A few rack questions

[mainbutter]

I have recieved my boaphile rack (4 Sterilite # 1960 tubs, 34 1/2" long 16 1/2" wide 5 5/8" Tall) and have had it up and running for a few days now.

I've been playing with temp values on our herpstat and wanted some input.

1) if temps and humidity are acceptable, are ventilation holes necessary, or is there enough airflow already?

2) With the flexwatt running at 95*F, temps are lower for the hot spot and ambient air than desired. How high can I set the flexwatt and still have it be safe?

3) Water dish - cold side or warm side? With a large dish on the warm side, would we have higher and more stable temperatures/humidity?

If I have any more Qs, I'll put 'em up.

[Powerspythons]

I have recieved my boaphile rack (4 Sterilite # 1960 tubs, 34 1/2" long 16 1/2" wide 5 5/8" Tall) and have had it up and running for a few days now.

I've been playing with temp values on our herpstat and wanted some input.

1) if temps and humidity are acceptable, are ventilation holes necessary, or is there enough airflow already?

2) With the flexwatt running at 95*F, temps are lower for the hot spot and ambient air than desired. How high can I set the flexwatt and still have it be safe?

3) Water dish - cold side or warm side? With a large dish on the warm side, would we have higher and more stable temperatures/humidity?

If I have any more Qs, I'll put 'em up.

idk about boaphiles cause I've never used em, but generally in the racks I build there is a nice 1/16"-1/8" space at the top of the tubs that can provide enough air flow as long as the air is moving around your tubs..aka if you run a ceiling fan or something to keep air moving, but I put holes in my tubs anyways.

I'd set your flexwatt so that your hotspot *inside the tub* reads no more than 95*..and I think 95* is almost pushing the limit..I keep mine closer to 91*

For water bowl placement, go with whatever works best to get the right conditions. Front, middle, back, I dont think it really matters.

[mainbutter]

well right now the ambient isn't even over 70* with room temps at 65, and when I IR the hot spot it's pretty darn cool. I have my probe taped down to the flexwatt, and the probe is completely covered with aluminum tape.

[Powerspythons]

Try using a different kind of tape to tape the probe down to your flexwatt. Aluminum foil tape can insulate it and cause the flexwatt to stay cooler..cause under the aluminum foil tape it might be 95*..but that means that everywhere else it's cooler.