New Rack......

[zoomin31]

If flexwatt can melt a tub, it can surely melt that foam crap.

If you feel safe enough using that rack, go for it. In the end, it is your animals that are at risk.

And you would know that from your first hand experience with it. Maybe you didn't read my post. I ran a little mock setup last night, for a total of five hours i ran the unregulated flexwatt with a big thick book right on top of it. Trying to achieve the hottest temps i could. I measured the heat with a temp gun, it ran a consistent 188 degrees with the book on it. I bet if I do the same test on a tub it will melt. I have another test i an gonna run but if it passes like it did last night I am gonna use it.

[dr del]

Hi,

And you would know that from your first hand experience with it. Maybe you didn't read my post. I ran a little mock setup last night, for a total of five hours i ran the unregulated flexwatt with a big thick book right on top of it. Trying to achieve the hottest temps i could. I measured the heat with a temp gun, it ran a consistent 188 degrees with the book on it. I bet if I do the same test on a tub it will melt. I have another test i an gonna run but if it passes like it did last night I am gonna use it.

Just a few misunderstandings to clear up.

It is malfunctioning flexwatt that could get hot enough to melt plastic etc. Flexwatt that is operating correctly will not get that hot unless something else is seriously wrong somewhere.

And no, 188f will not melt your tub either.

The main problems with this design from my point of view are structural integrity and toxic fumes if anything went wrong.

In a traditional rack with plastic tubs a damaged flexwatt or heat pad might get a hot spot capable of melting a little bit of the tub relasing fumes etc which might well kill the occupant of the tub. But the structure of the shelves might help protect the tubs above and below it enough to keep them alive.

In the poly rack in those circumstances it is far more likely to melt over a larger area as the rack structure itself is more succeptable to the heat. It might simply mean you get more of the toxic fumes or it could mean the shelf below it melts too and the bottom tub gets a nice bath in melted, flaming styrofoam.

As long as everything goes in your favour and no problems occur you might well be fine - but if they don't you are far more likely to be SOL.

I urge you to consider the tale of the three little pigs and the big bad wolf.

You are not building with brick in the above example.

In racks the actual construction material is usually the cheapest component compared to heating and control. You really aren't saving much money at all and the chances of disaster are a bit too high for me to feel comfortable using it.


dr del

[BPelizabeth]

I urge you to consider the tale of the three little pigs and the big bad wolf.


dr del

You truly come up with the best quotes!!

To the OP...I really do hope it works for you. For me I have far far far too much money sunk into my animals to take that chance. But that is just me...I tend to not cut ANY corners when it comes to them...in fact I tend to go over the top. So take our concerns for just that ....concerns for your animals welfare....not flaming you.