Tubs directly on flexwatt?

[saber2th]

Ok thx. The tub size are 25q, 19x15x7 inches tall. Will be using cocofiber as substrate. I will place the tstat probe under one of the tubs, so it's between flexwatt and tub. Should I tape the flexwatt so I can get it nice and close to the bottom if the tub or will it be ok laying flat? Cuz like I said the tuba aren't perfectly flush flat on the bottom. They kinda go in on the middle

You will want to tape the flexwatt down with some aluminium tape. Just run some of the tape along the long edges(just enough to hold it down), do not cover the whole thing. You can get this tape in most hardware stores. I found some at Walmart cheaper. Then tape your prob on the flexwatt next to the tub. Give it ample time to warm up, then check the inside temp on the bottom of the tub under the substrate. Cause this is where you snake will be most of the time, and snake will move the substrate. Hope this helps!

[Vypyrz]

What size is the wood you are using for the Flexwatt?

[yeroc1982]

Well I'm buying 2 feet of flexwatt, dunno what I'm goin to use to tape it on. I have a price of glass I could tape it on, gota see what I have at home. What else can I use?

[Vypyrz]

Well I'm buying 2 feet of flexwatt, dunno what I'm goin to use to tape it on. I have a price of glass I could tape it on, gota see what I have at home. What else can I use?

I am in the process of setting mine up similarly. I am using melamine shelves that I had cut to size at Lowes. You can also use Polystyrene insulation. I actually put a notch in mine for the probe to set in under the heat pad so the tub wouldn't wobble on it. I'm not done with the project yet but I can get some pics up later this afternoon of at least that part of it...

[yeroc1982]

Sounds great, I'd love to see pics. I decided instead of 1 big peice of flexwatt, I'm gona use 2 separate peices, 1 for each and I'm gona tape them up to the bottom of the tubs. Where should I put my tstat probe, inside, under substrate or outside, in-between the heat and tub??

[Zedd]

you can tape the flexwatt to the shelf and tape the t-stat probe to the flexwatt tape.

the way my new rack is setup is, I have feet on the bottom of my tubs. This way the tub isn't wobbling on the probe. I hope this helps. I will get pics up tomorrow.

oh and my rack is made out of melamine with a hardboard back.

[shadow120]

you want the prob outside between the heat and the tub

[yeroc1982]

Ok so outside the tub is what I will do. I'm just wondering if I should use cocofiber or just some paper towel for substrate. Thing is my ball is still young and don't want to change too many things and stress her out, she's doin great right now, very good eater and just had her first perfect shed the other day. I will be using 1 of the same hides, she outgrew her other hide so I'll need to find a new one. These tubs are not totally clear, they are kinda fogged out. Should I still be using 2 hides? Iv herd others say u don't need any when using tubs but I just want to make sure.

[shadow120]

from what ive seen most people use 1 or no hides in tubs but if you have room for 2 put them in. as for substrate use whatever you want it really dosent matter

[Vypyrz]

I have never used Flexwatt so everything I have is with UTH's. For the tubs that have an indented bottom, The probe will fit between the heat source and tub without causing much, if any, wobble.
My current set-up, I have the probe mounted to the bottom of the tub, and the UTH mounted over that...




It's quick and easy to do, but it is inconvenient when it comes cleaning time, because you have to deal with the cords, and if you need to wash the tubs out, you have to remove and re-attach everything. To avoid having to do this, you can simply mount the probe and heat source to another surface and set the tub on top of it. In these photos, I am using some melamine shelves that I bought at Lowes and had cut to size for a project I am working on.
Tape the heat source down. Tape the probe to that. Set the tub on top and it sets flat...









Since some of my tubs have different or plain flat bottoms, I needed a way to mount the probe to keep the tubs from wobbling on the probe. My solution was to route a channel into the wood with my Dremmel tool, which allows me to recess the probe under the heat source, and the tubs still set flat. These photos are just mock-ups of how the final set-up is going to be.

The probe slot routed out...


The probe mounted in the slot...


The heat source mounted over the probe...


I still have a few more bits and pieces to get before I do my final assembly but that is how I plan to set up the t-stat probes and UTH's...