Questions using flexwatt on a rack

[Anthony Renna]

Building my first snake rack and have a question regarding flexwatt. I plan on doing 6 levels (mixed 3 adult 3 hatchling) I plan to use four strips going down the back, would this be good? I know that each strip will hit a hatchling tub but is it ok for each adult tub to get heat from all of these strips? Is it possible to use one thermostat to control all 4 strips or will each strip require a thermostat? I have one now It is a Zilla 1000 watt model.

Also can the flexwatt be "pinched" by the melamine shelves or does it need some space. Lastly is ventilation needed for this or does heat not need the space to escape?

Sorry if these are dumb questions just want to get everything right

[The Serpent Merchant]

You can run all 4 off of one thermostat, but I wouldn't trust a Zilla with it. You really should get a proportional thermostat like a herpstat

http://spyderrobotics.com/

IF your budget doesn't allow for a proportional thermostat, I would recommend this. the hydrofarm thermostat has a good track record, but should be replaced with a better thermostat when possible.

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

You should be able get a good thermostat dialed in to work with the hatchling tubs and the adult tubs.

What size/wattage flexwatt are you planning on using?

What exactly do you mean by "pinched"?

you don't need to go out of your way to ventilate the flexwatt. My cages don't provide any ventilation for the flexwatt, and I haven't had any issues so far.

[Anthony Renna]

pinched like the shelf being directly against it, honestly not sure what wattage to use yet going to home depot on my day off monday.
Ok I will probably go with the herpstat, I'm saving enough by building the rack so I dont mind extra for the heating to be just right. How would I go about using only 1 probe to make sure all of my bins wont overheat?
Again sorry if these are dumb questions I'm used to using tanks with heatpads on a thermostat so flexwatt is kinda new to me

[The Serpent Merchant]

ok, well I would go with this:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/flexwat...pe-10-watt-ft/

Here is some good information of flexwatt

http://www.reptilebasics.com/flexwatt_faq

it is fine to put the shelf up to it, flexwatt it very thin and shouldn't cause any issues.

You have 2 options, you could build in a tub that doesn't have a snake in it. this tub will be used for the thermostat probe. by placing the probe in a tub set up exactly like the rest but without a snake you can minimize the risks of the probe getting moved around. with this set up, you would set the thermostat to 90 degrees.

your other option is to attach the probe to one of the strips of flexwatt. (I would attach it to one of the center strips) in this case you will have to figure out what temperature the flexwatt needs to be to achieve the proper hot side temperatures.

[Anthony Renna]

Hmm I like the idea of using a hatchling tub to regulate the temps

[kitedemon]

Just remember how well a heating system works depends on the ambient air temps. Racks become (in my experience) problematic to hold ambient and cool end temps at or below 75º. I would also recommend an oil heater for the room as the way racks work they do much better in stable warm room temps. Many here suggest to use a T-stat for the oil heater as well, something that will take a big drain like a ranco or johnson.

[Anthony Renna]

Just remember how well a heating system works depends on the ambient air temps. Racks become (in my experience) problematic to hold ambient and cool end temps at or below 75º. I would also recommend an oil heater for the room as the way racks work they do much better in stable warm room temps. Many here suggest to use a T-stat for the oil heater as well, something that will take a big drain like a ranco or johnson.

Lucky me I'm going to be with my parents 1 more year and we've already got that so we'll have a nice stable room for the rack. what kind of room temp would be good to have the rack in

[suzuki4life]

NO!!!!!!!!!

put the heat tape on a dimmer switch.
Buy a pyrometer. Set the highest temp found to 95 degrees max. (temp will vary greatly across a strip of flewatt.) This ensures you are not maxing out the heat tape load capacity. You use the thermostat to set max temp in the tub.(eg: probe goes in tub)

Placing a probe ON a single area of a piece of tape is ensuring that one section does not overheat and burn. The odds of you selecting the one area that will burn is VERY HIGHLY unlikely.

Using a thermostat like this is like putting a single smoke detector in one area of a school. It might work, but too large of an area to cover effectively.

[kitedemon]

Dimmers only work if the room temps are absolutely stable. If they are not they don't work well. I agree the flexwatt is variable and racks are more an 'average' system. I have never had dead on temps top to bottom. I would say that a failsafe on a second spot is a needed bit of safety gear.

Generally a room temp should be 79-81 I would say 80ºF personally.

[suzuki4life]

Dimmers only work if the room temps are absolutely stable. If they are not they don't work well.

what?
A dimmer regulates the tape to only receive a certain amount of power PERIOD. POWER = temp. If you set the dimmer properly, they work right. If you think you will use the dimmer as a thermostat, you are asking for troubles. The dimmer is used to keep the temp from running at max power. The thermostat should be used to keep the tape itself from continuously running. In a proper setup, the tape should be turning on an off many times an hour and not in a continuous "on" position.