Heat tape in the front of the rack?

[Sargentnoid]

I built a new rack that I can swap between 12qt and 28qt tubs by just moving the heat tape but that got me thinking if putting the heat tape towards the front would work or if it may loose to much heat. Just wanted to know if anyone had any experience with this.
Thanks

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[JodanOrNoDan]

I see no reason why it would not work. I primarily use ambient but the one rack I have heat tape in, it is actually on the side. There are probably two reasons to put it in the back that I can think of. The first would be that if the tub is pushed all the way to the rear you would know that it was correctly under the tub just by having the tub touch the back o the rack. The second would be that the wiring would be neater.

[Sargentnoid]

I may give it a try. The wiring wont be a problem as there is some extra space on the sides and I just staple it down a couple times and in front I can see if the tubs are resting on it ok and I'm already looking at using Styrofoam as a back stop for the short tubs. the biggest problem I could see was the extra wear from the entire tub dragging across the heat tape but i solved that by putting aluminum flashing over it. The biggest problem will be the thermostat probe placement so it wont get nocked off the heat tape.

[Sargentnoid]

Seems to work just fine its holding 89-90 hot spot and 82-83 on the cool end in both 12qt and 28qt tubs