heating herp racks - Page 2

ashleynicole · 11-26-11, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millertime89

I thought you said you already had a UTH or two? use those for the time being on the bottom two racks, or the bottom and the third or middle or something.
I'm gonna have reptile basics wire the flexwatt up for me when I place my order on Thursday of this week.

we have not built a rack yet, we have 7 snakes in individual tanks with UTH's. I am asking for when we build our racks since when the snakes get bigger, 10 gallon tanks aren't going to cut it. I have one in a 20 gallon long and our BP is in a 55 gallon.

**millertime89** · 11-26-11, 08:53 PM

yeah, just keep using the UTHs you have now when you build the rack. Just make sure to provide a bit of an air gap between the heater and the tub.

edit: UTHs are pretty much just flexwatt in a nice presentation.

snake man12 · 11-26-11, 08:53 PM

With the cable you snake it around the hot side. [no pun intended

ashleynicole · 11-26-11, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millertime89

yeah, just keep using the UTHs you have now when you build the rack. Just make sure to provide a bit of an air gap between the heater and the tub.

edit: UTHs are pretty much just flexwatt in a nice presentation.

yes... but we are planning on getting more snakes, that's why we are building the rack!

**millertime89** · 11-27-11, 02:36 AM

what else are you getting? You can spider several identical output heating elements with identical enclosures with snakes that need very similar husbandry requirements to one thermostat. For example, when I get my rack built hopefully next weekend. My retic and my two boas will be in the same sized enclosures with the same heating elements and will all be on one thermostat while my BP will be on another.
The reason I ask is you've currently got 6 colubrids and one BP. I don't know about the milk and king, but the 4 colubrids can for sure be on the same thermostat provided their heat elements and enclosures are the same size.

candyraver69 · 11-27-11, 08:53 AM

Flexwatt isn't as intimidating as it sounds. There are maximum amounts you can use per run that can be found usually on the pages you buy it, but just in case here is a link to an instruction sheet with max feet and instructions for you: http://www.beanfarm.com/heating/flexwatt_userinfo.pdf
http://www.beanfarm.com/heating/Flexwatt_Wiring.pdf
http://www.beanfarm.com/heating/Flexwatt_connectors.pdf
http://www.beanfarm.com/heating/Flexwatt_parallel.pdf

The important keys to using it are not using too long of pieces all on one wire, using the proper guards and connectors they sell on the sites with them if you are not skilled at soldering and using electrical tape, and then using the right gauge cord. Then when using it with your tubs/rack/etc it's just like any premade heating pad- don't get it wet, don't smash it between a surface and viv with no airflow at all, etc.

I have basic wiring skills and was able to do a very complex flexwatt system for my racks far beyond what is show in those diagrams. If you would feel comfortable wiring speakers to a home theater system, you can handle flexwatt. It is equally as complex.

edit: oh and it's probably worth investing in the special $60 crimping tool meant for crimping the flexwatt connectors if you aren't soldering. The connectors are hard to clamp down into the heat tape with normal pliers properly.

**millertime89** · 11-27-11, 05:08 PM

thanks for those links candyraver.