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Not true...Ive used flexwatt with on/offs with no trouble. Of course proportionals are more stable and I always suggest them!

thanks for correcting me Jamie, I was in no way speaking from personal experience, I was just going off what a certain supplier told me (I think he just wanted to sell me a proportional)... I like personal experience better ;)

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Originally Posted by Uncle Festae

thanks for correcting me Jamie, I was in no way speaking from personal experience, I was just going off what a certain supplier told me (I think he just wanted to sell me a proportional)... I like personal experience better ;)

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No problem...Sounds like you need a new supplier. People who sell suplies should be honest. The truth is, both proportionals and on/off tstats work. Of course proportionals are better, but if an on/off works for you, that is cool. Who would this certain supplier be? (although I understand if you dont want to reveal :) )

lets just say I think he was trying really hard to meet his sales quota from Spyder ;)

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Originally Posted by Uncle Festae

lets just say I think he was trying really hard to meet his sales quota from Spyder ;)

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Oh damn..I must excuse myself from this conversation now. Back to the igloo! On Dasher, on Dancer...err...yeah

What I have noticed in my rack is a on/off works fine with belly heat, but can lead to some temperature swing when using back heat. A proportional does hold a nice steady temperature either way though.

Im gonna get a Herpstat 1 for the rack and use one of my rancos for the space heater.

sorry to interrupt this thread but i was wondering if anybody has any experience with running flexwatt down the back of the rack instead of under every tub. how would it affect the temps and which would you guys recommend?

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Originally Posted by bigballs

sorry to interrupt this thread but i was wondering if anybody has any experience with running flexwatt down the back of the rack instead of under every tub. how would it affect the temps and which would you guys recommend?

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I had a rack that had the heat run down the back and it wasn't as efficient at providing heat to the tubs. It would probably work ok for a small (6 qt or 12 qt) tub than it would for larger tubs.

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Originally Posted by Wild Bill

I had a rack that had the heat run down the back and it wasn't as efficient at providing heat to the tubs. It would probably work ok for a small (6 qt or 12 qt) tub than it would for larger tubs.

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Exactly! Back heat works for small hatchling tubs. For anything bigger youll want belly heat.

cool.

thanks, ill keep that in mind.:colbert2:

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Originally Posted by Wild Bill

I had a rack that had the heat run down the back and it wasn't as efficient at providing heat to the tubs. It would probably work ok for a small (6 qt or 12 qt) tub than it would for larger tubs.

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I've got a rack with 15 qt tubs that uses back heat (flexwatt). Not too much of a temperature gradient, but keeps the babies at a nice stable temp (i keep mine at 86-88) wherever they choose to be in the tub.