Rack Heating

[greenmonkey51]

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.

[elevatethis]

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.

[Wild Bill]

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.

[Sputnik]

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!

[jglass38]

3" definitely..

[elevatethis]

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.

[jglass38]

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.

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

[Adam_Wysocki]

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

[Adam_Wysocki]

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

Jelly beans.

-adam

[jglass38]

Jelly beans.

-adam

mmmmm...jelly beans..