Converting a bakers rack to a snake rack

[Andys-Python]

I am going to convert my 4-shelf wire bakers rack into a snake rack. I am planning on covering each wire shelf with a sheet of Formica board and use heat tape and a thermostat to regulate the warm end of the snake tubs. Each shelf is 4 feet long and 24 inches wide
My questions are:

1. What type of heat tape do I use?
2. How big (wide) should the heat tape be?
3. Do I need a thermostat for each shelf or will one work for all 4 shelves?
4. Assuming I use only one thermostat and I daisy-chain the heat tape together, how long can the heat tape be and still work?
5. I will eventually expand to another shelving unit. Should the second shelving unit be entirely seperate from the first? ie seperate thermostats, heat tape etc.?

I know there are a lot of variables here and a lot of questions, but I want to do this right the first time and I would appreciate everyone’s input and suggestions. Is there something I'm not considering? Something I should think about?

Right now the racks will hold mostly juvenile Ball Pythons and a few adults. The juveniles will, of course, grow up and I will need to expand to more racks.
I am currently keeping the room at 85F and all the snakes are happy, but I want to give them the perfect setup.

Andy-

[satomi325]

I am
My questions are:

1. What type of heat tape do I use?
2. How big (wide) should the heat tape be?
3. Do I need a thermostat for each shelf or will one work for all 4 shelves?
4. Assuming I use only one thermostat and I daisy-chain the heat tape together, how long can the heat tape be and still work?
5. I will eventually expand to another shelving unit. Should the second shelving unit be entirely seperate from the first? ie seperate thermostats, heat tape etc.?

:

I suggest using THG heat tape from Reptile Basics. It heats up more consistently than the older flexwatt heat tape. Depending on the size of your tubs, I recommend 4 or 6 inch tape.

As long as each pieces of heat tape are the same size, you can regulate them on the same thermostat. Just plug in a power strip into the thermostat and plug the heat tape pieces into the power strip. If the pieces are different size, you cannot use the same thermostat(probe) unless it has the capability to read and control multiple different heat sources. The wattage to the different sizes tape is different and won't regulate correctly on the same Tstat probe.

You can also Daisy chain the same size pieces of tape together to get the same effect as the power strip method. I personally prefer the power strip because I can unplug unused shelves.


You don't need to have separate tstats for the different shelves as long as everything is the same.
There are many ways to set up your rack. You just have to find what works best for you. Some people daisy chain tape, some run and weave one long piece of tape through the shelves, and others just have individual pieces of tape per shelf and use the power strip. There is also the option of running one 12' heat tape down the back for back heat. Its all personal preference.

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