Any problems with tubs sliding over heat tape?

[Trackstrong83]

I've seen some DIY racks that take measures to where the tubs don't slide over the heat tape, but is it that much of an issue? I plan on building another rack that uses belly heat (my current one uses back heat) but if I tape down all of the 4 sides with aluminum tape with the tubs sliding directly over the tape, would it be an issue over time? ill be using 1 foot sections of 12" THG heat tape for each level. Has anybody had issues over time because if tubs sliding over the tape?

[DooLittle]

I haven't had any issues. I have flex watt on mine. And that new stuff feels evens sturdier too.

[Trackstrong83]

I haven't had any issues. I have flex watt on mine. And that new stuff feels evens sturdier too.

Thank ya
Yeah I'm a huge fan of that new THG tape, I use it as back heat currently and it's very,very even on heat distribution.

[MarkS]

I've heard that the constant sliding of the tubs over exposed heat tape can eventually wear through the plastic coating and expose the elements but I don't remember any instances where that's actually happened.

[Robyn@SYR]

The concern is that friction from sliding tubs may wear through the laminate over time. It is thickest at the point of the buss bars, and you certainly wouldn't want that exposed. You don't have to wear all the way through the laminate to necessarily damage the buss bar area, and since that is the part carrying the current, you do want to be protective of it.

Ideally, your rack setup would have a very slightly recessed area for the heat tape to run, but I understand that is often not the case.

It is always wise to inspect your heat tape setups at least once a month. Check for proper probe placement and security, heat tape wear, creases, make sure it is secured to the rack well (taped down), etc.

We have used heat tape at Pro Exotics for 20 years, it wasn't unusual to replace different sections/runs each season. Not the same sections, just throughout the facility, a few times a year you would find a section that had been damaged or otherwise compromised, and would need to be replaced.

[kitedemon]

I would suggest with THG has an up and down. The sample I was given had been mistreated by postal services and shows a corner that is delaminating. I would be proactive and the place the side with the copper bus down. (so Made in Korea is not backwards)

One side is larger than the other and the short side is what started to peel.

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[Rickys_Reptiles]

You can always get the absolute thinnest PVCX sheet you can find and put it on top so that you won't be rubbing directly over the heat tape

[kitedemon]

I never put two and two together, thanks Ricky. I used PET sheets a while back as sides on a drawer bottom they would work well too and come in very thin and inexpensive sheets. I think it would stand up.

The thickness is as small as 0.00048 inch to 0.014 inch.

[Coleslaw007]

Here's what I did. I cut small strips of vertical blinds, just big enough to cover where the tub edges slide. It's worked great, they plastic is very thin.

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