Issues w heat in my rack

[jmiles50]

So, I got a new 3 tier rack from C Serpents. I'm having issues w consistent temps. I notice my lower 2 tiers run hotter than my top one. I'm keeping an eye on temps w the probe, and checking specific temps w my heat gun. The probe says all of the heat tape is running the same temps, but when I check inside the tubs when the first tub is at around 90 the bottoms 2 are getting up towards 100. Any suggestions or does anyone else run into this issue?


J.Miles

[6spdrt]

I had the same problem. .. First of all I rewired the heat tape into parallel circuit instead of having that one long strip runs from top to bottom in an "S" shape. It helped keep the temps more closet in range but my top tier was still much cooler. Reason being. ... The two bottom tiers both have heat coming from the belly as well as the heart from the heat tape above. The top tier only had hat coming from the belly. Easy solution. Get an under track heater that's roughly equivalent to what the rack has(in Mt situation I used an 11"X 6" from the bean farm). Place it on top of the rack (tape it down) go to home Depot and get done of that hat resistant mold resistant insulation stuff that had the foil on one side and Set it on a thermostat at the same temp as the heat tape and your set. You'll have consistent temps through out the rack. If the ambient air is real cold in the room in winter is get some of that insulation stuff and cover top, back and sides of the rack with it and it will keep your ambient air temps warmer.

[6spdrt]

Damn the auto spell check on my phone sucks sorry for all the typos

[jmiles50]

All good brother! I really appreciate the reply!


J.Miles

[satomi325]

Cserpents states on their website that they use Flexwatt heat tape. Flexwatt is notoriously known for inconsistent hot spots and temps throughout the tape.

I suggest replacing the Flexwatt with THG heat tape, which does produce consistent-even heat.

[blkstrliner]

i have a reptile basics 4 tub rack. i will not keep ball pythons in the top tub because the difference in heat from the other three tubs is about 10 degrees. I think this sucks major ass.

Since i know absolutely nothing about wiring or anything electrical, i just keep a rosy boa in the top tub. This sucks majorly because it is like i bought a 4 tub rack but can only use three tubs for my ball pythons.

Im pretty sure reptile basics racks use flex watt.

[6spdrt]

The UTH above the top of the hot side of the rack will solve this problem. Rewiring into parallel circuit helped a little but what really did the trick was that UTH placed on top of the rack right above where the heat tape is on the lower shelf. Don't forget to cover it with the insulation or else the heat will just rise into air and it won't work. I used a Hydro farm thermostat to control the UTH on top of the rack. You can buy one on Amazon for around $30. They have a 2 degree swing and is an on/off type but does the job well in this case.