heating tape for rack system questions

[candyraver69]

So I have been doing some reading online about heat tape because that seems to be the generally accepted way to heat racks. I figured out instructions for how to wire them up and all that which I am pretty confident about since I've done some wiring of different things before.

The part I am unclear about is how much to use per enclosure. If I don't do big enough pieces I will have to re-wire everything to add more and it will look like a spider web of wire. I don't want so much that it's turning on and off every 5 seconds because it's way too much for a small enclosure or it takes up too much of the floor space and there isn't enough of a cold spot. What is a good portion of the bottom of the tub to have the tape on, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5? I will be using a thermostat so it wouldn't be running non-stop.

[DeesBalls]

I am looking at the same things.... so far, all the videos i have seen says to put it covering 1/3 of your tub...

hope this helps just a lil bit

[candyraver69]

yes that does help thank you.

[Lankyrob]

Not sure about tape as never used it but the recommendation with heat mats is that they cover 1/3 of the bottom of the enclosure.

[DeesBalls]

Looks like 1/3 is your answer

What type of rack are you getting?

[candyraver69]

I was probably going to build it, it looks pretty easy.