6 quart Sterilite shoebox rack questions

[Meerna]

I was at Walmart yesterday and happened to walk by the storage bins. They have the sterilite 6 quart shoebox they sell in 3's that stack on top of each other. I was wondering if I could use these as an inexpensive way to make a hatchling rack for when the time comes and I have babies to house. I would plan on using heat tape, but I don't know if the plastic is too thin for it, or the best way to run it (along the back or woven through the shelves) or if they would even be secure enough. I could always add a latch to them to secure the shelves if need be, but I've never worked with heat tape before. I'd like this option better than buying a hatchling rack, because I don't plan to have more than one clutch at a time for the next couple years at least.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Yes you can use them, most of us do.
I did change to the shorter 3 quart ones a while ago.
As far as using heat tape and the plastic being too thin.....
Think about it. If you are using regulated belly heat. Do they melt in your car? Its hotter in there.
I use back heat and have never had a problem.

[Meerna]

Alright, I wasn't sure. How do you set up the back heat? Pictures would be a big help on that for me.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Back heat is just as you are probably thinking. It runs up an down the inside of the back of the rack.
It does run a lot hotter on the tape as you are now heating the ambient air and not just a surface.