Building a ball python rack

[Ax01]

as i am sitting here looking at how thin the heat tape actually is i don't think using a router to make a groove will work. Its like 1/16 of an inch thick.

i think a groove for the heat tape is alot of extra work for a DIY rack. the groove would be really shallow and u would probably need to build a jig for consistent depth. this is not something i would freehand. i guess u can use dado blades on a table saw as well (but i'm not sure how effective they are at that shallow depth).

Also, my tubs have a bulge around the outside of the bottom of the tank, about 1/2 wide all around. Do you guys think that this 1/2 touching the heat tape directly on each side would be alright? if it would that would leave a very nice 1/4 inch air gap across the width of the tub to vent. What do you all think? think this will work?

that's fine. just as long as u can reach your optimum temps.

also, is there any kind of tape or something i could put on heat tape for the tub to slide on? I feel like the 1/2 of the tub on each side will eventually wear down the tape. thanks!

just use foil tape: https://www.lowes.com/pd/3M-1-88-in-...C-Tape/4009603 just tape down the sides of the heat tape over the copper part and u should be able to push and pull your tubs in and out seamlessly.