Survey of heating your racks

[Eric Alan]

It just seems wider would be more efficient. Also, not everyone can justify having a reptile room. I know I was looking at racks, but decided against because of the narrow heat tape. For a smaller tub it's fine . just not a 41qt in a house heated to 70ish.

If smaller tape works well, then wouldn't going larger than necessary also be inefficient?

Heat tape is just not intended to raise ambient temps of the enclosure. Its purpose is to provide surface heat in a localized area. IMO, 70 is too cool of an ambient temperature regardless of how wide of a hot spot that's being provided.