Heat tape question

[skimo281]

I'm almost done putting together my homemade rack and pretty much just need to set up heat. It's going to hold 18 tubs and my plan was to run 6" heat tape across each shelf which comes out to around 34', but will be a little shorter to leave room on each side. My question is at what point will you start to lose efficiency? It seems like running that much heat tape there is the possibility of each shelf having a different temperature. Any help is appreciated as I haven't been able to find the answer myself lol.

[Oxylepy]

Depends on how the rack is built, how you're running the heat tape, etc.

My own rack is pre-built. It's fully enclosed on all but the front, the tape is 3" and recessed. Temperatures are pretty stable, and my herpstat probe is taped to the start of the tape.

[skimo281]

I'm still debating if I should put a back on the middle section or leave it along since there is a wall there anyways. Basically the two ends would 12 total and the length of tape would be around 19" while the middle would hold 6 with around 26" tape. Again I'm not sure if I should cut the heat tape all the same length or if that would even have an effect on it. The tub will sit directly on the tape as that's how my previous build is and I've had zero issues with it. My main concern is with running this much tape, will every level be putting off the same amount of heat?



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[Oxylepy]

Different sized shelves could create abnormalities on temperature. If each shelf is the same size, and has the same setup (top, bottom, sides, the same dimensions as the other shelves) and the heat tape is the same size on each shelf, they can all be run together with little problems.

So from the looks of it the middle could be on one controller, and the sides could be on another (they seem about the same size).

6 inches sounds a bit excessive for heat tape, as it may affect thermoregulation. I'd recommend making sure the tape doesn't occupy more than 1/3 the side the 6" is parallel with (so 18" or more could easily take the 6" tape).

Another thing you might consider with your setup is 11" tape along the back wall, although my experience has been primarily with belly heat and many keepers and breeders seem to work with it.

As a note, though, my tub depth is about 30" and it's using 3" tape, a few inches forward of the back wall of the tubs, with no problems at all.

[skimo281]

1/3 of the tub was like 5.3 inches so I figured I could slide the tub a little forward but 4" tape might be better. I already have a VE200 and the tape and connector set is already over 100 bucks so I'd prefer not to have to buy another thermostat lol. Now that I think about it I should be fine just putting 16" strips on each shelf and the THG website says you can run 50' of 3-4" tape per thermostat so I would assume I'm fine. I really like to overthink things and make them more complicated than they are haha

[Oxylepy]

Understandably so. But as a heads up, if the strips of heat tape are the same size, you can run multiples off the same thermostat. It would be wise, however, to keep as many variables the same for each tub, though. Same size strips, same dimensions of shelf space, same tub size, and same wall coverage (avoid open backs or sides).

Ideally all variables are the same as with most commercial rack systems. The shelves are all the same size, tubs are all the same size, the heat strips all have the same coverage, etc. You can get away with some differences (double wide tubs, for instance), but you want to minimize those differences.

If the whole thing is open front and back, leave it that way, if the sides havr backing but the middle doesn't, get backing for the middle.

With a wider middle than the sides, be careful with probe placement. If you put the probe on a middle shelf, the sides may be too hot, if you put it on a side shelf the middle may be too cold. But most importantly, make sure all the heat tape sections are the same length, otherwise the power sent to one will be different than the power sent to another. If it's all one giant strip you should be fine.

Be careful with wattage, with so much length you need to make sure your thermostat can handle it (if it's a 500w thermostat and each foot of strip uses 5 watts, that's about 100ft of heat tape maximum, going less is better)