Heating and Thermostat help needed.

[k1ingdomKaa]

I have currently a dimmet hooked up to 2 heating pads.(zoo med)
I have a rack that measures 11 1/2 inches deep, and 28 inches wide.
the rack has 3 shelves. and 3 12 qt tubs.

even tho my dimmer keeps the temps at 87-90 at all times, i want to be ensured the safety of my animals and go with a thermostat.


I have about 110 give or take, to spend on heating.

what do you suggest i get?

I was thinking maybe some flexwatt x long 11 inches wide?

and a thermostat, id preffer a proportional but if you think i can do just as good with a on/off. then i can do on off.

please help asap as i am going to be ordering tonight

[dsirkle]

www.reptilebasics.com could supply you with a wired up Ranco or Johnson Controls thermostat and wired up flexwatt for the money that you have.Or wire it yourself for less.You dont have enough money to go with a proportional thermostat. The on and off ones will do fine for you.You could just plug your existing heat into a thermostat also.No real need for flexwatt.

[k1ingdomKaa]

how much better is flexwatt then zoomed?

[dsirkle]

You already have the zoo med. May as well stick with it. They both will put out the same heat that the thermostat is set to. If you had nothing and had to buy something the flexwatt is cheaper and takes less space.

[k1ingdomKaa]

im gonna get some flexwatt when i order my helix dbs 1000 i managed to round a few extra bucks up

[k1ingdomKaa]

If i plan to go to lowes or home depot, what do you suggest i get wood wise to make a rack, i think i may use my makeshift walmart rack for something else. I need the cheapest way to make a rack that holds anywere from baby balls in 12qt tubs to adults in larger tubs, however big larger tub would need to be. also middle sized tubs, pretty much 3 tub sizes small 12 qt, medium 34qt?, and large xqt. i want the maximum amout of tubs to be able to fin in it.
my budget is about $90 for now. because im getting the helix stat. after i build the rack, i will purchase the flexwatt. and have the stat, the pastel will arive shortly after, and ill be set for the rest of my snake keeping days!

[wolfy-hound]

I'm not sure what you are asking.
If it were me getting ready to build a rack, I'd find the sizes of bins first, and see if I could find bins all the same height. Otherwise, your rack will need different size heights between shelves, or you'll only be able to use ONE size bin in it, instead of several.
OR, you can build it with the top shelf made for small bins(maybe two across?) and the middle shelf for medium bins, and the lower two or three for larger bins?
Wood type? 2x2s or 2x4s and plywood? Use 1/2inch, good quality? or melomine?

[JoshJP7]

I built my custom enclosures out of cabinet grade plywood. I paid 25$ for a 4x8 sheet which is enough for 1 4x2x1.5 cage... In terms of a rack... check out sears... I paid 80$ for a 5 tier shelving system that works like a champ... For the work and time your gonna put into building one... Id personally just buy one... Mine is just like this just not as long... i believe mines 4ft long and this ones 5... With these you can adjust the shelving so it would work nicely with different sized tubs.... As far as heating... i think if you go with 11inch flexwatt u may need a bigger tub. I use 60qts and 11inch flexwatt covers just about 2/3 of the bottom.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=storage+shelf

[k1ingdomKaa]

i definatly wany to make it myself. Is flexwatt going to make the tubs raise up any? i know my zoomed ones do a whole lot!
Also il check the hights, there sterl lite 12qt i think ill just make it just for the 12 qts. there 5 2/8 inched high.

[k1ingdomKaa]

i definatly wany to make it myself. Is flexwatt going to make the tubs raise up any? i know my zoomed ones do a whole lot!
Also il check the hights, there sterl lite 12qt i think ill just make it just for the 12 qts. there 5 2/8 inched high
hell, storage bins arent too expensive, what size
i need plans for small and medium sized ball python tanks, im open to plan ideas.