raising ambient temp in my tub

[tttaylorrr]

i'm new to tub setups and Coffee Bean's tub is my first go at them. so far she's doing very well, however i'm heating her ambient temps with a space heater and i'd like to move away from this. is it possible to maintain correct temps using 4" heat tape + 'stat? i've read heat tape is not the best as an ambient heat source, but a lot of people use it successfully.

Coffee Bean is in a 15qt tub; my idea was to place the heat tape on the outside of the short side of the tub (which is ~6" wide), not on the bottom, and place the 'stat probe inside. i was also planning on taping styrofoam over the tape for some insulation if needed.

does this sound like it could work? does anyone have better ideas or other suggestions? any input is appreciated!!!

[RickyNY]

Triple T, that's a great idea. I think you should give it a go

[tttaylorrr]

Triple T, that's a great idea. I think you should give it a go

i'm trying. do you have experience with heat tape?

also, for anyone else: as i move up in tub size, i assume the effect of the heat tape on the ambient temps won't remain the same, correct? if so, is there a way to mitigate this?

[SDA]

I don't have experience with tubs so I don't know about moving up sizes but I would assume it the same as any other enclosure size... 1/3 of the enclosure should be heated by an UTH.


Not sure if it answers anything but I use ultratherm heat pads from reptile basics or Amazon for two reasons: 1) already assembled and 2) they don't get lava hot like other pads/tape. That doesn't mean you don't need a thermostat just that they aren't insanely hot without one (they still get HOT)

Reptile basics will also assemble heat tape for you to your specifications so if you want to go that route, it's about the same price. Flexwatt, which they don't sell is about equal to their THG tape.

Heat tape assembly guide from them

http://www.reptilebasics.com/thg-heattape-connections

[tttaylorrr]

I don't have experience with tubs so I don't know about moving up sizes but I would assume it the same as any other enclosure size... 1/3 of the enclosure should be heated by an UTH.


Not sure if it answers anything but I use ultratherm heat pads from reptile basics or Amazon for two reasons: 1) already assembled and 2) they don't get lava hot like other pads/tape. That doesn't mean you don't need a thermostat just that they aren't insanely hot without one (they still get HOT)

Reptile basics will also assemble heat tape for you to your specifications so if you want to go that route, it's about the same price. Flexwatt, which they don't sell is about equal to their THG tape.

Heat tape assembly guide from them

http://www.reptilebasics.com/thg-heattape-connections

thanks for the reply. i use Ultratherm heat pads for all my enclosures. her tub now has one, but i was hoping to use heat tape as a supplemental heat source for the ambient temps, not using it on the bottom.

[SDA]

thanks for the reply. i use Ultratherm heat pads for all my enclosures. her tub now has one, but i was hoping to use heat tape as a supplemental heat source for the ambient temps, not using it on the bottom.

I am not sure they provide adequate radiant heat for the air in an enclosure. That is actually a good question and one I would be curious to know. I would assume heat tape in a tub would be a bad idea (not sure if sticking it on the top of the tub lid would radiate heat at all)

[tttaylorrr]

I am not sure they provide adequate radiant heat for the air in an enclosure. That is actually a good question and one I would be curious to know. I would assume heat tape in a tub would be a bad idea (not sure if sticking it on the top of the tub lid would radiate heat at all)

my idea was taping it to the short side (cool side) on the outside of the tub and using styrofoam to try and insulate the heat.

i know heat tape isn't meant to affect ambient temps but people use it in racks and other applications with success. i have never used heat tape before so i was hoping someone with experience could chime in and let me know if this could work.

[SDA]

What about on the long end of the side? Use heat tape for say 50% of that side and have it closely regulated with a good thermostat? Since radiant heat doesn't actually heat the air but the surface and indirectly that surface heats what touches it, it might just work so long as you keep it under say 85 degrees F.

[tttaylorrr]

What about on the long end of the side? Use heat tape for say 50% of that side and have it closely regulated with a good thermostat? Since radiant heat doesn't actually heat the air but the surface and indirectly that surface heats what touches it, it might just work so long as you keep it under say 85 degrees F.

yeah i'm not planning on going any hotter than like 82°. it's worth a shot i guess, and if anything i'll learn how to use heat tape (or learn how NOT to use it lol).

[SDA]

Keep us posted. I am curious about alternative for ambient heating tubs