Heat Tape or Heat Cable?

[hunter4life]

Okay, so I'm building a rack system and going to a reptile expo today, I planned on buying heat tape but I'm just curious about heat cable? And what would be better? It will most likely be a 8 rack system, 6 of the shelves will have 50 quarts for Ball Pythons and 2 other shelves will hold 28 quarts (two per shelf) please let me know! :)

[Starbuck]

ive never used either of these; but i know heat tape is used very frequently (whereas i dont know anyone who uses heat cable). i would imagine heat tape gives you a slightly wider 'hot spot', where as with heat cable it is a single 'point' of heat. all that being said, if youre using thermostats, id go with whatever you prefer, whatevers cheaper... etc.

[hunter4life]

Thanks Starbuck! I went with heat tape an I've gotten something ordered and gonna get some heat tape from work tomorrow!

[exwizard]

I actually use both because some of my racks are 2nd hand. In my experience with these racks, flexwatt heat tape is safer, less prone to failure and much more effective than heat cable.