rack setup question

[Matt]

quick question, i wanna know what people prefer.

when you set up a rack with flexwatt do you prefer to put the heat tape running underneither the rubbermaids, or along the back wall, so its not touching the rubbermaid?

I was told that the latter was alot safer..

any comments?

[Tim_Cranwill]

Snakes would benefit more having the heat on their bellies. It makes it easier for them to digest food.

[sSNAKESs.com]

under is better if you can recess the tape... all running it along the back does is boost the ambient temps?! i dont see how that can make a hotspot on the floor for digestion?

[smart_ask]

I build my racks with the shelves 1 1/4" shorter than the sides then run the flex watt up the back wall. After the flex watt is installed I cut a 1" thick piece of aluminumized duct board to cover the back then finish cover that with backing material (paneling). The aluminum finish seems to reflect the heat back toward the containers and animals and the duct board core is fireproof fiberglass insulation. I always use an inline slide type lamp dimmer to control the temp of the flex watt.

[Jeff_Favelle]

I use both and they both work better for their own purposes. It all depends on the objective and variables.